Director, Machine Learning Engineering

Why Genentech

​​​​​​​We’re passionate about delivering on Our Promise to improve the lives of patients and create healthier communities for all. We foster a culture of inclusivity, integrity and creativity while boldly pursuing answers to the world’s most complex health challenges and transforming society.

Who We Are

Our Data, Analytics, and AI team is dedicated to solving complex healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes. Data, Analytics, and AI empowers business partners across Commercial, Medical, and Government Affairs (CMG) to make impactful decisions by leveraging data, analytics, business products, and AI/ML to enable fast, targeted actions in rapidly evolving business contexts.

Data, Analytics, and AI fosters a unified understanding of customers, actions, and outcomes by integrating analytics and insights seamlessly into CMG’s evolving digital, data, and automation platforms, creating scalable solutions and eliminating silos.

In Data, Analytics, and AI, you will work as a trusted, objective advisor and expert, recommending critical decisions and actions to be taken with credibility and a focus on driving measurable impact. You will be part of a thriving culture built on collaboration and innovation.

Job Summary

The Director of Machine Learning Engineering is responsible for leading, managing, and advancing the machine learning capabilities to drive innovation and enhance decision-making.  This role defines the team’s vision, strategy, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities to maximize business impact. This Director of Machine Learning collaborates with senior leaders, technical teams, data teams and business stakeholders to design, build, and maintain robust, scalable, and efficient ML training and data frameworks. Additionally, they oversee execution, measure impact, and champion the team’s role in delivering scalable AI solutions across the organization.  

Key Job Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of machine learning engineers across geographies providing guidance, fostering collaboration and supporting their professional development.

• Own Machine Learning (ML) Engineering workstreams ensuring that they are delivered on time and within budget.

• Lead the ML Engineering strategic design across products for developing and fine tuning machine learning models.

• Innovate with different ML algorithms and architectures to optimize performance.

• Set up best practices for writing efficient, scalable, and production-ready code for ML models.

• Manage risks and dependencies and proactively address any challenges that arise.

• Oversee the entire lifecycle of Machine Learning (ML) models, from conception to deployment, ensuring they meet business and regulatory standards.

• Use ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn.

• Work with Data Scientists to identify the appropriate algorithms and models for specific business problems.

• Work with data leads and Informatics (IX) to integrate the AI/ML capabilities with existing business applications and data systems.

• Collaborate with ML Operations and IX team to understand the organization's technical landscape, data infrastructure, and processing pipelines to ensure that models are designed for seamless integration.

• Develop and maintain documentation for the AI/ML capabilities, including ML architecture diagrams, and user guides.

• Keep up to date with emerging AI/ML technologies, and assess their potential impact on the organization's technical landscape.

• Train and mentor other team members, business partners and stakeholders on related domain expertise.

• Comply with all laws, regulations and policies that govern the conduct of Genentech activities.

People

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of machine learning engineers, fostering an exemplary employee experience, including a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

• Provide guidance, training, and career development opportunities for team members.

• Allocate and shift resources effectively to ensure balanced workloads and optimized team performance and business impact.

• Cultivate an environment of both accountability and performance-based incentives with ongoing and annual performance management and rewards and recognition of all direct reports. 

Who You Are

Minimum Candidate Qualifications & Experience

• 8 years of experience in a machine learning or related role.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.

• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies such as deep learning, natural language processing.

• Strong knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, Julia, Java.

• Proven experience with AI/ML frameworks and libraries such asTensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Keras, PySpark, H2O.

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with experience in coaching, developing, and inspiring talent (direct or indirect).

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and solve complex technical problems.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders and partners across the organization.

Additional Desired Candidate Qualifications & Experience

• Masters Degree in Computer Science or related discipline. 

• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or highly regulated industries.

• Proven success in managing large-scale, complex products requiring AI/ML thought leadership and operational execution.

• Knowledge of workflow tools, automation systems, and compliance frameworks.

Location

• This position is based in South San Francisco, CA

• Relocation Assistance is not available

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $236,460 - 439,000.  Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.  A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.  This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

 Benefits

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Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

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