Site Robotics Strategic Lead

Novartis is hiring a Site Robotics Strategic Lead in Durham, United States. It pays $109k-$202k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Novartis.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Works on AI ●●●○: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
The posting mentions Computer vision, robotics and automation among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a lead role.
Novartis has 849 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Drive the strategy, evaluation, and deployment of advanced manufacturing robotics and physical AI solutions across site operations.

Computer vision

computer-visionroboticsautomationmanufacturingstrategic-planninggmp

Job Description Summary

Help shape the future of manufacturing through robotics innovation. As the Site Robotics Strategic Lead, you will drive the strategy, evaluation, and deployment of advanced robotics technologies that enhance productivity, accelerate innovation, and support operational excellence across manufacturing operations. Working with global stakeholders, vendors, and site teams, you will transform emerging technologies into scalable, GMP-compliant solutions that deliver measurable business value.

Job Description

Location:

This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain the site robotics technology strategy aligned with manufacturing and business objectives.
Define and harmonize robotics standards, requirements, and roadmaps across shared work centers.
Own and maintain User Requirement Specifications (URS) for robotics technologies and platforms.
Lead evaluation and deployment of emerging robotics solutions, including computer vision and physical AI.
Translate innovative technologies into scalable, site-ready solutions that deliver measurable value.
Manage the robotics technology catalog, ensuring accuracy, readiness, and governance of approved solutions.
Assess vendor capabilities and partner with Procurement to select and manage strategic suppliers.
Drive pilot programs and technology adoption through collaboration with site and global stakeholders.
Present roadmap progress, technology recommendations, and project outcomes to leadership forums.
Ensure robotics solutions comply with GMP, GxP, cybersecurity, and quality system requirements.

Essential Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
7+ years of experience in industrial robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing environments.
Proven experience leading robotics or automation projects from concept through deployment.
Strong knowledge of robotics systems, automation architectures, and manufacturing technologies.
Experience developing technical standards, URS documentation, and technology roadmaps.
Understanding of GMP, GxP, validation, data integrity, and quality system requirements.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive technology adoption.
Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 annually

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

#LI-Onsite

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$108,500.00 - $201,500.00

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Cost Management, Decision Making, Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Compliance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Vendor Management

How we rate this

Site Robotics Strategic Lead at Novartis rates 60 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Site Robotics Strategic Lead is an open job at Novartis.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The listed salary is $109k-$202k a year.
The role is based in Durham.
The job was posted on September 25, 2026.
Seniority: lead.
Applications are handled by Novartis. Apply on Novartis

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Computer visionRoboticsAutomationManufacturingStrategic PlanningGmp

Questions you could be asked

Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
Tell me about a project where robotics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where strategic planning was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Computer vision, Robotics, Automation, Manufacturing, and Strategic Planning. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.

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