Robotics Technology Deployment Steward (Drug Substance)

Roche • South San Francisco, CA

8d

About The Position

This role is within Roche's Pharma Technical Operations (PT), specifically in PT Global MSAT, Engineering and Sustainability (PTT). PTT is responsible for leading seamless industrialization and thorough technical management by integrating SHE, proactive maintenance, facility fitness, performance optimization, and scalable manufacturing technologies across the network. The Global Manufacturing Science and Technology (gMSAT) departments within PTT drive the implementation of advanced capabilities to modernize physical operations across Drug Substance (DS), Drug Product (DP), and Device, Packaging & Distribution (DDP) networks. The Technology Deployment Groups (TDGs) within gMSAT are strategic connectors that collect and assess operational "pains" and local innovations, bridging the gap between site realities and global network standards. The Robotics Technology Deployment Steward, as a vital member of the Drug Substance Technology Deployment Group, acts as the primary execution engine between central strategy and site-level manufacturing operations. This role supports technology scouting, translates strategy into proofs-of-concept (PoCs), and leads the roll-out of standardized robotics and automation solutions to address operational pain points globally.

Requirements

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant hands-on industrial experience in robotics integration, complex automation deployment, or manufacturing engineering within pharmaceutical/biotech or other highly regulated industries (e.g., semiconductor, aerospace).
• Direct involvement in major Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) project lifecycles.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and drive multi-site project deployments without direct hierarchical authority.
• Practical understanding of IT/OT integration layers (SCADA/MES).
• Basic data/coding literacy (e.g., Python, SQL) to evaluate system performance metrics and drive data-informed decisions.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills with a track record of project completion.
• Demonstrated experience deploying targeted automation solutions in the Drug Substance domain (e.g., AMRs for heavy mobile logistics, automated fluid transfer, robotic aseptic sampling, or automated single-use system (SUS) manipulation).

Nice To Haves

• Additional education or certifications in Business Administration (e.g., MBA), Change Management, or Systems Engineering.
• CQV exposure.
• Data processing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Drug Substance liaison for manufacturing sites, identifying operational bottlenecks and evaluating local challenges through a global network lens.
• Actively support the scouting for emerging robotics/automation solutions to drive standardized resolution.
• Partner closely with the Technology Strategy Lead to drive and shape the global/network robotics roadmap.
• Lead hands-on operational execution and provide technical expertise for the robotics roadmap.
• Consolidate and represent site feasibility perspectives for the robotics roadmap.
• Lead cross-functional execution teams (MSAT, Engineering, Quality, IT/OT, Operations) to design, execute, and evaluate rapid, ROI-driven PoCs.
• Provide data-backed recommendations to scale, pivot, or stop technologies based on business value.
• Drive the end-to-end deployment lifecycle, including post-CAPEX industrialization plans.
• Oversee cross-functional IT/OT system integration (e.g., SCADA, MES, digital twins).
• Manage the operational handover by preparing site integration packages (URS, CQV/CSV) to ensure a successful transition to local site operations.

Benefits

• Pay transparency details provided based on primary posting location (Basel). Compensation details for additional locations will be provided later in the hiring process.

What This Job Offers

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