Pfizer

Senior Director, Head of Application Engineering and Productionization

Pfizer$230K — $384K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 12+ years of relevant experience in application engineering and productionization.
  • Strong leadership experience with a track record in building high-performing teams.
  • Experience in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals or banking.
  • Proven ability to influence in large organizations and align diverse stakeholders.
  • Recognized thought leader with strategic business impact across functions.
  • Deep expertise in operational effectiveness in complex corporate ecosystems.

Responsibilities

  • Define strategy and governance model for application engineering and AI products.
  • Make architectural decisions for cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Oversee design and development of applications with an emphasis on reusability.
  • Lead teams in implementing secure, scalable interfaces and integrations.
  • Establish and govern CI/CD pipelines aligned with security standards.
  • Define quality standards and performance metrics for applications.
  • Build and lead a high-performing engineering organization across various disciplines.

Benefits

  • 401(k) plan with matching contributions and retirement savings options.
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
  • Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Paid caregiver/parental leave and medical leave options.
  • Hybrid working model requiring 2-3 days onsite weekly.
Full Job Description
ROLE SUMMARY

The AI Acceleration (AIA) function within the Chief Marketing Office (CMO) is the business-led team that owns the design, delivery, and scale-up of priority AI capabilities across Commercial. AIA works in tight collaboration with various Pfizer functions to deploy and maintain production-grade AI solutions that simplify how we work and drive measurable value across all processes.

The Senior Director of Application Engineering & Productionization is responsible for translating strategic priorities into the delivery of scalable, secure, enterprise-grade applications and AI/ML solutions. This role leads large, multi-disciplinary technology teams to design, and build high-quality systems with a strong emphasis on execution, reliability, and continuous improvement. The leader establishes robust engineering standards-including architecture, CI/CD, testing, and observability-to ensure consistent delivery and production excellence. Success in this role requires guiding teams through ambiguity, developing senior engineering talent, and partnering closely with product, platform, data, and operations stakeholders to align technical decisions with business outcomes while effectively communicating trade-offs and progress to senior leadership.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & architecture
  • Define the overall strategy and governance model for application engineering and productionization, establishing frameworks, patterns, and standards for how AI and digital products are built, deployed, and maintained
  • Make architectural decisions on front-end, full-stack, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and CI/CD pipelines, to ensure scalability, performance, and security
  • Partner with the Heads of Agent Product Management, Data Engineering, and Data Strategy to maintain consistent architecture, shared infrastructure, and unified engineering standards across AIA


Build & ship (governance level)
  • Oversee the design, development, and rollout of applications and tools used across AIA pods, with a focus on reuse and maintainability
  • Lead front-end and full-stack development teams in implementing secure, scalable interfaces and integrations with enterprise systems and APIs
  • Establish and govern CI/CD pipelines, release management, and environment configuration for applications and maintain alignment with security and quality standards
  • Collaborate with agent and AI/ML engineering teams to move AI/ML models into production with strong deployment, versioning, and monitoring practices


Quality & reliability
  • Define quality standards and performance metrics for applications covering uptime, latency, reliability, and user experience
  • Oversee the implementation of automated testing, logging, and observability platforms to ensure operational excellence
  • Establish mechanisms for proactive issue detection, incident response, and continuous improvement of application stability and security


Team & culture
  • Build and lead a high-performing engineering organization (~30 FTEs, hundreds of contractors) across front-end, full-stack, DevOps, and architecture disciplines
  • Set strong technical direction, review design and code, and mentor senior engineers and engineering managers to raise the organizational engineering bar
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous learning, emphasizing reusable components, automation, and engineering rigor


Cross-functional impact
  • Partner with Data Engineering, Product, Agent Product Management, and Platform Ops teams to ensure seamless integration of applications with data pipelines, APIs, and orchestration frameworks
  • Work with the Data Strategy & Performance team to align engineering practices with enterprise governance, security, and compliance requirements
  • Maintain close feedback loops with users and stakeholders to shape application roadmaps based on adoption, performance, and business impact
  • Communicate technical decisions, trade-offs, and implications clearly to senior leadership, connecting architecture and engineering choices to business outcomes


Innovation & best practices
  • Promote adoption of modern software development methodologies and tooling, including agile delivery, DevOps, and continuous delivery frameworks
  • Stay current on emerging trends in application engineering, AI integration, and cloud infrastructure, applying these insights to strengthen engineering practices and drive innovation


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 a related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
  • 12+ years of relevant professional experience.
  • Proven people-leadership experience, with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
  • Experience working within regulated industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, banking, insurance).
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate and influence within large, complex organizations.
  • Strong stakeholder-management capabilities, with success driving alignment across diverse functions and seniority levels.
  • Recognized industry thought leader with enterprise-wide strategic impact.
  • Demonstrated program and operations management expertise, particularly within large, regulated environments.
  • Proven success managing quality standards, leading efficient development teams, and optimizing complex staffing and resource allocation models.
  • Deep expertise in cross-functional integration and operational effectiveness within a large corporate ecosystem.


Other Job Details:
  • Last Date to Apply for Job: August 24th, 2026
  • Ability to travel based on business needs
  • NOT eligible for Relocation Package
  • This position is hybrid and requires working onsite 2 to 3 days per week


#LI-PFE
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $230,900.00 to $384,800.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 25.0% 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.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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

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