Associate Director, Lab Automation & Intelligent Orchestration

Johnson & Johnson • Spring House, PA

32d • Onsite

About The Position

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for an Associate Director, Lab Automation & Intelligent Orchestration. This position will be located on-site in Spring House, PA (Philadelphia area), and may require up to approximately 10% domestic and/or international travel. We are seeking a strategic, hands-on leader to build the next generation of AI-native automation platforms within Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology that leverage intelligent orchestration, and advanced analytics to scale human-relevant biology and multimodal omics data generation. The Associate Director will establish lab-in-the-loop capabilities that generate high-quality biological data at scale, accelerate learning cycles, and enable predictive AI-driven drug discovery. The successful candidate will bring expertise in laboratory automation, AI-driven orchestration, and systems integration, coupled with a strong understanding of drug discovery, complex cellular models, and omics technologies. They will drive strategic roadmaps, lead cross-functional initiatives, and deploy scalable experimental platforms that increase speed, enhance reproducibility, and unlock new opportunities for AI-enabled discovery.

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent experience in Engineering, Bioengineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline
• At least 6 years of relevant experience developing and scaling laboratory automation, experimental platforms, or advanced technology solutions within drug discovery
• Strong understanding of drug discovery workflows, complex human-relevant biological models, and multimodal data generation approaches, including omics technologies
• Deep expertise in laboratory automation, robotics, instrument integration, and workflow engineering, with experience designing and scaling complex experimental platforms
• Experience building automated workflows that integrate experimentation, data generation, analytics, and digital systems
• Knowledge of AI-ready data architectures, metadata frameworks, and multimodal data integration strategies
• Demonstrated success translating emerging technologies into scalable research platforms and leading technical teams in a highly matrixed organization

Nice To Haves

• Experience implementing lab-in-the-loop experimentation, AI-enabled workflows, agentic AI, intelligent orchestration, and autonomous experimentation
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across biology, engineering, data science, informatics, and technology
• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies into scalable scientific capabilities and business impact
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled experimental workflows, agentic AI systems, workflow orchestration, or scientific computing platforms
• Strategic thinker with a science-to-impact mindset, capable of translating emerging technologies into scalable discovery capabilities and communicating effectively with both technical and executive audiences
• Innovative, self-motivated leader with strong collaboration, prioritization, and problem-solving skills who thrives in fast-paced, highly matrixed environments
• Proven ability to lead through influence, drive organizational change, and build productive partnerships across internal teams, external collaborators, vendors, and technology providers

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic roadmaps and investment priorities for AI-native experimental platforms that enable scalable experimentation, multimodal data generation, and AI-driven discovery
• Lead the evaluation, adoption, and scaling of transformative technologies, including robotics, autonomous experimentation, agentic AI, and intelligent orchestration, to accelerate learning cycles and discovery outcomes.
• Design, deploy, and scale automated platforms supporting human-relevant models, multimodal data generation, and advanced omics workflows
• Build lab-in-the-loop capabilities integrating automation, AI/ML models, analytics, and intelligent orchestration to accelerate experimentation, learning cycles, and predictive modeling
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across biology, data science, AI/ML, informatics, engineering, and discovery organizations to align platform development with scientific priorities and accelerate AI-enabled discovery
• Build strategic partnerships with technology providers, automation vendors, academic collaborators, and contract research organizations (CROs) while serving as a thought leader driving adoption of next-generation capabilities across the organization
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of automation engineers, scientists, and technical specialists while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Strengthen organizational capabilities in automation, AI, and experimental science through talent development, coaching, and a culture that promotes innovation, learning, and scientific excellence

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
• consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
• Vacation – up to 120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – up to 13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager