Director, GBS, Forward Deployed Engineer

Key Responsibilities

Prototype & Deliver Innovation

• Rapidly design and build AI- and data-driven prototypes addressing high-value GBS use cases (e.g., predictive modeling, scientific data integration, knowledge assistants, document intelligence, or lab automation).
• Collaborate with enterprise data, platform, and engineering teams to ensure scalability and secure handoff of validated solutions.
• Apply best practices in software development, data science, and MLOps to deliver maintainable, well-documented prototypes.

Partner with GBS Leadership

• Serve as the primary AI and technology thought partner for senior GBS leaders (VP/SVP level).
• Translate scientific and operational pain points into technical opportunities with clear business value.
• Influence decision-makers through demonstrations, storytelling, and measurable outcomes.

Shape the Innovation Backlog

• Work with Product Managers to source, assess, and prioritize ideas in the GBS Innovation Backlog.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and align solutions to enterprise architecture, data governance, and AI safety standards.
• Help define success metrics, business cases, and transition plans for scaled adoption.

Enable Collaboration Across Digital & Technology & GBS

• Build bridges between research scientists, enterprise Digital & Technology, data engineering, and AI platform teams.
• Share learnings and reusable assets across Pods to accelerate innovation velocity.
• Mentor emerging technical talent and help establish the culture of AI in service of science.

Qualification & Requirements

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in software engineering, data science, or applied AI, including 3+ years in a lead technical or product innovation role or Master’s Degree and 7+ years of experience or PHD and +5 years of experience.
• Proven ability to build working prototypes and AI applications using modern languages and frameworks (e.g., Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, FastAPI).
• Deep understanding of data platforms, APIs, and cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong grasp of machine learning and generative AI concepts, including LLMs, NLP, and multimodal systems.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills; capable of translating complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and driving alignment in a matrixed, global organization.

Preferred

• Experience in pharma or corporate finance computing environments.
• Familiarity with regulated domains (e.g., GxP, SOX).
• Track record of leading cross-functional innovation initiatives from ideation to adoption.
• Contributions to open-source projects, technical publications, or patents in AI/ML.

Leadership Competencies

• Entrepreneurial Builder: Takes ownership of opportunities, moving from idea to prototype with urgency and precision.
• Strategic Partner: Inspires confidence and trust from senior leaders; comfortable in the boardroom and the codebase alike.
• Connector: Bridges organizational and disciplinary divides with empathy and technical credibility.
• Pragmatic Innovator: Balances bold experimentation with disciplined delivery and enterprise alignment.
• Outcome-Driven: Measures success by tangible scientific or operational impact, not just lines of code.

Benefits

this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 20.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer 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.