Associate Director, Technical Lead (ML Engineering & Compute Platform Focus)

Novartis AG

East Hanover, NJ

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Adobe Acrobat, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Architectural Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Code Reviews, Collective Bargaining, Computer Skills, Computer Systems, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Integration, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Data Science, Disability Accommodations, Disease, Diversity, Docker, English Language, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), High Throughput, Insurance, Leadership, Legal, Machine Learning, Machine Tool, Medicine, OAuth, Product Engineering, Product Programs, Production Control, Programming Languages, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Research & Development (R&D), Resource Management, Retirement Plan, Retirement Planning, Schedule Development, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), Technical Leadership, Technical/Engineering Design, Testing, Time Tracking, Training/Teaching
LOCATION
East Hanover, NJ
POSTED
7 days ago

Job ID

REQ-10083395

Jul 17, 2026

Czech Republic

Available in: English

Summary

Are you passionate about building the ML platforms, compute environments, and AI capabilities that power scientific discovery at scale? This is a unique opportunity to join a newly created Product Technology & Engineering team in Prague and help shape the future of ML engineering across BR Data & Digital. As Technical Lead (ML Engineering & Compute Platform Focus), you will provide hands-on architectural and technical leadership to design, build, and operate the ML engineering and compute platforms that power scientific discovery at scale. From on-premises HPC clusters to cloud-based GPU compute on AWS, you will ensure data scientists and ML engineers have reliable, scalable, and high-performance infrastructure to train, deploy, and operate machine learning solutions, while embedding modern MLOps practices and AI-driven engineering approaches across the full ML lifecycle.Location: Prague, Czech Republic #LI-Hybrid This role is based in Prague, Czech Republic. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

About the Role

Responsibilities:Lead the design, delivery, and operation of ML compute platforms spanning on-premises HPC clusters and cloud-based GPU infrastructure on AWS.Support implementation of MLOps pipelines across model training, experiment tracking, packaging, deployment, and production monitoring.Ensure compute resources are reliable, efficiently utilised, and cost-optimised.Manage job scheduling, GPU resource allocation, and workload orchestration across hybrid environments.Champion AI-driven engineering transformation across the team, embedding AI tools into architecture, code generation, code review, CI/CD, and testing workflows.Embed security at every layer of the ML engineering lifecycle, enforcing OAuth2, OIDC, SAML, zero-trust principles, and secrets management.Partner closely with data scientists, ML engineers, delivery leads, architects, and operations teams to translate ML workload requirements into robust platform capabilities.Manage technical dependencies and ensure platform delivery stays aligned and on track within time-bound product initiatives.Contribute to a coherent technical architecture across the broader BR Data & Digital product portfolio.Foster a team-before-self culture of urgency, quality, and continuous improvement.Essential for the role:7+ years of hands-on experience in ML engineering, MLOps, or compute platform engineering in complex, large-scale environments.Deep expertise in MLOps practices and tooling, including ML pipeline orchestration, experiment tracking, model registry, model serving, and production monitoring and drift detection.Strong experience with HPC and compute platform engineering, including GPU cluster management, job scheduling, and high-throughput workload orchestration in on-premises environments.Deep expertise in AWS cloud compute for ML, including GPU instances, AWS Batch, Amazon SageMaker, and AWS ParallelCluster for scalable training and inference workloads.Strong experience with containerisation for ML workloads, including Docker, NVIDIA Container Toolkit, and Kubernetes with GPU node management.Strong security mindset with practical experience in OAuth2, OIDC, SAML, and secrets management.Active practitioner of AI-driven engineering, using AI tools to accelerate architecture decisions, code generation, code review, CI/CD, and testing.Proficiency in Python and/or another modern programming language, with the ability to lead and review code across a cross-functional engineering team.Desirable for the role:Hands-on experience with NVIDIA DGX systems or similar high-density GPU computing infrastructure.Experience with distributed training frameworks and large-scale model training.Benefits & Rewards:At Novartis, we're committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 1,354,220.00 to 2,514,980.00 CZK The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdfNote: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.Accessibility and accommodation: Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an email to di.cz@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-cultureBenefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally.Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

Primary location salary range

K1,354,220.00 - K2,514,980.00

Division

Biomedical Research

Business Unit

Information Technology

Location

Czech Republic

Site

Prague

Company / Legal Entity

CZ02 (FCRS = CZ002) Novartis s.r.o.

Functional Area

Research & Development

Job Type

Full time

Employment Type

Regular

Shift Work

No

Accessibility and accommodationNovartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Research & Development Biomedical Research Czech Republic

Job ID

REQ-10083395

Associate Director, Technical Lead (ML Engineering & Compute Platform Focus)

Apply to Job

Job ID

REQ-10083395

Associate Director, Technical Lead (ML Engineering & Compute Platform Focus)

Apply to Job

About the Company

N

Novartis AG

Novartis provides healthcare solutions that improve and extend people’s lives. We use science-based innovation to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible. Our company is focused on industry-leading divisions with innovation power and global scale: pharmaceuticals, eye care and generic medicines Novartis is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 120,000 associates and its products are available in more than 180 countries around the world.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
FOUNDED
1996