Engineering Fellow - Automation & AI

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. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world.  We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual.  At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function:

Automation Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America

Job Description:

"We have a pre-identified candidate for this role. However, other qualified candidates will be considered on case-by-case basis."

At Johnson & Johnson Vision, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health. That is why, through our operating companies, we have developed solutions for every stage of life—to help people see better, connect better, and live better. We partner with eye care professionals to provide some of the world’s leading products and technologies to address refractive error, cataracts, dry eye, and beyond. We are committed to using our reach and size for good and strive to put quality eye care within reach of everyone, everywhere. Visit us at www.jjvision.com. Follow @JNJVision on Twitter and Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advanced Technology, this Fellow will own the medium- and long-term Automation and A.I. technology roadmap for JNJ VISION global manufacturing and engineering organization. The role is primarily strategic and influential, this person shapes direction, defines standards, builds ecosystems, and mentors the next generation of technical talent. Hands-on prototyping and proof-of-concept work is expected as a means of validating strategy, not as primary output.

This role operates in a regulated medical device environment; candidates must be comfortable navigating applicable regulatory requirements for deploying automation and AI systems.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Technical Direction:

• Define and own the medium-and long-term Automation & A.I. technology roadmap, aligning with the Engineering, R&D and Supply Chain organizations’ strategic goals.

• Anticipate industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory shifts; translate them into actionable opportunities or risk assessments.

• Define feasibility and technical direction for new and convergent technologies, including generative AI, computer vision, digital twins, and autonomous systems.

• Provide authoritative recommendations on build vs. partner vs. buy decisions for major technology investments.

• Translates complex technical landscapes into clear, actionable direction for the business.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Develop and maintain engineering standards and guidelines for automation design, ML model lifecycle management, and A.I. deployment in regulated environments.

• Provide technical direction and oversight to project teams implementing complex, innovative technologies.

• Define the architectural standards for data pipelines development across existing and emerging manufacturing technologies, ensuring pipelines are scalable, auditable, and compliant with applicable regulatory requirements.

• Establish framework for integrating data streams for new equipment and sensing technologies.

• Communicate technical trade-offs and strategic recommendations clearly to both technical and executive audiences.

• Willing to challenge prevailing assumptions and advocate for unpopular but technically sound positions.

• Builds consensus and alignment across functions, sites, and external organizations without formal authority.

• Ensures all technical work observes and promotes applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, ISO, BSI, or equivalent) proactively identify and escalate deviations.

• Recognized as an expert, earns influence through depth of knowledge, not hierarchy.

Ecosystem & Partnership Development

• Build and maintain an extensive JNJ VISION internal network while cultivating new external partnerships with academia, OEM suppliers, research institutes, and standards bodies.

• Lead and grow Communities of Practice in Automation and A.I. influences both internal and external peers.

• Represents JJ MedTech Vision externally through external participations in conferences and standards committee engagement.

Talent & Knowledge Development

• Apply principles of Knowledge Management to capture, codify, and disseminate engineering expertise across the global organization.

• Actively mentor senior engineers and provides technical coaching to accelerate the growth of the engineering community.

• Maintain an elevated level of personal technical competency, models continuous learning for the broader team.

Qualifications:

Education/Training:

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years with a B. Eng/B.S. degree OR twelve (12) years of industrial experience with a M. Eng/M.S. degree in Computer/Data Science, Engineering, OR a Ph.D. degree

• Preferred: MA/MS/MBA in equivalent fields

Required:

• Significant experience in high-volume automated manufacturing or highly regulated production environments (medical device, pharma, aerospace, or similar).

• Track record of defining and delivering complex, multi-year technology programs.

• Proficient in one or more of Python, Go, Java, Allen Bradley/Studio 5000, TwinCat – sufficient to prototype and validate technical concepts.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, proven ability to influence without authority across organizational boundaries.

• Familiarity with regulated industry requirements (FDA, BSI, ISO, or equivalent) as the relate to software and automated systems.

Preferred:

• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization technologies at an architecture and governance level.

• Experience establishing and governing MLOps practices across organization, including model serving, workflow orchestration, and pipeline management.

• Background in reliability engineering, process automation, or digital manufacturing initiatives.

• Experience with observability and monitoring frameworks in production A.I. and automation systems.

• Proven track record in experiment design and data-driven decision making for operational or product improvement.

• Experience leading or contributing to industry standards development relevant to automation or A.I.

Other:

• This position may require up to 25% of domestic and international travel.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Case Modeling, Compliance Risk, Consulting, Design Mindset, Emerging Technologies, Industry Analysis, Innovation, Lean Supply Chain Management, Machine Learning (ML), Management Systems Implementation, Mentorship, Process Improvements, Prototyping, Quality Assurance (QA), Robotic Automation, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Application

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$150,000.00 - $258,750.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year

Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child

Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year

Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days

Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year

Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year