Director, Research Systems

Job Description (Director-level Technical Leader | Principal-Engineer Profile | 30–50% Hands-On Coding)

Responsibilities
- Accountable for the impact of Research Informatics systems on end-to-end drug discovery lifecycle (scientific insight, data quality, research productivity).
- Define informatics strategies/solutions using deep knowledge of drug discovery workflows and scientific decision-making.
- Set priorities based on scientific value, patient impact, and enterprise benefit; accountable for outcomes.
- Devote ~30–50% time to hands-on production software development (writing/reviewing/maintaining production code).
- Author core services/shared libraries/foundational components for Research Informatics platforms.
- Review PRs and technical designs; provide code-level feedback and architectural guidance.
- Own technical quality, system reliability, and long-term maintainability; senior technical escalation point.
- Independently design/implement solutions from concept to deployment/adoption.
- Write production-quality C#, MVC, ASP.NET, and SQL; integrate in-house systems with vendor biological/chemical informatics tools.
- Create architecture documentation/technical standards; make pragmatic decisions for regulated pharma environments.
- Lead team via technical mentorship/code reviews plus people leadership; set expectations for rigor, scientific understanding, and accountability.
- Oversee full software lifecycle (requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, change management); drive Agile delivery.
- Translate scientific needs into technical solutions; identify capability gaps; improve processes/operational maturity.
- Partner cross-functionally (Research, IT, others) to shape informatics strategy across programs/therapeutic areas; influence infrastructure/digital innovation/emerging tech decisions.
- Represent externally via publications/presentations/professional engagement.

Qualifications
- Demonstrated senior technical leadership with active hands-on production coding.
- Ability to lead through technical contribution, architectural ownership, and engineering judgment.
- Strong C#, MVC, ASP.NET, SQL; integration with scientific informatics platforms/vendor solutions.
- Deep understanding of drug discovery and research informatics.
- Familiarity with modern informatics technologies (data systems; hybrid cloud/on-prem).

Required
- Degree in Computer Science/related field with pharmaceutical/life sciences industry experience; OR
- Bachelor’s + 12+ years relevant experience; OR
- Master’s + 10+ years; OR
- PhD + 8+ years.

Preferred
- PhD in Chemistry/Biology/related.
- First-hand drug discovery researcher experience in biotech/pharma.
- Proven ability to translate research into scalable, production-grade informatics solutions.

Benefits
- Salary range: $226,185.00–$292,710.00; may be eligible for discretionary bonus and stock-based incentives; paid time off; benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

Application instructions
- For current employees/contractors: apply via Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.