R&D Manager – Automation & Robotics
Location: Pasadena, TX
Reports To: Director of Engineering / VP of Technology
Confidential privately held automation and engineering company developing robotic systems, fluid handling technologies, and automated workflow platforms for industrial and laboratory environments.
Position Summary
Lead development of next-generation automation systems involving robotics, fluidics, motion control, and integrated electromechanical platforms. This role oversees projects from concept through commercialization while driving innovation across automation technologies and scalable system design.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design and development of robotic, fluidics, and automated handling systems
- Manage projects through prototyping, testing, validation, and launch
- Drive innovation in liquid handling, precision dispensing, and workflow automation
- Integrate robotics, controls, machine vision, and software into scalable platforms
- Partner with operations, manufacturing, quality, software, and commercial teams
- Lead troubleshooting, design reviews, performance optimization, and root cause analysis
- Build and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Manage technical roadmaps, budgets, priorities, and external partnerships
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field
- 7+ years developing automation, robotics, or fluidics systems
- Leadership experience managing engineering teams or technical programs
- Strong knowledge of robotics, motion systems, sensors, controls, pumps, valves, and precision dispensing
- Experience with PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, CAD, and machine vision
- Background in laboratory automation, life sciences, diagnostics, food testing, or industrial automation preferred
- Commercialization of new automation platforms
- Improved throughput, repeatability, and reliability
- Reduced manual labor dependency and process variability
- On-time execution of engineering and development milestones