Director - Principal Engineer, Digital R&D DP&TS Platform and Data Engineering
- United States - California - La Jolla
- India - Chennai
- United States - New York - New York City
- United States - Pennsylvania - Collegeville
- Global Any Pfizer Site
- United States - Florida - Tampa
- United Kingdom - Walton Oaks
- United States - Connecticut - Groton
- Greece-Thessaloniki Chortiatis
- Germany - Berlin
ROLE SUMMARY
Pfizer’s mission to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives is rooted in our commitment to science and innovation. Within Discovery, Preclinical, and Translational Solutions (DP&TS), we accelerate the journey from target identification to clinical translation by leveraging advanced digital technologies, AI, and data-driven insights.
We are building a high-impact, outcome-oriented platform engineering team focused on enabling scalable, secure, and resilient infrastructure and developer experiences. We are seeking a dynamic and technically accomplished Principal Engineer who will lead the design and development of platform and data engineering solutions that empower scientists to generate, analyze, and interpret complex biological and preclinical data at scale. You will be part of a team of well-rounded generalists who thrive on solving complex problems, automating everything, and driving innovation across cloud-native environments. This role is critical to building cutting-edge platform capabilities that power scalable secure, and innovative advanced analytics, machine learning, and data science across the R&D organization.
This role is not narrowly defined. We are seeking self-starters who take initiative, adapt quickly, and possess a diverse skill set. You will be expected to learn rapidly, collaborate effectively, and deliver impactful outcomes.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Senior Director of DP&TS Platform and Data Engineering, this role will define and deliver the platform design and architecture strategy that supports solution delivery, ensuring alignment with scientific goals, regulatory requirements, and enterprise digital strategy. You will lead a team of platform engineers and collaborate closely with product, data science, and Digital partners to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance capabilities. You will have direct reports with direct accountability for setting direction, deploying resources, and leading pay, performance, goal setting, and development discussions.
In this role, you will drive architectural decision, champion engineering excellence, and steer cross-functional collaboration to deliver resilient, high-impact solutions. This global role empowers you to shape infrastructure strategies, mentor technical talent, and influence product direction across regions and business units. You will also be a catalyst for DevSecOps adoption, embedding security and automation seamlessly into the development lifecycle to ensure trusted delivery at scale.
Key Responsibilities
Architect Scalable, Secure Data Platforms for Scientific Discovery: design and develop infrastructure that enables seamless ingestion, processing, and analysis of high-dimensional biomedical, omics, and clinical datasets; ensuring reproducibility, compliance, and performance.
Champion DevSecOps Across Research and Analytical Workflows: embed security and automation into development pipelines, ML model development, and platform operations to ensure privacy, compliance, security and traceability.
Foster Collaboration Across Scientific and Engineering Teams: bridge domain and technical expertise to align platform capabilities with research goals. Cultivate shared understanding and agility across integrative biology, computational research, and engineering teams.
Influence Technical Direction and Cross-Functional Alignment: shape engineering roadmaps and advocate for cohesive platform strategies that balance innovation, risk management, and business priorities.
Govern Platform Standards and Lifecycle Accountability: establish and uphold platform design standards, lifecycle policies, and governance models that maintain flexibility and scalability without compromising control or integrity.
Uphold System Reliability and Analytical Accuracy: oversee platform health through robust observability, automated testing frameworks, incident response strategies, lifecycle governance, service level agreements, and audit trails that meet regulatory, compliance and industry principles (GxP, FAIR, etc.)
Advance Responsible Innovation and Domain-Specific AI Adoption: identify emerging technologies and champion thoughtful experimentation with AI/ML techniques while ensuring transparency, interpret ability, and ethical data use in R&D contexts.
Lead and Mentor Talent in Platform Engineering: guide engineers and scientists in best practices, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to build future-ready data and analytical platforms. Lead and grow a high-performing team of software and infrastructure engineers. Foster a culture of continuous learning, elevating technical excellence, and shaping leadership potential.
Govern Platform Lifecycle and Scientific Data Stewardship: define standards and stewardship models for managing diverse research assets; balancing agility, traceability, and compliance throughout discovery lifecycles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or related discipline)
8+ years of experience of hands-on infrastructure and software engineering experience
Architecting scalable cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
Building and securing data pipelines and infrastructure supporting advanced analytics and machine learning
Leading DevSecOps initiatives in regulated environments (e.g., GxP, HIPAA)
Proficiency in Python, Typescript, Java, or other modern high-level language
Expertise in infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, Helm) and CI/CD (e.g., GitHub Actions)
Deep understanding of modern data architectures (e.g., lakehouses, distributed systems)
Demonstrated experience in working with regulated data, compliance frameworks, and secure development practices
Ability to lead complex engineering efforts across global, cross-functional teams
Fluent in English; capable of clear technical communication across scientific and engineering disciplines
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Master’s or PhD in in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or related discipline)
Experience supporting pharmaceutical R&D, life sciences, or computational biology
Familiarity with biomedical data standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR, CDISC) and FAIR data principles
Proven success in designing AI/ML platforms for scientific discovery or clinical research
Strong record of mentoring and growing engineering talent in high-complexity domains
Thought leadership in platform strategy, ethical AI adoption, and responsible innovation
Experience influencing cross-functional decisions, especially at the intersection of science and technology
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Travel up to 10% may be required for business activities.
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Pfizer Digital
Pfizer Digital takes immense pride in being at the forefront of innovation, harnessing cutting-edge smart technology that profoundly impacts the lives of our patients.
With the transformative potential of digital solutions, we revolutionize how we discover, develop, and deliver medicines, enabling us to achieve breakthroughs faster and more efficiently.
By streamlining and automating transactional processes, we create valuable time and resources, empowering our talented team to focus on meaningful work that truly makes a difference in healthcare and beyond.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)