Senior Director, Research & Early Development Technology

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals • Cambridge, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Alnylam is seeking a deeply technical and strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Research & Early Development (ReDev) Technology. This role owns the domain-specific scientific systems architecture, computational platforms, and AI-enabled digital capabilities supporting Target/Biomarker Discovery, RNAi Platform & Delivery, Screening, Lead Optimization, DMPK, Bioanalytics, Investigative Sciences, and Non-Clinical Safety. This is a strategic technology leadership role that also requires meaningful architectural depth. The Senior Director must partner closely with Research & Early Development leaders at all levels while actively guiding domain system architecture, integration patterns, modern data design, AI-enabled workflow modernization, secure scientific computing environments, and multi-omics/imaging data integration. The role requires familiarity with large-scale human genetics and cohort datasets (e.g., UK Biobank, FinnGen, NASHBio) and the ability to design systems that enable their effective utilization for target discovery, validation, and translational research. The Senior Director will serve as the IT representative within the Research & Early Development Leadership Team, contributing to strategic discussions and ensuring digital priorities are tightly aligned with scientific and portfolio objectives. The role also requires close collaboration with Clinical Development and CMC organizations to ensure discovery and preclinical digital capabilities are aligned with downstream clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements — enabling seamless lifecycle data continuity from target discovery through clinical development and CMC readiness. Shared lab execution platforms (e.g., ELN, LIMS) are owned by the Lab-to-Product Platform & Operations organization. Enterprise data engineering and centralized AI platforms are owned by the Enterprise Data & AI organization. This role partners closely with both to ensure ReDev domain systems are integrated, AI-ready, and aligned with enterprise standards. This hybrid role is based in Cambridge, MA with regular engagement at our Cambridge headquarters.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive IT leadership supporting drug discovery and preclinical development
• Demonstrated architectural depth across complex scientific systems
• Proven ability to partner effectively with senior scientific stakeholders
• Experience operating within senior leadership forums (e.g., R&D Leadership Teams) with demonstrated executive presence
• Familiarity with large-scale population and cohort datasets such as: UK Biobank FinnGen NASHBio
• Demonstrated understanding of how these datasets are utilized for: Target discovery and validation Rare variant association Translational research
• Experience supporting or integrating: Genomics and variant datasets Spatial omics platforms Proteomics datasets Imaging-genomics analyses
• Deep expertise in modern data engineering concepts: ELT/ETL patterns Lake/lakehouse architectures API-first integration Cloud-native data platforms
• Experience integrating domain scientific systems with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Snowflake) in partnership with centralized teams
• Advanced SQL and Python proficiency with production-quality engineering standards
• Demonstrated practical experience applying both generative AI and agentic AI in scientific or R&D environments
• Experience operationalizing AI within production discovery workflows
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing Trusted Research Environments (TREs)
• Strong understanding of responsible AI and secure scientific computing

Nice To Haves

• Experience with modern discovery and preclinical technology ecosystems, including: Digital Pathology & Imaging: HALO, HALO Link, Patholytix, Visiopharm
• Non-Clinical Safety & DMPK: SEND environments, Phoenix (WinNonlin)
• Bioanalytics Platforms: Benchling, Sapio
• Omics & Workflow Engines: Paradigm4, DNAnexus, AWS HealthOmics, Nextflow
• High-Content Imaging: Signals Image Artist
• Experience in RNAi, oligonucleotide, or gene-modality platforms strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the ReDev Domain Architecture & Application Strategy
• Partner on Domain Data Architecture & Snowflake Integration
• Partner on Generative & Agentic AI-Enabled Scientific Systems
• Architect Secure Scientific Computing & Trusted Research Environments
• Serve as Strategic & Technical Thought Partner

Benefits

• We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match.
• Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks.
• We also offer generous family resources and leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees