Site Robotics Lead

This role is based in Schaftenau. Novartis is able to provide relocation support only for candidates relocating within Europe. Please apply only if this location and relocation requirement are feasible for you.

The Site Robotics Lead will lead the robotics transformation of the Drug Substance manufacturing site in Schaftenau, Austria, driving the development, implementation, scaling, and lifecycle management of robotics solutions across manufacturing, laboratories, warehousing, and material handling. The role combines robotics expertise, strategic leadership, program management, and stakeholder engagement to enhance productivity, quality, safety, and operational excellence while ensuring GMP, validation, and cybersecurity compliance.

Major Accountabilities

• Develop and execute the site robotics strategy and roadmap, identifying high-value automation opportunities and defining long-term robotics initiatives.
• Lead robotics programs end-to-end, from opportunity assessment and business case development through implementation, deployment, and value realization.
• Own the full lifecycle of robotics solutions, ensuring sustainable operations, maintenance, optimization, upgrades, and replacement planning.
• Evaluate, select, and deploy robotics technologies, including AMRs, AGVs, material handling robots, service robots, AI-enabled robotics, and emerging Physical AI solutions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, laboratories, warehousing, engineering, quality, IT/OT, and global robotics experts.
• Establish robotics governance, standards, and performance monitoring, ensuring scalability, reliability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Ensure regulatory and operational compliance, including GMP requirements, validation, qualification activities, cybersecurity standards, and inspection readiness.
• Build site robotics capabilities and external partnerships, acting as the site's robotics subject matter expert.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Robotics, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• Total 10-15 years of experience and minimum 5+ years of demonstrated experience in robotics, with hands-on implementation and deployment of industrial robotics solutions.
• Proven expertise in robotics technologies such as AMRs, AGVs, automated material handling systems, robotics automation, and vision-guided systems.
• Experience leading robotics or automation programs/projects from concept through implementation and operational support.
• Strong leadership experience, including leading cross-functional teams, small teams, or matrix organizations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging both global and local business partners.
• Fluent German and English language skills, spoken and written.
• Strong understanding of industrial operations, safety, maintenance, and continuous improvement practices; exposure to GMP/pharmaceutical environments and AI-enabled robotics is preferred.

Additional Information

Primary location salary range: €79,951.00 - €140,500.00. Division: Operations. Business Unit: Information Technology. Functional Area: Data and Digital. Job Type: Full time. Employment Type: Regular. Shift Work: No.

Apply to Job: https://novartis.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Novartis_Careers/job/Schaftenau/Site-Robotics-Lead_REQ-10087271