SummaryThe AI Specialist is an individual-contributor role accountable for the end-to-end design, development, deployment and lifecycle performance of secure, reliable and responsible artificial intelligence solutions that deliver measurable business value, better decision-making, automation and digital transformation across Pharming. The role translates prioritized business outcomes, enterprise AI direction and architectural standards into production-ready AI, machine-learning and generative-AI capabilities that can be adopted sustainably across global functions.
Reporting to the Head of AI, Data & Analytics, the AI Specialist works with high autonomy and serves as technical authority for assigned AI products and initiatives. The role leads complex cross-functional delivery, makes delegated technical decisions, assures engineering and responsible-AI quality, guides colleagues and partners, and coordinates with business, data, architecture and control stakeholders to deliver valuable, secure and supportable solutions.
This is a hybrid role based in our Warren, NJ office with an expectation of 2-3 in office days in office each week and the flexibility to adjust schedules depending on business needs.
What you'd do- AI solution design and delivery
- Own the technical design, development, testing, deployment and transition to support of complex AI, machine-learning and generative-AI solutions that address prioritized business outcomes and operate reliably in production
- Translate prioritized use cases into solution designs and delivery plans; challenge feasibility and data readiness and select model, retrieval, agent, automation and integration patterns based on
value, risk and maintainability. - Design and maintain reusable AI components, services, reference implementations and engineering patterns that accelerate delivery, reduce duplication and improve consistency across Pharming.
- Define solution-level quality and evaluation criteria and engineer for reliability through automated testing, monitoring, observability, error handling, performance management, documentation and
operational support practices. - Lead application of modern software-engineering and AI lifecycle practices, including version control, code review, CI/CD, model and prompt versioning, deployment automation, reproducible experimentation and controlled release management.
- Drive resolution of data, platform and integration dependencies with data engineering and platform teams so assigned AI solutions use trusted, governed data and progress from experimentation to sustainable production use
- Responsible AI, governance and lifecycle
- Apply responsible-AI standards and define solution-specific controls, human oversight and technical guardrails proportionate to intended use and risk.
- Lead solution-level AI risk assessment with business owners, governance stakeholders and control functions, translating risk classification, intended use, quality expectations and governance requirements into enforceable technical controls and evidence.
- Embed privacy, cybersecurity, access control, data protection, retention and compliance requirements into solution architecture and deployment and assure that required control evidence is complete before release.
- Establish and maintain traceability across models, prompts, data sources, configurations, evaluations, approvals and releases so solutions can be reviewed, monitored, audited and changed in a controlled manner.
- Own lifecycle monitoring for assigned solutions, including performance, reliability, drift, quality and relevant risk indicators, and lead timely technical remediation when results or controls fall outside agreed tolerances.
- Lead the technical delivery and documentation of regulated and GxP-relevant AI use cases where applicable, working with Quality and validation stakeholders to meet Pharming's quality, validation and regulatory requirements.
- Technical leadership and transformation
- Provide hands-on leadership for complex AI initiatives, set implementation direction, assure adherence to standards, and make risks, trade-offs and exceptions visible to decision-makers.
- Partner with business, product, data and analytics owners to define value and success measures, convert high-value opportunities into usable solutions, and lead transition from proof-of-concept to sustainable production.
- Coordinate technical dependencies with Data Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Enterprise Applications and Global IT Operations & Service Delivery so assigned solutions align with data, integration, cloud, infrastructure, security and service-management requirements.
- Lead evidence-based assessment of AI technologies, models, platforms and vendors and recommend fit-for-purpose choices based on value, scalability, risk, interoperability and lifecycle impact.
- Raise team capability through design reviews, mentoring, documentation, AI literacy and communities of practice, sharing reusable knowledge across internal teams and partners.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What you'd need- Relevant bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- At least four years of progressive experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering or related disciplines, including substantial hands-on ownership of complex production AI or machine-learning solutions.
- Proven track record designing, deploying and operating multiple AI or machine-learning solutions in complex or global environments; regulated-industry experience is strongly preferred.
- Advanced practical experience with modern AI and machine-learning approaches, including generative AI, large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, model evaluation, agentic or automation patterns and cloud-based AI services where relevant.
- Demonstrated ownership of production AI lifecycle practices, including testing, CI/CD, model and prompt versioning, observability, controlled deployment and remediation; MLOps or LLMOps experience is preferred.
- Advanced programming skills, particularly Python or an equivalent language used for AI and machine-learning development, together with strong software-engineering, API, integration, code-review and maintainability practices.
- Strong understanding of responsible AI, model risk, privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, explainability and access-control principles, with demonstrated ability to translate governance and regulatory requirements into technical controls and evidence.
- Ability to lead complex workstreams through expertise and influence, decide under ambiguity, communicate trade-offs to stakeholders, mentor colleagues and resolve cross-functional challenges with limited supervision.
- Fluent English required; ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and time zones.
- Commitment and alignment to Pharming's mission, core values and behaviors.
This is a hybrid role based in our Warren, NJ office with an expectation of 2-3 in office days in office each week and the flexibility to adjust schedules depending on business needs.
Salary range Pharming takes into consideration a combination of candidate's work experience, training, and education, as well as the scope of the role, complexity, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level.
The base salary range for this job is from $115,000 to $155,000 per year.
Compensation & benefits- Flexible hybrid work schedule to promote a healthy work-life balance
- Competitive compensation package including annual target bonus
- Long-term incentive program
- 401(k) plan with company match
- 13 Company Holidays per year
- Excellent benefit plans including medical, dental, and vision
- Flexible spending accounts
- Company-provided life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans
- Optional accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and pet insurance plans
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Health and wellness program
- Choice of company provided mobile phone or cell phone stipend
