Director, GBS, Forward Deployed Engineer

Use Your Power for Purpose
At Pfizer, technology impacts everything we do. Our digital and 'data first' strategy is dedicated to implementing innovative and impactful technology solutions across all functions, from research to manufacturing. By digitizing drug discovery and development, identifying solutions, and making our work easier and faster, you will make a significant difference to countless lives. Your role in this digital transformation is crucial, helping streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive forward groundbreaking research and development. Join us in this mission to harness the power of technology for the betterment of global health.
Role Overview
The Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) is a hands-on technologist and trusted innovation partner to Global Business Services (GBS) -embedded at the intersection of global business processes, transactional data and enterprise technology. Operating within Pfizer Digital & Technology's Enabling Functions (EF) Forward Impact Engineering team, this role translates bold ideas into working AI and data-driven prototypes that accelerate the way we discover, develop, and deliver innovative solutions.
FDEs work in small, mission-focused Pods aligned to specific EF domains such as Finance, GBS, PX and Legal/Compliance. Each Pod pairs an FDE with a Product Manager to co-own a domain's innovation backlog-from idea intake through proof-of-concept delivery and transition to enterprise scale.
The ideal candidate brings a rare combination of engineering depth, creative problem solving, and business fluency. They are equally comfortable writing code, influencing senior leaders, and connecting across organizational boundaries. An FDE thinks like an AI architect, builds like a full-stack engineer, and operates like a strategic partner-driving measurable impact through technology that advances science.
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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

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.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
n/a
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Travel up to 25% may be required for business activities.
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Last day to apply : December 31st 2025
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $156,600.00 to $261,000.00. 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.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [email protected] . This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
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