Job Title: Associate Director, RDU IT - AI

Introduction to role:
Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming business challenges into innovative AI solutions? As an Associate Director, RDU IT – AI, you'll be at the forefront of Alexion's IT RDU organization, reporting directly to the IT Director of Data Science. Your mission? To provide technical leadership and strategic direction in developing and implementing cutting-edge Machine Learning solutions, with a special focus on Generative AI. Your expertise will be pivotal in architecting, scaling, and deploying impactful AI models that drive our business forward.

Accountabilities:
- Lead the development and refinement of Generative AI systems and applications using state-of-the-art models to tackle complex business problems.
- Drive the design, development, and continuous improvement of robust infrastructure and tools for Machine Learning and Generative AI models, ensuring scalability and efficiency.
- Provide technical oversight for the full lifecycle development of Generative AI agents, ensuring meaningful, reliable, and secure interactions.
- Architect and lead the integration of pre-trained Generative AI models into custom applications to enable innovative functionalities.
- Collaborate with senior engineers to design interactive systems leveraging Generative AI for dynamic content or decision support.
- Build and optimize scalable infrastructure for running Generative AI applications in production, ensuring high performance and reliability.
- Oversee the implementation of user interfaces or API endpoints for seamless interaction with Generative AI functionalities.
- Design and oversee data pipelines for feeding Generative AI models with high-quality data.
- Monitor the operational health and performance of Generative AI applications in production, driving continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the development of assets, frameworks, and reusable components for Generative AI, Machine Learning, and MLOps practices.
- Collaborate with various collaborators to translate intricate business needs into clear technical requirements.
- Support the integration of Generative AI models within the Machine Learning ecosystem, ensuring ethical use and business relevance.
- Assist with monitoring and governance of Generative AI models to align with evolving business and regulatory requirements.

Essential Skills/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field
- 6+ years of experience in Machine Learning, data science, or software development
- Strong understanding and practical experience with advanced ML Engineering concepts and tools, including Docker/containerization, orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes), and robust MLOps practices for end-to-end model lifecycle management
- Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and optimizing robust CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or Bitbucket pipelines for automated ML model deployment and continuous integration
- Proficiency in Python programming, coupled with deep experience in utilizing and optimizing leading ML libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, or PyTorch for complex Generative AI applications and research
- Experience with cloud computing platforms, such as AWS, Azure or GCP
- Detailed understanding of software engineering principles, construction patterns, and established procedures (e.g., modular build, testing, code review), with demonstrated experience in leading or making significant contributions within agile development methodologies
- Strong communication and teamwork abilities, adept at simplifying technical concepts for diverse audiences, and encouraging teams to achieve project goals.
- Proactive and eager to learn with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or related fields
- A Master's or equivalent experience in a related field (e.g., Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a closely related quantitative subject area) is required
- Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, production-grade Generative AI projects from ideation and research to deployment and operationalization

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold 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.

At AstraZeneca's Alexion division, your career journey is defined by innovation and impact. Embrace an opportunity where work isn't ordinary; it's driven by a commitment to change lives for those living with rare diseases. Our entrepreneurial spirit combined with global resources creates a unique environment where you can grow professionally while making a real difference. You'll be part of a team that values diversity and inclusiveness while fostering connections that drive new ideas. Here, your career path is not just about progression but about making meaningful contributions that resonate across the globe.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.