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

Job Function:

R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function:

R&D Software/Systems Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Santa Clara, California, United States of America

Job Description:

About 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 MedTech surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our MedTech 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.

Job Summary

What We Do:

The Strategic Robotics R&D team envisions a future for robotic intervention that is targeted, minimally invasive, and personalized. Building upon a deep understanding of patient and physician needs, we are developing a platform for the next evolution of soft-tissue robotic care.

Who We Are:

We are a team of mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, robotic controls, software, and clinical engineers who are passionate about improving patient care. The team includes a wide range of experience levels, from junior engineers to industry experts. We follow an iterative design approach to product development that requires us to collaborate closely across clinical, capital hardware, and instruments & accessories teams. We value autonomy and empower each other to take action while remaining a supportive and closely knit team. We take pride in our culture and are committed to building an environment that is inclusive and promotes diversity of thought through varied experiences and backgrounds.

You:

As a member of the Strategic Robotics R&D team, you will join us on our journey to design and build one of the world's most advanced medical robotic platforms. You will work alongside all engineering functions to make significant contributions to the mechanical design of our capital hardware, which includes (but is not limited to) custom actuator design, structural design, and sensor development. This role offers a high degree of autonomy and opportunities for growth within the team as we progress towards realizing our vision.

We are searching for the best talent for a Principal Robotics Software Engineer, located in Santa Clara, CA (on-site). 

A pre-identified candidate for consideration has been identified. However, all applications will be considered.

Performance Objectives and Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a focused multi-functional team developing robotic solutions for next generation medical robotic systems.
• Design, test, and implement software in a real-time, safety-critical environment.
• Develop extensible software archetypes by working with multiple Johnson and Johnson product software teams.
• Quickly implement concept proofs and prototypes, and test on systems.
• Participate in design discussions and code reviews.
• Influence inter-source software guidelines to develop software to be used across J&J's surgical robotics portfolio.
• Offer mentorship and guidance to varying levels of mechanical engineers.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related degree is required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8+ years experience with a bachelors or 6+ years experience with masters or 3+ years with a PhD developing sophisticated applications for complex systems is required.
• Deep knowledge of computer science fundamentals (e.g. algorithms, data structures, object-oriented design in UNIX environments) is required.
• Deep knowledge and experience of basic principles pertaining to distributed Robotics Software Architecture/Design is required.  Experience with ROS 2 is a plus.
• Proven hands-on experience designing and implementing software for robotic systems.
• In depth understanding of the C++ language programming and a breadth of technology experience using other languages such as Python and Rust.
• Familiarity with real-time software and DevOps.
• Driven to work smarter and not necessarily harder.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work in a regulated environment in compliance to ISO 13485 and 21 CFR 820.
• Ability to travel up to 5%, domestic and international.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $157,000 to $270,825.

Perks:

• Generous vacation and hybrid work policies.
• Commute assistance (Daily shuttle from SF, public transit stipend).
• Snacks, Lunch stipend for on-site cafeteria.
• 401(k) match and pension program.
• Healthy work/life balance (paid parental, family & volunteer leave).
• Strong culture that promotes inclusion, growth, and innovation.
• On-site fitness center (incl. group exercise classes) & fitness / well-being reimbursement.

The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs.  Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.  The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation’s performance over a calendar/performance year.  Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis.

Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.

Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

• 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.

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to:  https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits.

This job posting is anticipated to close on 12/5/25.  The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on https://www.careers.jnj.com to accept additional applications.

For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com. 

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

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Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Innovation, Mentorship, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Project Management, Report Writing, Requirements Analysis, Research and Development, Researching, SAP Product Lifecycle Management, Scripting Languages, Software Acquisitions, Software Development Management, Software Engineering Practices, Software Quality Assurance (SQA), Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Tactical Planning, Technical Credibility, Technologically Savvy

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$157,000 to $270,825

Additional Description for Pay Transparency: