Lead Emerging Technology Engineer

at  AstraZeneca

Join AstraZeneca as a Lead Emerging Technology Engineer, where you’ll be at the epicentre of innovation in a role that’s anything but routine. We’re looking for someone who thrives in an ever-changing environment, eager to master the latest tech trends and drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
In this role, you’ll bring emerging technologies to life, crafting captivating experiences and presentations to illuminate their potential for our strategic leaders in hands on immersive experiences. Your mission will be to not only identify and test the next big technologies within a 3-5 year horizon, but also to pave the way for their integration into AstraZeneca’s future landscape.
You’ll be at the forefront of a ‘show, don’t just tell’ philosophy, requiring a hands-on approach as you create Proof of Concept projects and collaborate with a diverse network of partners, from academic institutions to tech titans. You’ll lean in as needed to deliver, using your own passion for learning as a driver. This role does not come with an instruction manual, you will be shaping and defining that for the rest of the organisation. This gives you a unique vantage point, accessing revolutionary technologies ahead of the curve.
More than a creator of prototypes, you’ll deliver thought leadership by translating intricate tech concepts into strategic insights, shaping the direction of our investments. When new technologies emerge, you’ll be the architect of the capabilities needed to harness their power for our business.
We’re seeking a curious, tech-savvy professionals with the skills to build proofs of concepts and the boldness to tackle the unknown. If you’re ready to dive into a world of exploration and have a direct impact on AstraZeneca’s technological journey, step into a role that’s as exciting as it is vital.
What you will be doing
Thought Leadership: Lead in the delivery of thought-provoking and informative guidance on new and emerging technologies through immersive demonstrations and workshops. Contribute towards the activates that will go into the milestone plan that will define what the team will output. Directly guide the research arm of the team with your technical expertise, contributing to the development of positioning statements and white papers.
Trailblaze New Technologies: Innovate and construct bespoke Proof-of-Concept systems to illustrate the art of the possible, you will be defining what innovation is and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Influence senior strategic leaders with hands-on experiences that go beyond third-party narratives, demonstrating the value proposition of technologies from a foundation of first-hand knowledge. Embrace experimentation, understanding that learning from failed PoCs is an essential step towards success.
Labs and Infrastructure Management: Take charge of the Tech Innovation infrastructure, including cloud accounts, sandboxes, source control, license servers, and more. Champion the opportunities that arise from the labs while ensuring the physical lab space and equipment are available, well-maintained, and secure.
Strategic Translation: In close collaboration with research colleagues, partner with Business Technology Groups (BTGs) and Enterprise Architects to assess how new technologies can be woven into existing workflows. Where there is no existing capability, you will assist in paving the way for its creation.
Technical Expertise: As the Lead Emerging Technology Engineer at AstraZeneca, you will be the bedrock of expertise for new and emerging technological trends. Strategic leaders will depend on your insights and comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies to navigate critical business decisions. You will be tasked with keeping abreast of the latest tech developments and proactively engaging with strategic leaders to ensure technology adoption aligns with business objectives.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Software Engineering Expertise: Strong proficiency in architecting and programming Proof-of-Concept projects is essential, utilising both familiar tech stacks and exploring new frameworks and libraries that might better mesh with new technologies. The role demands the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within larger teams.
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  Technical mentorship: Guide and assist in the development of other team members. Helping to build broad technical skills within the team.
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  Strategic Storytelling: Storytelling skills are crucial for effectively translating complex technical concepts and visionary ideas into simple, impactful narratives that resonate with senior executives.
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  Influence & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work with external partners to influence outcomes and deliver timely product innovations. The capacity to articulate intricate technical details in a clear manner that is easily understandable by senior strategic leaders as well as your colleagues in teams like Enterprise Architecture.
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  Agility in Ambiguity: The ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritise a demanding workload, and thrive in a dynamic environment.
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  Innovation Enthusiasm: A fervent desire to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the innovation landscape. A genuine eagerness to engage directly with technologies, coupled with the drive and ability to rapidly learn new skills.

Design & Development Methodologies: Familiarity with Design Thinking, Lean principles, Agile methodologies, and customer-led UX is desirable.

• Proven Implementation Track Record: Validated experience in delivering and deploying solutions within Continuous Development lifecycles.

• Curiosity & Initiative: An inquisitive mindset with a proactive approach where you are comfortable being uncomfortable. A willingness to take on new challenges and experiment in areas where you lack experience.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

We understand that innovation, particularly with emerging technologies, doesn’t come from a one-size-fits-all approach. The role of an Emerging Technology Engineer is multifaceted and ever-evolving. While we value technical acumen, we place a greater emphasis on finding the right candidate with a proactive, problem-solving attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt. We encourage applications from those who may not tick every box but are passionate about technology and its potential to drive change.
Programming Proficiency: Strong programming skills with experience with multiple languages including but not limited to C#, Python, and JavaScript. Exposure to additional languages such as C++, Java, Go, Rust, etc., is advantageous. This is a hands-on role and you will be expected to be able to build solutions.
Innovative Delivery Track Record: Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering technology-enabled business change through innovative solutions.
Cloud Expertise: Proven knowledge or experience with cloud computing and services such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
Database Experience: Experience with various databases, both relational and NoSQL, as well as newer technologies such as graph databases.
Data Science Acumen: Working knowledge of contemporary Data Science trends and technologies including Computer Vision, object detection, text extraction, and the use of synthetic data sets.
Real-time 3D and AR/VR Technologies: Exposure to, or strong knowledge of, real-time 3D technologies and AR/VR. Experience with asset and experience creation, with a preference for Unity, although experience with other engines like Unreal is also valuable.
Project Experience: Proof of independent project development as well as collaborative team efforts, with a good understanding of source control and project management methodologies.
Industry Insight: Knowledge of the drug discovery value chain and medicines development, including an understanding of the regulatory constraints related to technology use within the industry.
Educational Background: A degree in software engineering, computer science OR equivalent years of relevant professional experience.
Certification: AWS Associate or Professional certifications (Architect, Developer) or equivalent GCP/Azure certifications are desirable.

• Strong English communication skills required.
• Positions are open to Mexican Citizens and official residents of Mexico