Global Engineering & Automation Leader

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal.

The Global Engineering & Automation Leader leads the centralized Deliver engineering function across J&J Med Tech, partnering closely with regional and site engineering teams to drive automation, equipment strategy, and operational technology integration across the global distribution network. The role defines and executes engineering strategies for large‑scale distribution center (DC) projects, including greenfield and brownfield builds, automation deployments, and equipment lifecycle upgrades, while ensuring alignment with enterprise technology architecture and compliance standards.

• Lead development and execution of global Deliver engineering strategies for DC automation and equipment systems.
• Drive end‑to‑end engineering programs from concept through implementation, go‑live, and operational stabilization.
• Partner with regional engineering teams to deliver standardized, scalable solutions across the network.
• Oversee engineering work streams for greenfield and brownfield DC projects and lead design, specification, and deployment of automation and material handling equipment.
• Ensure successful implementation and operational handoff for major capital projects.
• Define operational requirements and support deployment of Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) for automated environments.
• Enable integration of automation systems with enterprise platforms and support knowledge transfer and long‑term system sustainability at site level.
• Partner with J&J Technology (JJT, ISRM) to ensure seamless integration into enterprise systems and align engineering solutions with cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure adherence to system validation standards (CSV, SDLC) and serve as escalation point for critical operational or system issues.
• Lead relationships with key automation and equipment vendors, driving vendor performance and delivery excellence across projects.
• Provide leadership across cross‑functional project teams and steering committees, establishing governance frameworks for engineering programs and capital projects.
• Develop engineering capabilities across global, regional, and site teams, building standards, training materials, and a center of excellence for Deliver engineering.
• Support audits (Cyber, IT, Quality, SOX) and ensure compliance readiness, contribute to budget planning, and participate in talent acquisition and workforce planning initiatives.

• 10+ years of experience in engineering, automation, or distribution systems.
• Proven track record in warehouse automation and material handling systems, large‑scale capital project execution, and equipment specification, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and lifecycle management.
• Experience working within regulated environments (GMP, medical device, pharma). Preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related technical field) required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Deep expertise in distribution center automation, robotics, and material handling systems; strong knowledge of control systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA, WCS).
• Experience with Computer System Validation (CSV) and SDLC processes; strong vendor management and capital project leadership capabilities.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional, global teams in a matrix environment; strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Preferred:
  Six Sigma certification; experience with high‑throughput automated distribution or manufacturing environments.

Location:

NA or EMEA (Tier 1 Deliver sites or regional HQ). Travel: ~10–25% (domestic and international).

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us via  or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource. If you are under 18 years of age, you may need to obtain the necessary working papers or other documentation required by state law to start the assignment, as well as get a parent’s consent for the background check.