Lead Data Engineer

Novo Nordisk; Ballerup Kommune; On-site; DKK 743,000 - 1,092,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentives & benefits

Inclusive recruitment

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Lead Data Engineer in Denmark to design, build and govern data foundations across the Commercial AI & Data team. You will influence tech choices, mentor engineers, and drive data solutions that enable AI and advanced analytics across the business.

Responsibilities include leading data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, statistics, engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in data engineering, data architecture or data product development.
• Experience with cloud platforms and large-scale data initiatives.
• Strong Python, SQL and Spark programming.
• ETL/ELT design, data modeling and warehousing/lake.
• DataOps/DevOps with Git, CI/CD, Docker/Kubernetes.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration in matrix teams.
• MDM, Data Quality, Lineage, Catalog awareness.
• English proficiency at all levels; pharma/regulatory exposure beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Design enterprise-scale data architectures and data pipelines.
• Define data models, storage strategies and integration patterns.
• Establish standards for ingestion, transformation and consumption.
• Evaluate technologies for data solution development.
• Lead development of robust ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Build and optimize batch and real-time processing.
• Ensure data quality, reliability and performance.
• Provide technical leadership and code reviews.

Skills

Masters degree

8+ years experience

Cloud platforms

Python

SQL

Spark

ETL/ELT design

DataOps & DevOps

Git / CI/CD

Docker / Kubernetes

English communication

Regulated industries knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in CS/Engineering/Statistics

Tools

Azure

Databricks

AWS

Snowflake

Job description

Location - Ballerup

Your new role

The Lead Data Engineer in the Commercial AI & Data department is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing data foundation & assets. They are entrusted with making independent decisions on the selection of suitable approaches, and techniques for data preparation and rendering. You will be part of a business area that drives impact across the full Novo Nordisk value chain. We strive to stay close to our stakeholders in the business to ensure we deliver on their needs, helping reach millions of people living with serious chronic diseases. Our focus is on being at the forefront within our three areas; ensuring the highest quality for patients, being a trusted tech leader and an environmentally responsible business.

Your Key Responsibilities Include

• Design enterprise-scale data architectures and data pipelines.
• Define data models, storage strategies, and integration patterns.
• Establish standards for data ingestion, transformation, and consumption.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies for data solution development.
• Data Pipeline Development
• Lead the development of robust ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Build and optimize batch and real-time data processing solutions.
• Ensure high data quality, reliability, and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex data engineering issues.
• Technical Leadership
• Provide technical direction to data engineers.
• Conduct architecture reviews and code reviews.
• Mentor and coach data engineers.
• Establish engineering best practices, design patterns, and development standards.
• Data Governance & Security
• Implement data governance frameworks and standards.
• Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Define metadata management, lineage, and data cataloging strategies.
• Drive master data and data quality initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, data scientists, analysts, and AI product teams.
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Influence platform roadmaps and prioritization decisions.
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• AI & Analytics Enablement
• Build data foundations that support AI, ML, and advanced analytics.
• Develop feature stores and data products for AI use cases.
• Enable self-service analytics capabilities.
• Ensure data availability and reliability for model development and deployment.
• Performance Optimization
• Optimize data processing performance and costs.
• Review platform health, reliability, and scalability and develop action plans.
• Implement observability, monitoring, and alerting solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Delivery & Project Leadership
• Lead delivery of large-scale data engineering projects.
• Manage technical risks and dependencies.
• Coordinate work across multiple teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered with quality, within scope, and on schedule

Your New Department

The Lead Data Engineer in the Commercial AI & Data department is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing data foundation & assets. They are entrusted with making independent decisions on the selection of suitable approaches, and techniques for data preparation and rendering.

Skills & Qualifications.

• Master’s degree in computer science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, data product development, with a focus on designing, developing and delivering large-scale data initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of cloud and data platforms: Azure, Databricks, AWS, and Snowflake.
• Hands-on programming experience in Python, SQL, and Spark.
• Deep expertise in ETL/ELT design, data modeling, data warehousing/lake, streaming technologies (Kafka, events hubs).
• Strong DataOps & DevOps background in Git, CI/CD pipelines, docker/Kubernetes.
• Experience working with cross-functional, matrix teams.
• Proven experience in delivering large-scale data initiatives.
• Solid understanding of MDM, Data Quality, Lineage, Catalog, and Policy Management tools and practices.
• In-depth understanding and practical experience with architecture, implementation, DevOps and support for Data solutions.
• Highly proficient in English and able to communicate with all levels.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or regulated industries is beneficial but not mandatory.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What We Offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Salary

For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 742,600.00 to 1,091,600.00 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.

Incentives and Benefits

The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.