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Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead/Surgical Robotics - OTTAVA

Johnson & Johnson MedTech · Santa Clara, CA

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Level
Technician
Team
Controls
Base pay
$142k–$215k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
8+ years
Industry
Medical devices
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level controls role at Johnson & Johnson MedTech (medical devices) in Santa Clara, CA.

They ask for
8+ years · degree required
Tools it names
PLC, Robotics, Automation, MES
Base pay
$142k–$215k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k. This one lists $142k–$215k.

Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 118 manufacturing technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 11 other live controls postings in California.

Experience asked
More than usual (8+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Automation 75%
  • ✓ Robotics 50%
  • ✓ PLC 42%
  • Tooling 33%
  • Assembly lines 25%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 8+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Johnson & Johnson MedTech

    We found 5 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 4 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

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  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Santa Clara

11 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in controls roles at Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

All 12 roles at Johnson & Johnson MedTech →
Full description from Johnson & Johnson MedTechAs posted on their careers site.Show

Key Responsibilities

  • ◆Defining and leading the digital manufacturing technology strategy aligned with smart factory, Industry 4.0, and business objectives.
  • ◆Define measurable KPIs and track program impact, ensuring scalability across technical programs
  • ◆Serving as the principal technical assessor for digital manufacturing systems, including MES, Cloud platform, digital twins, advanced process control, Industry IoT, and manufacturing data platforms.
  • ◆Responsible for reusable architecture, standards, and technology roadmap implementations
  • ◆Driving the architecture, design, and deployment of connected manufacturing solutions that integrate shop-floor systems (equipment, PLCs) with enterprise platforms (ERP, PLM, analytics, cloud, WMS).
  • ◆Leading and mentoring a core team of engineers, providing technical direction, design reviews, and best-practice guidance.
  • ◆Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering, operation, quality, J&J Technology, cybersecurity, and other supply chain teams to deliver end-to-end, compliant digital solutions.
  • ◆Collaborate with J&J Technology team ondata governance, cybersecurity, and system reliability standards for manufacturing systems in a Medical Device regulated environment.
  • ◆Identifying and piloting emerging technologies (AI/ML, agentic AI, advanced analytics, digital twins, edge computing) to improve yield, productivity, quality, and time-to-market.
  • ◆Managing partners and system integrator relationships, including technical evaluations, solution selection, and delivery oversight.
  • ◆Stay ahead of emerging Industry 4.0 trends and recommend adoption where strategic advantage can be gained

Required

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or PhD preferred in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Automation, or a related technical field
  • ✓8+ years of experience in manufacturing systems, automation, or digital manufacturing, with senior technical leadership experience in Industry 4.0 environments.
  • ✓Deep hands-on expertise with MES platforms, manufacturing data architectures, IIoT integrations, and shop-floor-to-cloud connectivity.
  • ✓Demonstrated skill in applying Industry 4.0 methodologies, including IIoT, connected assets, digital twins, advanced analytics, and edge/cloud computing in manufacturing environments
  • ✓Strong understanding of smart factory concepts, digital twins, advanced process control, and data-driven manufacturing.
  • ✓Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs and influence without direct authority.
  • ✓Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executives.
  • ✓Skilled in evaluating emerging tec
Show full description ↓

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 jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function

Automation Engineering

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking an innovative Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead to spearhead the design, implementation, and optimization of our next-generation smart factory capabilities in support of the OTTAVA Surgical Robotic Platform.

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 https://www.jnj.com/ ( https://www.jnj.com/ .

About MedTech 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 https://www.jnj.com/medtech

Purpose

Johnson & Johnson RAD (Robotics and Digital) is seeking an innovative Digital Manufacturing Tech Lead to spearhead the design, implementation, and optimization of our next-generation smart factory capabilities. This role will drive technology strategy, oversee engineering execution, and champion digital transformation by leveraging Industry 4.0 methodologies, including advanced automation, data analytics, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), and AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.

The successful candidate will deliver scalable, sustainable, and intelligent manufacturing systems that improve quality, efficiency, and agility in production.

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