Staff Engineer, Controls and Automation - MedTech Surgery

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 ;br>
Job Function:
R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:
R&D Electrical/Mechatronic Engineering

Job Category:
Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America

Job Description:

About Surgery

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we're developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that's reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world's most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at ;br>
We are searching for the best talent for a Staff Engineer, Controls and Automation. This role will be based in Cincinnati, OH and will work a Flex/Hybrid schedule with 3 days per week on-site. Relocation assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Purpose: The Staff Engineer, Controls and Automation will serve as a key technical contributor with respect to controls and automation of manufacturing lines for our new product development teams. Our team of scientists, engineers, and technical specialists are in the forefront of technology in the medical device industry, and we put this same passion into all we do, including our manufacturing lines. As a key member of this group, you will be making vital contributions bringing advanced Controls, Automation, Vision Systems, and SCADA/MES systems to life to deliver lifesaving medical devices to market thereby improving patient care through innovation. This role provides an opportunity to develop exciting new manufacturing systems delivering medical devices to the market.

You will be responsible for:

• Leads Automation and Controls strategy from concept with equipment vendor through IQ/OQ/PQ at the production plant. This includes working with vendors to deliver robust solutions with respect to all Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLCs, HMIs, Cognex/Keyence Vision Systems, and any MES/SCADA systems.
• The individual will guide the Product Development Team through automation specifications, requirements and validations of the entire manufacturing lines as well as providing guidance for TMV and GR&R issues related to automation.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and internal partners to deliver advanced automated manufacturing lines with outstanding metrics such as minimal downtime and minimal scrap.
• Participate in multi-functional discussions and design reviews, including product manufacturing at multiple scales (modeling, lab, pilot and manufacturing)
• Individual will have strong foundation in automation engineering, PLC/HMI programming, and control systems.
• Ability to design, troubleshoot, and validate GxP-compliant automated equipment.
• Proficiency in electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and P&IDs.
• Familiarity with ISA-95 / PERA architectures for IT/OT integration.
• Prior experience in medical devices, pharmaceutical, or other GxP-regulated industries.
• Strong documentation skills for validation protocols and QMS alignment.
• Experience leading FAT, SAT, and commissioning of automated equipment.
• Exposure to digital twin / data collection systems (e.g., WinCC, Ignition historian).
• Cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Manufacturing, and IT.
• Travel to manufacturing suppliers and manufacturing base up to 30%.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree is required; Advanced Degree strongly preferred. Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering field of study required.
• At least 8+ years relevant controls/automation engineering experience required (6+ with Advanced Degree).
• Experience in developing and validating test methods on an automated production line.
• Successful experiences in launching new automation lines delivering products to market.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver project outcomes in an ambiguous environment
• Requires experience managing self-directed work teams
• This position is based in Cincinnati, Ohio and requires up to 30% travel both domestic and international.

Preferred Technical Skills:

PLC/HMI

• Experience programming PLCs. (Preferably Allen Bradley)
  • RSLogix / Studio 5000 (ControlLogix, CompactLogix)
  • FactoryTalk View SE/ME (HMI design and distributed systems)
  • FactoryTalk Directory and Active Directory Integration
  • Knowledge of Stratix switch configuration (VLANs, QoS, NAT, IGMP snooping)
  • Experience with ThinManager-managed thin clients
• Experience programming Human Machine Interface (HMI).
• Proven problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with respect to electrical hardware and software.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN for reading, updating and troubleshooting equipment schematics
  • Servo motion control (Kinetix, Siemens drives, or equivalent)
  • Safety systems: GuardLogix, CIP Safety, ISO 13849/IEC 62061 familiarity
  • Networking: PERA architectures, Stratix managed switches, IGMP/VLAN configurations, cybersecurity hardening.

Machine Vision

• Experience programming and developing vision systems in both Cognex and Keyence.
  • Cognex VisionPro / In-Sight Explorer: Vision tool development, defect detection, TestRun
  • Keyence (XG-X, CV-X, LM series): Measurement applications, vision inspection, light micrometer programming
  • Integration of vision systems into Rockwell PLCs and SCADA

MES/SCADA

• Experience developing MES/Scada systems, Ignition experience a plus.
  • Ignition (Inductive Automation): Tag configuration, scripting, database integration, historian setup
  • Siemens Opcenter (MES): Recipe management, track-and-trace, electronic batch records, equipment integration
• Experience and knowledge of network and database design for production systems:
  • Industrial EtherNet/IP and Profinet communications
  • SQL / MS SQL database integration for historians, MES, and analytics
  • OPC-UA or MQTT connectivity and gateway concepts

Data Acquisition

• Experience and knowledge of network and database design.
  • Industrial Ethernet/IP and Profinet communications
  • SQL / MSSQL database integration for historians and MES
  • OPC-UA connectivity

Robotics

• Experience with FANUC/UR programming, debugging, path optimizing, and operating industrial and/or collaborative robots.
• Applying robotics for assembly, handling, or inspection in a production environment.
• Programming and operating collaborative robots,
• Performing quality control

AI/ML

• Designing, developing, and deploying AI models and systems by collecting and preparing data, writing code, and implementing algorithms.
• Responsibilities include creating scalable machine learning pipelines, optimizing model performance, and integrating AI solutions into production environments.

Networking

• Design, implement, and maintain a company's production network infrastructure to ensure it is secure, stable, and performs efficiently. Key duties include installing and configuring network hardware like routers and switches, troubleshooting network issues, managing network security.
• Ability to design, review, and maintain production network architectures in alignment with IT/OT cybersecurity standards.
• Familiarity with:
  • Network hardware configuration (routers, managed switches)
  • Network segmentation, VLANs, QoS, and secure remote access
  • Collaboration with corporate IT on ISA-95 / PERA aligned architectures

Additional Qualifications

• Experience successfully taking a manufacturing line through IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Certifications & Regulatory Knowledge
  • GAMP 5: Experience with validation and lifecycle documentation (URS, FRS, IQ/OQ/PQ, risk assessments)
  • 21 CFR Part 11 & Part 820: Understanding of electronic records, audit trails, and FDA compliance
  • Certified Automation Professional (CAP) - ISA or equivalent (preferred)
  • Rockwell Automation Certification (e.g., ControlLogix Programmer, FactoryTalk SE)
  • Ignition Gold Certification (preferred)
  • Siemens Opcenter or MES integration training (preferred)
  • Cognex Certified Vision Professional (CCVP) or A3 CVP - Basic/Advanced
  • Keyence Vision / Measurement certification (vendor training acceptable)

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.

#LI-Hybrid

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:
Analytical Reasoning, Calibration Procedures, Customer Service, Engineering, Goal-Oriented, Problem Solving, Process Oriented, Project Management, Research and Development, Robotic Automation, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Smart Systems, Technical Research, Technical Troubleshooting, Technical Writing, Technologically Savvy, Versatility

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :
$109,000.00 - $174,800.00

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)).

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

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: