Senior Director, Head of Engineering

Pfizer • Lake Forest, IL

12d • 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 required. 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. The 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. Work Location Assignment: Hybrid Last Date to Apply for Job: 12/25/2025

Requirements

• 12+ years leading large, distributed software, data, or AI engineering teams; experience in a matrixed, global environment required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or related discipline)
• Proven ability to align innovation teams with enterprise architecture, platform, and application groups to deliver cohesive solutions.
• Strong grounding in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data pipelines, AI/ML architectures, and modern application frameworks.
• Understanding of machine learning, large language models, NLP, and generative AI, with the ability to translate these technologies into practical R&D use cases.
• Appreciation for the responsibilities of production systems—security, scalability, maintainability—and experience guiding prototypes into sustainable enterprise solutions.
• Exceptional ability to convey technical vision to R&D and business executives; skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing incentives.
• Demonstrated success building high-performing, inclusive teams and developing next-generation engineering leaders.
• Track record of delivering measurable business outcomes—cycle-time reduction, insight acceleration, or cost optimization—through digital solutions.
• 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.
• This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

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

Benefits

• participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 22.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program
• 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
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility

What This Job Offers

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