Pfizer

Director, Build Engineer

Pfizer$176K — $294K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
  • 8+ years of hands-on software engineering experience.
  • Experience building and shipping production software across full stack.
  • Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into production systems.
  • Successful track record of evolving prototypes/MVPs into robust, production-grade systems.
  • Familiarity with cloud architecture (AWS or Azure) and CI/CD practices.
  • Demonstrated strong verification and code-review discipline.

Responsibilities

  • Build, test, and ship production-grade software using diverse languages and frameworks.
  • Integrate AI and LLM-based capabilities into various Medical Affairs products.
  • Transform prototypes and MVPs into scalable systems adhering to engineering quality standards.
  • Document code, APIs, and system design decisions for maintainability and clarity.
  • Apply rigorous verification to all AI-generated code before deployment.
  • Collaborate with Data Integration Engineer to ensure high-quality data pipelines.
  • Participate in agile ceremonies and deliver committed work reliably.

Benefits

  • 401(k) plan with matching contributions and additional retirement savings contribution.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation, holidays, personal days, and paid leave.
  • Comprehensive health benefits covering medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision.
  • Participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan and long-term incentive program.
Full Job Description

ROLE SUMMARY

This role owns hands-on software engineering delivery for the Medical Affairs AI Acceleration portfolio.  This role turns solution architecture and product requirements into working, production-grade AI systems. This is a deeply technical, individual-contributor role.  This position is accountable for designing components and writing, testing and shipping code to production.  

Decisions made in this role — how a feature is implemented, how AI-generated code is verified before it reaches production, how quickly a validated prototype is hardened into a scalable system — directly determine the reliability and velocity of the AI systems Medical Affairs depends on. This role carries individual technical authority over its assigned build area, reporting into the Senior Director, Engineering alongside two peer Build Engineers and the Data Integration Engineer.

The role partners closely with Solution Architecture to implement architectural blueprints, with the Data Integration Engineer to incorporate data from various sources into the AI solutions, and with Product Management and UX/Experience Design to translate product and workflow requirements into working software solutions.  Solutions will be deployed through the full life cycle including proofs of concepts, MVPs and production grade systems. 

The Director, Build Engineer is a hands-on software engineer who builds, tests, and ships the AI-powered products and platforms that make up the Medical Affairs AI Acceleration portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering, this role takes solution architecture and product requirements from prototype through production — writing full-stack code, integrating Agentic AI and LLM-based capabilities, and verifying AI-generated code with the same rigor applied to human-written code. This is an individual-contributor role built for engineers who move fluidly across the stack, work comfortably in ambiguity, and take personal ownership of whether what they ship actually works in production.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Full-Stack & AI System Build

  • Build, test, and ship production-grade software across the stack, working in whatever language or framework the problem requires.

  • Integrate Agentic AI, LLM-based capabilities, and RAG pipelines into Medical Affairs products, translating architectural design into deployed, functioning services.

  • Take validated prototypes and MVPs through to production-grade systems, applying the quality gates and standards set by Solution Architecture and the Senior Director, Engineering.

  • Write and maintain code that meets the team's engineering standards for quality, maintainability, and reuse.

  • Document code, APIs, and system design decisions clearly and consistently as a standard part of the development process ensuring solutions are maintainable and understandable by others beyond the original author.

AI-Augmented Development & Verification

  • Use AI-augmented development tools to accelerate delivery, while applying rigorous verification and review to all AI-generated code before it ships.

  • Apply LLM integration patterns (e.g., prompt design, multi-provider/model considerations, RAG) to build features that depend on generative AI capabilities.

  • Monitor and troubleshoot AI/ML components in production, partnering with Solution Architecture on model performance, drift, and reliability issues.

  • Design and optimize LLM and agent interactions for token efficiency — balancing prompt design, context window usage, and model selection to control cost and latency without sacrificing output quality.

Data & Systems Integration

  • Partner with the Data Integration Engineer to ensure builds are backed by reliable, well-governed data pipelines.

  • Integrate with core enterprise systems (e.g., Veeva CRM, PromoMats, Salesforce Life Sciences/Marketing Cloud) as required by product and architecture specifications.

  • Identify and resolve technical debt in owned build areas, balancing delivery speed against long-term system health.

Cross-Functional Delivery Partnership

  • Partner with Solution Architecture to implement architectural blueprints and flag design issues discovered during build.

  • Partner with Product Management and UX/Experience Design to translate product and workflow requirements into working software, surfacing technical trade-offs early.

  • Participate in sprint and iteration ceremonies with the Scrum Master, delivering committed work reliably.

