Director, GBS, Forward Deployed Engineer
- United States - New York - New York City
Use Your Power for Purpose
At Pfizer, technology impacts everything we do. Our digital and ‘data first’ strategy is dedicated to implementing innovative and impactful technology solutions across all functions, from research to manufacturing. By digitizing drug discovery and development, identifying solutions, and making our work easier and faster, you will make a significant difference to countless lives. Your role in this digital transformation is crucial, helping streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive forward groundbreaking research and development. Join us in this mission to harness the power of technology for the betterment of global health.
Role Overview
The Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) is a hands-on technologist and trusted innovation partner to Global Business Services (GBS) —embedded at the intersection of global business processes, transactional data and enterprise technology. Operating within Pfizer Digital & Technology’s Enabling Functions (EF) Forward Impact Engineering team, this role translates bold ideas into working AI and data-driven prototypes that accelerate the way we discover, develop, and deliver innovative solutions.
FDEs work in small, mission-focused Pods aligned to specific EF domains such as Finance, GBS, PX and Legal/Compliance. Each Pod pairs an FDE with a Product Manager to co-own a domain’s innovation backlog—from idea intake through proof-of-concept delivery and transition to enterprise scale.
The ideal candidate brings a rare combination of engineering depth, creative problem solving, and business fluency. They are equally comfortable writing code, influencing senior leaders, and connecting across organizational boundaries. An FDE thinks like an AI architect, builds like a full-stack engineer, and operates like a strategic partner—driving measurable impact through technology that advances science.
Key Responsibilities
Prototype & Deliver Innovation
Rapidly design and build AI- and data-driven prototypes addressing high-value GBS use cases (e.g., predictive modeling, scientific data integration, knowledge assistants, document intelligence, or lab automation).
Collaborate with enterprise data, platform, and engineering teams to ensure scalability and secure handoff of validated solutions.
Apply best practices in software development, data science, and MLOps to deliver maintainable, well-documented prototypes.
Partner with GBS Leadership
Serve as the primary AI and technology thought partner for senior GBS leaders (VP/SVP level).
Translate scientific and operational pain points into technical opportunities with clear business value.
Influence decision-makers through demonstrations, storytelling, and measurable outcomes.
Shape the Innovation Backlog
Work with Product Managers to source, assess, and prioritize ideas in the GBS Innovation Backlog.
Conduct feasibility assessments and align solutions to enterprise architecture, data governance, and AI safety standards.
Help define success metrics, business cases, and transition plans for scaled adoption.
Enable Collaboration Across Digital & Technology & GBS
Build bridges between research scientists, enterprise Digital & Technology, data engineering, and AI platform teams.
Share learnings and reusable assets across Pods to accelerate innovation velocity.
Mentor emerging technical talent and help establish the culture of AI in service of science.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience in software engineering, data science, or applied AI, including 3+ years in a lead technical or product innovation role or Master's Degree and 7+ years of experience or PHD and +5 years of experience.
Proven ability to build working prototypes and AI applications using modern languages and frameworks (e.g., Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, FastAPI).
Deep understanding of data platforms, APIs, and cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Strong grasp of machine learning and generative AI concepts, including LLMs, NLP, and multimodal systems.
Excellent communication and storytelling skills; capable of translating complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and driving alignment in a matrixed, global organization.
Preferred
Experience in pharma or corporate finance computing environments.
Familiarity with regulated domains (e.g., GxP, SOX).
Track record of leading cross-functional innovation initiatives from ideation to adoption.
Contributions to open-source projects, technical publications, or patents in AI/ML.
Leadership Competencies
Entrepreneurial Builder: Takes ownership of opportunities, moving from idea to prototype with urgency and precision.
Strategic Partner: Inspires confidence and trust from senior leaders; comfortable in the boardroom and the codebase alike.
Connector: Bridges organizational and disciplinary divides with empathy and technical credibility.
Pragmatic Innovator: Balances bold experimentation with disciplined delivery and enterprise alignment.
Outcome-Driven: Measures success by tangible scientific or operational impact, not just lines of code.
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.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
n/a
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Travel up to 25% may be required for business activities.
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Last day to apply : December 30th 2025
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $156,600.00 to $261,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 20.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.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)