Lead Data Engineer

Novo Nordisk A/S; Pederstrup; On-site; DKK 742,600 - 1,091,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentives

Benefits

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S is seeking a Lead Data Engineer in the Commercial AI & Data department to design, develop, and implement data foundations and assets that enable AI, ML, and analytics across the value chain.

You will lead data pipelines, govern data quality, and mentor engineers while collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and product teams to drive scalable solutions and robust data platforms.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, and data product development with large-scale initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of cloud and data platforms: Azure, Databricks, AWS, and Snowflake.
• Hands-on programming in Python, SQL, and Spark.
• Deep expertise in ETL/ELT design, data modeling, data warehousing/lake, and streaming technologies like Kafka.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Conduct architecture reviews and code reviews.
• Mentor and coach data engineers.
• Establish engineering best practices and development standards.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Optimize data processing performance and costs.
• Review platform health, reliability, and scalability.
• Implement observability, monitoring, and alerting solutions.
• 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

Skills

8+ years data engineering

Data architecture

Data product development

Cloud platforms

Python

SQL

Spark

Git/CI/CD

Cross-functional collaboration

Data governance

Education

Master’s degree in computer science, Statistics, Engineering or related field

Tools

Azure

Databricks

AWS

Snowflake

Kafka

Job description

TheLeadDataEngineerin the Commercial AI & Data departmentis responsible fordesigning, developing, and implementingdata foundation & assets.They are entrusted with making independent decisions on theselectionof suitableapproaches, and techniques for datapreparation andrendering.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 datasolution development.
• Lead the development of robust ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Build andoptimizebatch and real-time data processing solutions.
• Ensure high data quality, reliability, and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex data engineering issues.

3. Technical Leadership

• Conduct architecture reviews and code reviews.
• Mentor and coach data engineers.
• Establish engineering best practices, design patterns, and development standards.

4. 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.

5. Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with business stakeholders, data scientists, analysts, andAIproduct teams.
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Influence platform roadmaps and prioritization decisions.
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

6. 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.

7. Performance Optimization

• Optimizedata processing performance and costs.
• Reviewplatform health, reliability, and scalabilityand develop action plans.
• Implement observability, monitoring, and alerting solutions.

8. 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:

TheLeadDataEngineerin the Commercial AI & Data departmentis responsible fordesigning, developing, and implementingdata foundation & assets.They are entrusted with making independent decisions on theselectionof suitableapproaches, and techniques for datapreparation andrendering.

Skills & Qualifications.

• Master’s degree in computer science, Statistics,Engineering, ora related field.
• 8+ years of experience in dataengineering,data architecture,data product development, with a focus ondesigning,developinganddeliveringlarge-scale data initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge ofcloud and data platforms: Azure, Databricks, AWS,andSnowflake.
• Hands-on programming experience in Python, SQL, and Spark.
• Deepexpertisein ETL/ELT design, data modeling, data warehousing/lake, streaming technologies (Kafka, events hubs).
• StrongDataOps&DevOps background in Git, CI/CD pipelines, docker/Kubernetes.
• Experience working with cross-functional, matrixteams.
• Solid understanding ofMDM, Data Quality, Lineage, Catalog,and Policy Managementtools and practices.
• In‑depth understanding and practical experience with architecture, implementation,DevOpsand support forDatasolutions.
• 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.

For this role, the Annual B ase S alary ranges from 742,600.00 to 1,091,600.00 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience.

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.