Associate Director - Principal Data Engineer

Job Title: Associate Director - Principal Data Engineer

Career Level -F

Introduction to role

Join our Data Analytics and AI (DA&AI) team within Operations IT to drive innovation in a leading pharmaceutical company. As the Principal Data Engineer, Operations IT - Data, Analytics & AI, you'll be responsible for the technical delivery of products and projects within Operation DA&AI, driving successful outcomes aligned with business goals. You'll use your expertise to lead and coordinate across technical workstreams (Data & Cloud Engineering, Software Engineering, AI) and collaborate with key collaborators

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• Bridge business needs with technical solutions by leading IT application design and implementation.
• Collaborate with team members to define and deliver requirements, translating them into detailed specifications.
• Optimize performance and mitigate risks through improvements in design and processes.
• Advise on industry trends and standard methodologies to enhance performance and business outcomes.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to IT teams and business units.
• Chip in to Data & Software Engineering standards and best practices.
• Research new technologies to boost system performance and scalability.
• Lead and mentor technical teams (Data Engineering, Cloud Engineering, Software Engineering etc.) and work with AI/GenAI leads to foster collaboration and innovation.
• Lead technical teams in design, architecture, and innovation, resolving complex issues.
• Ensure platform stability, scalability, and simplicity.
• Foster continuous improvement and innovation.
• Be responsible for technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle and provide hands-on support in development, technical delivery, review, and testing while collaborating with global teams.
• Utilize central Enterprise Data Platforms and guide DevOps, DataOps, and MLOps teams to ensure standard processes.
• Ensure data solutions stay in sync with FAIR principles and support end-to-end data science and machine learning.

• 14+ years in software and data engineering.
• Strong problem-solving with a focus on high-quality solutions.
• Expertise in data engineering, cloud patterns (e.g., microservices, serverless), and software engineering principles.
• Proficiency in containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), databases (SQL, NoSQL), CI/CD pipelines, and automated deployment tools.
• Leadership experience in mentoring and team management.
• Fluency in Java and Python; knowledge of security and data protection.
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and Data Mesh concepts.

• Degree in Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Data Management, IT, or related field.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or a similar multinational environment.
• AWS Cloud or relevant certifications.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash aggressive thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical leader dedicated to improving lives through innovative science and digital technology. Join us and be empowered to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now!

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AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.