Continuous Improvement

  • Maintain and grow deep, hands-on technical expertise across relevant languages, frameworks, and AI/ML tooling.

  • Contribute to engineering documentation, code review practice, and knowledge-sharing that scales beyond the immediate build area.

  • Bring emerging engineering and AI-development practices into the team's day-to-day work.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

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.

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field;

  • 8+ years of hands-on software engineering experience.

  • Demonstrated experience building and shipping production software across the full stack, with the ability to work across multiple languages and frameworks as needed.

  • Experience integrating AI/ML or LLM-based capabilities into production systems.

  • Experience taking prototypes/MVPs through to production-grade, scalable systems.

  • Experience with modern cloud architecture (AWS or Azure), API-first design, and CI/CD practice.

  • Experience with Agile/Scrum delivery frameworks.

  • Strong verification and code-review discipline, including review of AI-generated code.

  • Experience designing and optimizing LLM/agent prompts and workflows for token efficiency, balancing cost, latency, and output quality at production scale.

  • Strong written communication skills, with a track record of producing clear, current technical documentation for code, APIs, and system design decisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another regulated industry, with familiarity with GxP, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance requirements for engineered systems.

  • Hands-on experience with LLMOps/MLOps tooling, vector databases, RAG pipeline engineering, or agent orchestration frameworks.

  • Familiarity with Veeva CRM, Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud, or Salesforce Marketing Cloud integration patterns.

  • Experience collaborating directly with business stakeholders to translate ambiguous problems into technical solutions.

  • Relevant certifications (AWS/Azure Solutions Architect or Developer).

Non-Standard Work Schedule, Travel, or Environment Requirements

  • Must be able to travel to Pfizer offices, vendor offices, and other team meeting locations when required.

  • Project work can sometimes be demanding and require work during off-hours to coordinate with global stakeholders or respond to production incidents.

OTHER JOB DETAILS:

  • Last Date to Apply for Job: October 01, 2026

  • Locations: USA Any Pfizer Site and Europe Any Pfizer Site

  • NOT Eligible for Relocation Package 

  • Position is hybrid and will require to work 2 to 3 days per week site 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $176,600.00 to $294,300.00. In addition, 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. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.

 

 

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

 

 

About Pfizer

Hospira, Inc. is the provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies. Through its broad, integrated portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness™ by improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing healthcare costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 16,000 employees.

Pfizer Careers

Joining Pfizer’s global team offers more than just job opportunities; it’s a chance to be a part of a company that leads with science and innovates for better health. As a leading biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer is at the forefront of transforming lives through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Work You’ll Do At Pfizer, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, engaging in work that enhances global health and saves lives. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, professional growth, and inclusivity, making every day a learning opportunity. Here, your skills will be honed, your professional acumen will be expanded, and you will be part of a team that values the power of diverse insights to drive success. Pfizer’s Leadership and Growth Lead and innovate with Pfizer, where we value the growth of each employee. Our leadership is committed to providing employees with the training and resources needed to excel in their careers. Pfizer offers a variety of career paths, including roles in research, marketing, finance, technology, and more, each offering a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Internship and Employment Opportunities Start your career with Pfizer through our internship programs or dive straight into a full-time position. We are hiring individuals who are passionate about healthcare and who seek to make a difference in the world. Our internships provide invaluable industry experience, networking opportunities, and a potential pathway to full-time employment. Benefits and Culture Pfizer is dedicated to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued and can achieve their full potential. We offer competitive benefits packages that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. At Pfizer, you’ll find a culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Join Our Team Explore the numerous job opportunities at Pfizer by searching open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for driven, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to advance their careers in a transformative company. Stay Connected Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Pfizer. Interview and Resume Tips Prepare for your future with Pfizer by utilizing our resources for resume building and interview preparation. We provide guidance on how to effectively showcase your skills and experiences to align with the needs of a position at Pfizer. Our goal is to help you succeed in securing a role that suits your professional goals and personal growth aspirations. Pfizer: A Place Where You Can Make a Difference Every position at Pfizer contributes to our mission of making the world a healthier place. Whether through direct patient care, research innovation, or corporate roles that support our operations, your work will have global impact. Join us in our journey to change lives—explore Pfizer careers today.
Learn more about Pfizer
Size
79,000 employees
Market Cap
$285.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$9.6 billion
Founded
1849
5 Year Trend
+9%
Revenue
$41.9 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Pfizer

More Healthcare Jobs

Find similar Director, Build Engineer jobs: