Robotics Software Manager

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine • Boston, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is a critical technical and people-leadership position within Robotics R&D, combining deep hands-on expertise with strategic ownership of software architecture, execution, and quality. The Robotics Software Manager is accountable for defining, building, and sustaining robust, scalable, and safety-critical software platforms that meet clinical, user, and regulatory requirements. Working closely with systems, robotics, hardware, clinical, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory partners, this role ensures that software solutions are architected and executed to meet system-level performance, safety, and reliability objectives. This position requires a technical leader who can operate effectively in a highly regulated, multidisciplinary robotics environment, while mentoring teams, driving innovation, and enabling predictable, high-quality delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 7+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded software for medical devices.
• Deep expertise in embedded C/C++ development, including low-level drivers, middleware, and application-level software.
• Expertise in Microsoft .NET development framework and Window based applications.
• Strong experience with real-time embedded systems, including RTOS-based environments (e.g., QNX or similar real-time operating systems).

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience developing software for Class II and/or Class III medical devices.
• Strong understanding of software and systems engineering principles and product development lifecycle (e.g., V-model, waterfall, Agile).
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, Polarion).
• Familiarity with test automation tools and scripting languages (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle development of embedded software subsystems for surgical robotic platforms, from early concept and prototyping through verification, release, and post-market support.
• Define, own, and evolve the embedded software platform and architecture, ensuring scalability, real-time performance, safety, cybersecurity, and long-term maintainability.
• Establish technical direction and software roadmaps aligned with product strategy and system evolution.
• Ensure software designs are compliant with system requirements, user needs, intended use, hazard mitigations, and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with systems engineering, robotics, hardware, clinical, usability/human factors, quality, and manufacturing teams to translate user needs into clear, testable, traceable software requirements.
• Lead and participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, and cross-disciplinary technical trade-off discussions.
• Collaborate on the design and implementation of safe, intuitive user interfaces with human factors and clinical teams.
• Support regulatory submissions, audits, inspections, and DHF completeness in partnership with quality and regulatory affairs.
• Establish and own DevOps strategies appropriate for regulated embedded robotics, including: Continuous Integration (CI) with automated builds, static analysis, and test execution; Controlled release pipelines aligned with design controls and change management; Source control, branching strategies, and configuration management for safety-critical products.
• Lead adoption of automated unit-testing, integration, and system-level testing to improve quality and delivery predictability.
• Champion metrics-driven development (build health, test coverage, defect trends) to drive continuous improvement.
• Lead software FMEA activities, define and verify effective risk mitigation strategies, and ensure software safety levels align with system requirements and applicable risk controls.
• Contribute to hazard analysis, risk management, and design controls in accordance with medical device regulations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable medical device software standards (e.g., IEC 62304) and internal quality processes.
• Investigate non-conformances, deviations, and test failures; drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions.
• Lead software planning and execution across development phases, including prototyping, design, verification, validation, and release.
• Support design transfer, manufacturing readiness, and product launch activities.
• Participate in complaint investigations, post-market surveillance, and controlled software updates.
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing embedded software team.
• Identify project critical paths, proactively manage risks, and facilitate cross-functional problem solving.
• Support resource planning, staffing, and schedule estimation.
• Communicate risks, opportunities, and execution status clearly to senior leadership.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate business-related issues, risks, and opportunities to senior management in a timely and effective manner.
• Interface with regulatory, quality, and manufacturing teams to support audits and inspections.
• Responsible for communicating business-related issues or opportunities to next management level.
• For those who supervise or manage a staff, responsible for ensuring that subordinates follow all Company guidelines related to Health, Safety and Environmental practices and that all resources needed to do so are available and in good condition, if applicable.
• Responsible for ensuring personal and Company compliance with all Federal, State, local and Company regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Performs other duties assigned as needed.
• Identify critical paths during product development, address bottlenecks and risks and facilitate problem solving across R&D teams.
• Support project resource and schedule planning.

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 period
• 10 days Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees