Senior Director, Head of Engineering

Pfizer • Bothell, WA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Pfizer Digital & Technology’s R&D Forward Impact Engineering & Engagement Team (FIEET) will work with R&D to transform how AI, data, and digital technologies are designed, built, and delivered in partnership with the broader organization. We are seeking a Head of Engineering to lead a global team of Forward Deployed Engineers, Full-Stack Developers, Data Engineers, and AI Engineers who co-create solutions that help R&D scientists, clinicians, and operations teams harness the power of AI and data. As part of Pfizer Digital & Technology’s R&D FIEET , this leader will ensure that rapid prototyping and enterprise delivery move in sync —balancing innovation velocity with integration, governance, and operational excellence. You’ll partner closely with R&D leaders, as well as Enterprise Architecture, Creation Centers, Platform Engineering, and Data Management teams, to ensure every prototype and MVP contributes to a sustainable, scalable digital ecosystem. Your mandate is to accelerate experimentation without creating fragmentation, ensuring the Forward Deployed Engineering model works with existing R&D and Digital & Technology teams—not around them—to deliver business value and advance science. What you’ll bring Enterprise-Scale Leadership: 12 + years leading large, distributed software, data, or AI engineering teams; experience in a matrixed, global environment . Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or related discipline) Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to align innovation teams with enterprise architecture, platform, and application groups to deliver cohesive solutions. Technical Credibility: Strong grounding in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data pipelines, AI/ML architectures, and modern application frameworks. Capable of engaging deeply with technical teams while operating at an executive level. AI and Data Fluency: Understanding of machine learning, large language models, NLP, and generative AI, with the ability to translate these technologies into practical R&D use cases. Operational Maturity: Appreciation for the responsibilities of production systems—security, scalability, maintainability—and experience guiding prototypes into sustainable enterprise solutions. Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to convey technical vision to R&D and business executives; skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing incentives. Talent Development: Demonstrated success building high-performing, inclusive teams and developing next-generation engineering leaders. Business Orientation: Track record of delivering measurable business outcomes—cycle-time reduction, insight acceleration, or cost optimization—through digital solutions. (Preferred): Experience within pharma, biotech, or life sciences R&D, with familiarity in regulated environments ( GxP , clinical, regulatory). Leadership Competencies Integrator: Bridges innovation and operations, ensuring R&D and Digital move in rhythm. Architect of Trust: Builds shared frameworks that allow multiple teams to innovate confidently together. Strategic Technologist: Combines deep engineering acumen with vision for how AI and data transform science. Servant Leader: Elevates others through empowerment, empathy, and clarity of purpose. Outcome Catalyst: Defines success in terms of impact on science, patients, and the enterprise . Success Looks Like Forward Deployed Engineers and enterprise teams co-develop solutions that move seamlessly from concept to scale. R&D and Digital organizations collaborate fluidly, with clear ownership and mutual respect. AI and data capabilities are adopted widely because they are built with, not for, their stakeholders. T he Engineering organization becomes a model for federated innovation—fast, responsible, and deeply collaborative. 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.

Requirements

• Enterprise-Scale Leadership: 12 + years leading large, distributed software, data, or AI engineering teams; experience in a matrixed, global environment
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or related discipline)
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to align innovation teams with enterprise architecture, platform, and application groups to deliver cohesive solutions.
• Technical Credibility: Strong grounding in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data pipelines, AI/ML architectures, and modern application frameworks. Capable of engaging deeply with technical teams while operating at an executive level.
• AI and Data Fluency: Understanding of machine learning, large language models, NLP, and generative AI, with the ability to translate these technologies into practical R&D use cases.
• Operational Maturity: Appreciation for the responsibilities of production systems—security, scalability, maintainability—and experience guiding prototypes into sustainable enterprise solutions.
• Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to convey technical vision to R&D and business executives; skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing incentives.
• Talent Development: Demonstrated success building high-performing, inclusive teams and developing next-generation engineering leaders.
• Business Orientation: Track record of delivering measurable business outcomes—cycle-time reduction, insight acceleration, or cost optimization—through digital solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within pharma, biotech, or life sciences R&D, with familiarity in regulated environments ( GxP , clinical, regulatory)

Benefits

• eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 25.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees