Research Scientist

Rockwell Automation is a global technology leader focused on helping the world's manufacturers be more productive, sustainable, and agile. With more than 28,000 employees who make the world better every day, we know we have something special. Behind our customers - amazing companies that help feed the world, provide life-saving medicine on a global scale, and focus on clean water and green mobility - our people are energized problem solvers that take pride in how the work we do changes the world for the better.

We welcome all makers, forward thinkers, and problem solvers who are looking for a place to do their best work. And if that's you we would love to have you join us

Job Description

Join Rockwell Automation's Advanced Technology Lab and help shape the future of industrial safety. Your research will directly influence global standards and make automation smarter and safer for people everywhere.

Our Advanced Technology (AT) Lab is the corporate-level research hub responsible for identifying, assessing, developing, and transitioning advanced industrial automation and information technologies to support Rockwell's future strategic goals.

We are seeking a Research Scientist specializing in functional and dynamic safety to collaborate with senior leadership, business units, and peer researchers. In this role, you will explore multidisciplinary engineering challenges—spanning electrical, firmware, software, and systems engineering—and deliver innovations that shape industrial safety worldwide.

You will report to the RESEARCH LAB MANAGER, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY and have a hybrid schedule working in Prague, Czechia.

We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply—even if you don't meet every requirement.

• Conduct research and develop prototypes addressing functional safety challenges, focusing on:
• Protocol and hardware simplification
• Faster response times and improved availability
• Enhanced user experience and robust operation
• Standardization and toolkit development
• Perform literature reviews, hands-on experimentation, demonstrations, and documentation.
• Identify and document intellectual property opportunities.
• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for functional/dynamic safety within Rockwell's research team.
• Represent Rockwell Automation on internal and external committees, including national and international standards boards.
• Support technology roadmaps and front-end assessments to guide product development.
• Collaborate across business units to transition early-stage technologies into real-world solutions.

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields. (PhD preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of relevant research or engineering experience in functional/dynamic safety.
• Legal authorization to work in Prague, Czech Republic.
• Proficiency in written and spoken technical English.

• Strong background in statistics and probability analysis.
• Experience with functional safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508, IEC 62061, ISO
• Knowledge of Ethernet/IP-based automation protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, OPC UA).
• Familiarity with safety protocols such as CIP Safety, PROFIsafe, FSoE, OPC UA Safety.
• Exposure to emerging areas: dynamic safety, collaborative robotics, safety sensors (laser, radar, lidar), AI/ML safety applications, autonomous vehicles.
• Programming proficiency (Python, C/C++, Java, Rust, Matlab, etc.).
• Experience with PLCs and IEC languages (ladder logic, structured text).
• Early-stage technology development and transfer experience.
• Published papers, conference presentations, and business engagement.
• Proficient in spoken and written Czech (preferred).

Our benefits package includes …

• Volunteer Paid Time off available after 6 months of employment for eligible employees.
• Company volunteer and donation matching program – Your volunteer hours or personal cash donations to an eligible charity can be matched with a charitable donation.
• On-demand digital course library for professional development
• Comprehensive mindfulness programs with a premium membership to Calm
• Employee Assistance Program
• Personalized wellbeing programs through our OnTrack program

... and other local benefits

At Rockwell Automation we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this or other roles.

Rockwell Automation's hybrid policy aligns that employees are expected to work at a Rockwell location at least Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays unless they have a business obligation out of the office.