Director- Data & Analytics Engineer

Job Title: Director- Data & Analytics Engineer

GCL - F

Introduction to role:

As the Director of Data & Analytics Engineering, you'll be at the forefront of revolutionizing how competitive intelligence is created, shared, and consumed within AstraZeneca. Through Connected Insights, we are making our data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable (FAIR). You'll architect solutions that ensure unstructured data is readily available for AI applications, using innovative technologies like vector databases and knowledge graphs. Your leadership will guide a team of dedicated engineers in developing scalable data solutions and database enhancements for large-scale products. Are you prepared to drive innovation and excellence in data engineering?

Accountabilities:

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Must have a B.Tech/M.Tech/MSc in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in leading data engineering teams to deliver robust and scalable data products, with a focus on preparing datasets for AI/ML use cases.
• Deep expertise in the AWS data engineering ecosystem (SNS, SQS, Lambda, Glue, S3, EMR, log management, AWS containers, EC2, EBS, access control, data streaming, AWS CLI & SDK, backup & restore, etc).
• Excellent programming skills in Python or Java, including Object-Oriented Programming, and proficiency with Airflow, Apache Spark, source control (GIT), and versioning.
• Extensive experience in designing, building, and optimizing large-scale data pipelines, including ingestion, transformation, and orchestration using tools such as Airflow.
• Familiarity with Snowflake tools and services.
• Hands-on experience with metadata management and the application of controlled vocabularies and ontologies to ensure data interoperability and discoverability.
• Working knowledge of vector databases and implementing semantic search capabilities for unstructured and semi-structured datasets.
• Strong understanding of data modelling concepts, SQL (including advanced SQL), and database design—especially for unstructured and semi-structured data (XML, JSON).
• Experience designing data cataloguing, auto-ingestion, automated access control, lifecycle management, backup & restore, and other self-service data management features.
• Exposure to software engineering CI/CD processes, including implementation of automated testing, build, release, deployment, containerization, and configuration management.
• Experience using JIRA, Confluence, and other tools to manage Agile and SAFe project delivery.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and mentoring skills, with the ability to build, coach, and guide high-performing data engineering teams focused on AI/ML objectives.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in developing knowledge graphs (e.g., with Neo4j) and making data AI-ready for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Generative AI (GenAI) applications.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel ambitious thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, you'll find yourself at the heart of innovation where impactful work meets large-scale transformation. We connect across the business to influence patient outcomes positively while driving pioneering change towards becoming a digital enterprise. Collaborate with leading experts using innovative techniques to turn complex information into practical insights that improve lives globally. Our inclusive team grows with diversity—bringing together different functions to decode business needs effectively. Here is where you can raise your personal profile through publishing work or showcasing your achievements.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our dynamic team!