Job Description

Our IT team operates as a business partner proposing ideas and innovative solutions that enable new organizational capabilities. We collaborate internationally to deliver the services and solutions that help everyone to be more productive and enable innovation.

As Technical Architect you will lead a technically adept innovation squad to drive accelerated prototyping and innovation within our R&D IT function. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Programs in the Enablement and User Advocacy (EUA) Value team within our Company Research Laboratories IT, this position will be responsible for problem discovery and rapid development and validation of digital solutions using AI, Generative AI, and modern hyper-automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery, development, and R&D operations.

The successful candidate will also focus on driving strategic programs for the enterprise and enabling our Value Teams while bringing new capabilities to Research Laboratories IT by partnering with business and IT leaders across our Company Research Laboratories.

Primary Tasks

Develop a good understanding of our company's biopharmaceutical R&D business processes, systems, and data
Collaborate with R&D business users, SMEs, and the IT product teams to identify high-impact opportunities where AI/GenAI and Hyper automation can accelerate R&D timelines and improve data-driven decision-making
Collaborate with cross-functional value teams, including business technology partners, product managers, data scientists, and software engineers, to understand requirements
Spearhead rapid ideation, design, and development of digital solution prototypes that address critical challenges.
Be a role model by creating a culture of curiosity, learning, building, and experimentation
Lead a multidisciplinary squad of AI/ML engineers, software developers, data scientists, data engineers, and automation experts to deliver scalable prototypes aligned with R&D priorities
Continuously evaluate emerging AI, GenAI, and hyper-automation platforms relevant to biopharma R&D (e.g., NLP for scientific literature mining, AI for molecular design, robotic process automation for lab workflows)
Implement agile methodologies tailored to R&D environments to ensure rapid iteration, validation, and refinement of prototypes
Ensure all prototyping activities comply with industry regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA), data privacy standards, and internal governance policies
Partner closely with R&D leadership, IT governance, and external collaborators to align innovation efforts with strategic goals and ensure smooth transition of prototypes into production
Define KPIs to assess prototype impact on R&D functions efficiency, data quality, and innovation velocity
Drive execution against implementation plans while minimizing disruptions to normal business operations
Collaborate with and influence business and IT leads to prioritize and coordinate activities across functional areas, and proactively manage risks and issues
Ensure optimal vendor performance inclusive of delivery, risk and issue management, and product development to ensure delivery of expected value realization
Ensure proper resourcing to provide optimum support for activities and changing priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or any Technology Stream, or equivalent relevant experience

Required Qualifications And Skills

10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture
Proven experience leading innovation or rapid prototyping teams within Biopharmaceutical R&D IT or related scientific research environments
Strong expertise in AI/ML, Generative AI (e.g., GPT models for scientific text generation), and hyper-automation technologies applied to life sciences
Familiarity with biopharma R&D processes, including drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory requirements
Technical proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data engineering, and software development best practices
Experience with agile frameworks and lean innovation methodologies in regulated environments
Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment
Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges
Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervision
10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture
5+ years prior experience in a health authority regulated environment
Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment
Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges
Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

Strong problem-solvers who are entrepreneurial, agile, and adaptable, with a strong growth-mindset
Able to move fast, oriented towards running experiments, thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty, and have a strong nose for opportunity
Previous experience of running a digital innovation squad

Required Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Administration, Business Processes, Communication, Computer Science, Data Engineering, Generative AI, Information Systems Management, IT Governance, IT Performance Management, IT Project Lifecycle, Management Process, Measurement Analysis, Portfolio, Programme, and Project Support, Program Management, Prototyping, Risk Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Program Management, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

VISA Sponsorship

Travel Requirements

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Valid Driving License

Hazardous Material(s)

Job Posting End Date

12/21/2025

A job posting is effective until 11 59 59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID R364220

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