Senior Manager - Run the Engine Development Support

Role Description

At Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business, we’re using digital innovation, data science, and AI to reimagine how life-changing therapies reach patients. Our teams combine deep scientific expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and digital platforms to make research smarter, faster, and more connected.

We know that innovation happens when diverse minds meet. Our Digital Science, Data, and AI professionals collaborate closely with scientists, clinicians, and operational experts to solve real-world challenges in clinical research. Alongside our partnership with Open AI, you can be part of the collaboration that will help to improve the speed and success of drug development, enabling customers to get medicines to patients faster and more cost effectively.

You’ll join a culture that values experimentation, learning, and collaboration — where your ideas can help shape how we deliver life-saving solutions and improve global health outcomes. Whether you’re a data engineer, product manager, software developer, or AI scientist, you’ll find opportunities here to apply your skills to work that truly matters — improving global health outcomes.

Sr. Manager – Run the Engine Development Support

We are seeking a highly technical and hands-on Senior Manager to lead a newly established Run-the Engine Development Support team responsible for troubleshooting, root cause analysis, code remediation, and operational stability across our Digital data and integration platforms.

This role will lead a team of six developers supporting critical production systems and sponsor deliverables within a regulated environment. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical depth with leadership experience, operational discipline, and a strong focus on quality, governance, and platform reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a run the engine development support team responsible for resolving complex production issues across data, integration, and platform technologies.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership in SQL, Python, Snowflake, Databricks, Talend, and API/integration platforms.
• Ensure all code changes, fixes, and enhancements comply with established SDLC, SOP, validation, and change control processes.
• Drive root cause analysis and ensure issues are thoroughly researched, documented, and permanently resolved.
• Enforce coding standards, code review processes, and development best practices across the team.
• Partner closely with platform, operations, QA/compliance, and business teams to support stable and compliant production operations.
• Oversee prioritization and execution of production support activities, ensuring timely resolution of high-priority issues.
• Implement operational controls, monitoring, and governance processes to reduce recurrence of issues.
• Build and mature the run the engine development function, including team structure, processes, documentation, and operational KPIs.
• Mentor and develop team members while fostering accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field or equivalent and relevant formal academic/vocational qualification.
• Previous experience in software development, data engineering, integration development, or production support roles that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 8-10 years’ experience).
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing technical development or support teams.
• In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Technical Expertise

• SQL
• Python
• Snowflake
• Databricks
• Talend
• API and middleware platforms such as Oracle SOA and/or MuleSoft

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting clinical, pharmaceutical, or regulated GxP environments.
• Experience with Computer System Validation (CSV).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, monitoring frameworks, and operational automation.
• Experience building or transforming production support organizations.
• Knowledge of cloud-based enterprise data platforms and modern integration architectures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience troubleshooting complex production issues across data pipelines, integrations, APIs, and enterprise platforms.
• Strong understanding of SDLC, change control, validation, and compliance processes within regulated environments.
• Experience implementing and enforcing coding standards, code review practices, and operational governance controls.
• Proven ability to lead root cause investigations and drive long-term corrective actions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Success Measures

• Improved production stability and reduced recurring incidents.
• Timely resolution of support issues and escalations with root cause analysis.
• Strong adherence to coding standards, SDLC, and compliance requirements.
• Increased operational maturity, traceability, and governance.
• Successful establishment and stabilization of the run the engine support function.

Additional Information

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
• Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
• May require as-needed travel (0-20%).
• Location: Remote US- East Coast, preference for Raleigh NC. Relocation assistance is NOT provided.
• *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• *Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Salary Information

The annual salary range estimated for this position in North Carolina is $130,000 - $170,000 USD. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.