Director, Laboratory Automation

Johnson & Johnson

. Develop and execute the long-term laboratory automation and robotics strategy across development laboratories .

Posted 11/10/2026full-timeSpring House • Pennsylvania • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing laboratory automation strategies, integrating advanced technologies such as AI-enabled solutions, and leading cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and compliance within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Laboratory Automation Strategy DevelopmentAI-Enabled Equipment ControlIntegrated Laboratory Automation SystemsLeadership in Technical TeamsCompliance with Safety and Regulatory Requirements

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Automation EngineeringRoboticsLiquid Handling PlatformsOrchestration SoftwareAutomated OptimizationData IntegrationAdvanced AnalyticsLaboratory Scheduling SolutionsMulti-Workflow AutomationDigital Twin Technologies

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationStakeholder ManagementCollaborationInfluencing Across Matrix OrganizationsContinuous Improvement

Tools & Technologies

LIMSELNMESData LakesAnalytics Platforms

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Related DisciplineAdvanced Degree Preferred

Industry Keywords

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalHealthcareCell TherapyGene TherapyBiologicsAdvanced Therapeutic Modalities

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute the long-term laboratory automation and robotics strategy across development laboratories
Establish multi-year automation roadmaps aligned with organizational priorities and future-state digital laboratory ambitions
Drive adoption of innovative automation, robotics, AI-enabled automated equipment control, and next-generation laboratory orchestration technologies
Identify opportunities to accelerate learning, increase capacity, reduce cycle time, improve quality, and decrease manual laboratory operations
Lead design, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of integrated laboratory automation systems
Oversee end-to-end automated and orchestrated workflows across multiple platforms, including semantics and automation ontology
Drive architecture decisions for liquid handling, robotics, laboratory scheduling, orchestration platforms, and agentic and automated data systems
Lead evaluation, selection, and implementation of new automation technologies and strategic vendor partnerships
Ensure technical governance, standardization, scalability, resilience, cybersecurity, monitoring, backup/recovery, change control, and business continuity
Diagnose and resolve complex cross-platform automation failures spanning equipment, software, networks, infrastructure, and enterprise technology environments
Build and lead a high-performing organization of automation leaders, engineers, software engineers, robotics specialists, and laboratory scientists
Develop talent and succession plans and foster innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Provide leadership across multiple functional teams and matrix organizations
Partner with Digital & Technology and Data Science teams to establish connected laboratory ecosystems
Drive integration between laboratory automation systems, LIMS, ELN, MES, data lakes, analytics platforms, and AI-enabled solutions
Enable automated data capture, contextualization, visualization, and scientific insight generation
Support autonomous and self-optimizing laboratory capabilities
Ensure laboratory automation systems comply with safety and regulatory requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, Robotics, or related scientific discipline required
Minimum 10 years of relevant laboratory automation, engineering, scientific, or technology experience
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing technical and scientific teams
Experience implementing large-scale, orchestrated automation programs within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or healthcare
Minimum two years working with AI-enabled equipment control, with demonstrated direct experience with automated optimization and autonomous decision-making
Demonstrated experience developing and deploying multi-workflow, hands-free integrated and orchestrated laboratory automation systems
Experience with liquid handling platforms, robotics systems, orchestration software, and laboratory scheduling solutions
Experience integrating automation systems with enterprise digital and data platforms
Demonstrated ability to influence and lead across complex matrix organizations
Strong business acumen and ability to align technology investments with strategic outcomes
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or PhD) preferred
Experience supporting cell therapy, gene therapy, biologics, or advanced therapeutic modalities preferred
Experience with advanced analytics, automation digital twins, autonomous laboratory technologies preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Inclusive work environment
Equal Opportunity Employer
Interview process accommodations for applicants with disabilities
Flexible location between Spring House, PA and Malvern, PA (hybrid work arrangement)