director, aida r&d ai innovation engineer

As the Director of Research & Development (R&D) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Engineering, you will be a thought leader and subject matter expert in the design and delivery of Pfizer R&D AI applications, driving the creation and delivery of innovative solutions to complex problems in the research and development pipeline. 

Your role will involve leveraging an environment of experimentation to influence direction, identifying multiple solutions and innovative options to solve uniquely complex problems with long-term effects on R&D. You will exercise foresight and judgment in initiating and guiding complex projects in unprecedented situations.

In this position working alongside AIDA R&D AI and Data Science leaders, you will help shape and steer the overarching vision and strategy for AI and Data innovative advancements in support of R&D, prototyping new technologies to address challenges and seize opportunities. You will collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners, aligning efforts to achieve business objectives and meet customer needs.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans for groundbreaking AI/ML and innovation products and utilizing data and customer insights to inform decision-making. Your strong background in AI product creation and expertise in taking products from ideation to delivery using automation and modern practices will be essential. You will thrive in managing complex, uncertain environments, driving ideas to products and focusing on impactful outcomes.

Collaboration and partnership to achieve business objectives and meet customer needs will be key to this role’s success. You will build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including Client Partners, the AI Center of Excellence, Platforms and Products teams, and the R&D Creation Center, ensuring alignment with broader organizational strategies.  

This role demands a passion for scaling technology initiatives and working in a fast-paced, try-destroy-retry environment within the domain of Research and Development. Your unwavering commitment to accomplishing ambitious goals that will propel the company forward will be instrumental in driving innovation, efficiency, and success.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Influence the product roadmaps for data science and creation centers, focusing on developing and maintaining robust, scalable AI capabilities.
• Stay on the forefront of technological advancements in the biopharma and life sciences space.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with researchers, software engineers, and data science teams to create tools that better integrate research and practices.

Technical Vision and Strategy

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the long-term technical platform vision, ensuring alignment with the overall technological vision and objectives.
• Drive continuous innovation and the adoption of new research and AI technologies to improve product experiences.
• Technical Excellence: Maintain a standard of technical excellence, ensuring adherence to best practices in architecture, machine learning, and platform utilization.

Trust and Security

• Foster a culture of trust and ethical AI practices, contributing to a team committed to deploying secure, state-of-the-art AI solutions that comply with global data protection and privacy standards.
• Develop proof of concepts (POCs) and provide a blueprint for implementation.

Problem-Solving

• Utilize AI/ML solutions to address complex, real-world challenges, applying theoretical knowledge to create and improve practical, impactful products and services.
• Focus on accelerating delivery, moving the broader team forward, and gamifying innovation.
• Lead by example and recognize success and failure.
• Partner Collaboration: Collaborate with partner organizations to develop frameworks, data foundations, and architectures supporting the strategic vision.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS required  
• 10+ years of demonstrated progressive experience in AI/ML, Software Engineering, or Statistics. 

Leadership Experience:

• 5+ years in technology leadership roles, including experience leading engineering or data science teams.
• Demonstrated success in guiding and managing sizable, multifaceted technology teams.
• Expertise in Research and Development Innovation:
• Deep understanding of research and development domains with a focus on innovative technical delivery and thought leadership.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Exceptional communication ability, fostering effective collaboration and empathy with diverse organizational and external stakeholders.
• Ability to engage and motivate a distributed, mission-oriented technical team.

Business Acumen and Strategic Alignment:

• Proficient in aligning technology strategies with the organization's broader business goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates strong business insight.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Proficiency:
• Robust analytical skills coupled with the ability to effectively and efficiently solve complex technology challenges.
• Works within budget constraints to deliver innovative ideas with clear delivery milestones.

Multidisciplinary Team Experience:

• History of working with and understanding the unique needs of organizations and teams across multiple disciplines.
• Demonstrates a commitment to appreciating cultural, structural, and technical diversity.

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid