Robotics Technology Deployment Steward (Drug Substance)

Roche • South San Francisco, CA

2d

About The Position

The Robotics Technology Deployment Steward is a member of Roche’s Drug Substance Technology Deployment Group within Global Manufacturing Science and Technology. The role connects central technology strategy with manufacturing operations at global production sites, supporting technology scouting and turning strategy into practical, value-driven proofs of concept and standardized robotics and automation deployments. The position works closely with the Robotics Technology Strategy Lead and site teams to resolve operational challenges and shape the global robotics roadmap.

The steward leads cross-functional proof-of-concept teams and makes data-backed recommendations on whether technologies should be scaled, changed, or stopped. The role also manages the end-to-end deployment lifecycle, including post-CAPEX industrialization planning, IT/OT integration, and operational handover to local sites. Deployment work may include preparing site integration packages such as URS and CQV/CSV documentation. The position is based primarily in Basel; the posting does not specify a work arrangement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 6 years of relevant hands-on industrial experience in robotics integration, complex automation deployment, or manufacturing engineering within pharmaceutical/biotech or another highly regulated industry.
• Direct involvement in major CAPEX project lifecycles and exposure to CQV.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and drive multi-site project deployments without direct hierarchical authority.
• Practical understanding of IT/OT integration layers such as SCADA and MES.
• Basic data and coding literacy, such as Python or SQL, to evaluate system performance metrics and support data-informed decisions.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills, with a track record of completing projects.
• Demonstrated experience deploying targeted automation solutions in the Drug Substance domain.

Nice To Haves

• Additional education or certifications in Business Administration (such as an MBA), Change Management, or Systems Engineering.
• Data processing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Drug Substance liaison for manufacturing sites, identify operational bottlenecks, assess local challenges from a global network perspective, and support scouting for robotics and automation solutions.
• Partner with the Technology Strategy Lead to shape the global/network robotics roadmap, execute operationally, provide technical expertise, and represent site feasibility perspectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams across MSAT, Engineering, Quality, IT/OT, and Operations to design, execute, and assess rapid, ROI-driven proofs of concept.
• Provide data-backed recommendations to scale, pivot, or stop technologies based on business value.
• Drive post-CAPEX industrialization plans and oversee cross-functional IT/OT system integration, including systems such as SCADA, MES, and digital twins.
• Manage operational handover by preparing site integration packages, including URS and CQV/CSV, to support transition to local site operations.
• Deploy targeted Drug Substance automation solutions, with examples including AMRs for heavy mobile logistics, automated fluid transfer, robotic aseptic sampling, and automated single-use system manipulation.

What This Job Offers

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