Director, Oncology AI Product & Engineering Lead
- United States - California - La Jolla
- United States - Massachusetts - Cambridge
- United States - Washington – Bothell
- United States - New York - New York City
Pfizer Oncology is building an AI-first R&D engine where artificial intelligence is a foundational capability shaping how medicines are discovered, developed, and delivered to patients. We are seeking a Director, Oncology AI Product & Engineering Lead to own the translation of Oncology R&D needs into high impact AI products and solutions.
In this role, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of AI engineers and science focused technologists, define the Oncology AI product roadmap, and partner closely with scientific, clinical, digital, and enterprise stakeholders to identify opportunities for process automation / simplification and ensure solutions are adopted, scalable, and decision relevant. This role does not require hands on coding, but does require strong technical fluency, scientific credibility, and product leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the Oncology AI product strategy and roadmap across discovery, translational science, clinical development, and real-world evidence.
- Lead and manage a cross functional team of AI engineers, providing technical direction, prioritization, and coaching.
- Translate complex scientific and operational problems into clear AI product requirements, success metrics, and delivery plans.
- Partner with Oncology scientific leaders, clinical teams, Digital, Enterprise AI, and IT to ensure solutions are aligned with enterprise platforms and governance.
- Evaluate AI concepts, prototypes, and technical approaches, providing informed guidance and trade‑off decisions.
- Assess Oncology workflows to identify and propose opportunities for automation and process improvements.
- Drive stakeholder engagement, change management, and adoption, ensuring AI solutions move beyond pilots to sustained impact.
- Establish lightweight governance, delivery standards, and value tracking for Oncology AI initiatives.
- Represent Oncology AI initiatives in leadership forums and cross-enterprise discussions.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, Software Engineering, AI, or a related discipline and a minimum of 5 years of applied analytical experience with demonstrated impact in operations, automation, business analytics, or decision support OR
- Master’s in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, Software Engineering, AI, or a related discipline and a minimum of 7 years of applied analytical experience with demonstrated impact in operations, automation, business analytics, or decision support.
- Demonstrated impact leading AI enabled products, platforms, or analytics solutions in pharma, biotech, healthcare technology, or AI startups.
- Strong understanding of Oncology R&D workflows and the role of data and AI in scientific and clinical decision making.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams in a matrixed environment.
- High technical fluency enabling effective evaluation of AI/ML approaches without hands on development.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience operating at the intersection of science, product management, and engineering.
- Familiarity with AI/ML concepts including data pipelines, model development, and prototyping workflows.
- Experience scaling AI solutions in large, regulated organizations.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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EEO & Employment Eligibility
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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 Research & Development
Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we use a multidisciplinary approach that blends scientific expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic collaborations, igniting a powerful engine that propels groundbreaking discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients in need.
Through our relentless pursuit of progress, we envision a future where cutting-edge medicines pave the way to healthier, happier lives worldwide.
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)