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 Operations **Job Sub** **Function:** Laboratory Operations **Job Category:** Professional **All Job Posting Locations:** Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium **Job Description:** **About Innovative Medicine** Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine We are searching for the best talent for **Senior Laboratory Data Automation Architect, R&D Therapeutics Discovery** in Beerse, Belgium. The Laboratory Data Automation Architect acts as the keystone of automation projects, ensuring that scientific workflows, hardware deployment, software development, and systems integration are all aligned, defined, and interoperable within Johnson & Johnson’s laboratory infrastructures. This role combines scientific acumen with expert-level capabilities in automation design, platform management, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver integrated, scalable, and compliant automation solutions across modality agnostic Therapeutics Discovery. **Key Responsibilities** Architectural leadership + Design and govern scalable, robust automated scientific workflows that span hardware, software, data, and networking layers. + Define critical data entities and data flows to enable seamless transitions between disparate components and future-ready extensions. + Establish and promote best practices for API/SDK usage, data models, and integration standards across internal and external tools. Program and project execution + Lead end-to-end automation initiatives from concept through deployment, validation, and ongoing optimization. + Align projects with strategic objectives, timelines, budgets, and risk management in a global, matrixed environment. + Define and maintain platform roadmaps, governance, change control, and documentation. Hardware and software integration + Identify and select instrumentation and software solutions based on scientific merit and ease of integration. + Capably orchestrate the integration of lab instrumentation, high-throughput systems, robotics, ELN/LIMS, MES/OT, and data analytics platforms. + Oversee system integration, including scheduling software, middleware, APIs, and data exchange protocols. Data management, security, and compliance + Ensure data quality, lineage, traceability, security, and compliance (IT/OT security and relevant standards). + Implement proactive monitoring, diagnostic tools, and maintenance regimes to minimize downtime and risk. + Develop runbooks, validation plans, and documentation to support audits and inspections. Vendor and ecosystem engagement + Engage with hardware and software vendors to define standards, roadmaps, and interoperable solutions. + Communicate industry standards to drive external development toward aligning with J&J needs and the broader industry. Leadership and collaboration + Lead and develop global, cross-functional teams (engineering, IT, data science, research, and operations) in a matrix setting. + Foster an automation-centred culture, supporting internal & external staff, and promoting continuous learning. + Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners to accelerate impact. Innovation and capability building + Stay current with emerging automation technologies, data architectures, and analytics methods. + Explore opportunities in cloud, edge, AI/ML, digital twin, and advanced analytics to enhance scientific workflows. Documentation and knowledge management + Maintain comprehensive architecture diagrams, specifications, standards, and training materials. + Ensure available, accessible documentation for users, operators, and support teams. **Required Qualifications** + Education: Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, life sciences, or a closely related field. + Experience: 10+ years in R&D automation and platform management. + Domain expertise: Proven track record deploying and operating advanced automation platforms in laboratory or research environments; familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and analytical techniques. + Systems & integration: Broad experience with robotics, high-throughput screening, LIMS/ELN, data management systems, and end-to-end system integration (scheduling software, APIs, middleware, data exchange). + Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead global, matrixed teams and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. + Communication: Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. + Governance & quality: Familiarity with validation, change control, documentation, machine safety and regulatory considerations relevant to life sciences (IT/OT security). + Fluency in English, both written and oral **Preferred Qualifications** + Industry exposure: Experience in pharmaceutical research, biotech, or medical device environments + Technical breadth: Knowledge of LIMS/ELN systems, data visualization, and analytics toolsets; experience with programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java; scripting for automation. + Cloud and data: Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and data orchestration/workflow tooling. + Data governance: Strong understanding of data integrity, lineage, security frameworks, and scalable data architectures. + Soft skills: Strong analytical mindset, problem-solving agility, and a collaborative leadership style. **What Success Looks Like** + High-availability, scalable automation platforms with measurable improvements in throughput and data quality. + Clear, standardized data models and workflows that enable seamless collaboration across sites. + Reduced integration friction, lower maintenance costs, and faster time-to-delivery for scientific programs. + Strong vendor relationships and an active pipeline of external developments aligned with J&J needs. + A thriving, skilled team with clear career progression and a culture of continuous improvement. **Required Skills:** Application Programming Interface (API), Cross-Platform Development, Data Engineering, Programming Languages, Robotic Automation **Preferred Skills:** Critical Thinking, Data Management and Informatics, Epidemiology, Ethical and Participant Safety Considerations, Inventory Management, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Safety, Mental Agility, Preclinical Research, Problem Solving, Process Improvements, Research and Development, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Strategic Thinking, Technical Credibility, Vendor Management