Data Engineer

Roche; Welwyn; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche–Data Engineer role focusing on building the data backbone for AI initiatives. You will extract, transform, and load data from diverse sources while designing scalable architectures to enable ML models in production.

You will collaborate with data scientists and cross‑functional teams, reinforcing MLOps practices, model registry, and containerized deployments to deliver reliable AI capabilities at scale.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in data engineering, data architecture or MLOps.
• Fluent in Python or Scala and SQL.
• Hands-on with big-data processing and Apache ecosystem tools.
• Proven MLOps capabilities including model registry and container deployment.
• Experience with vector databases for AI workloads.

Responsibilities

• Run AI proof‑of‑concept builds and deploy to production.
• Perform ETL from diverse internal and external sources.
• Develop scalable data infrastructure with vector databases.
• Collaborate with Data Scientists to operationalise models.
• Monitor pipelines and enforce data governance.

Skills

Data engineering

Data architecture

MLOps

Python/Scala

Big data orchestration (Apache)

Tools

Container orchestration

Vector databases

AWS/GCP/Azure

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

The Data Engineer is the technical anchor for our advanced analytics and AI roadmap. You extract critical information from disparate systems and design the underlying data architecture that powers our machine-learning models. By running AI proof‑of‑concept builds through the software development lifecycle into production, you turn raw data into practical competitive advantage.

Reporting to the Head of Data, Digitalisation and AI, you will establish the technical backbone for AI initiatives across the affiliate. You will work closely with Data Scientists, Data Consultants and cross-functional squads to transition ideas into scalable solutions, in an environment built to sharpen your MLOps and engineering skills.

The Opportunity

• You run and maintain AI proof‑of‑concept builds, ensuring technical viability and integrating them into production
• You perform complex extraction, transformation and loading from diverse internal and external sources
• You develop and optimise robust data infrastructure, integrating modern storage such as vector databases to support AI, large language models and retrieval‑augmented generation
• You collaborate with Data Scientists to operationalise models, using lifecycle tracking and container orchestration at scale
• You monitor infrastructure and troubleshoot pipeline issues, championing data governance and quality at source
• You partner Data Consultants to turn business needs into functional technical specifications

Who you are

• You bring substantial professional experience in data engineering, data architecture or MLOps
• You have deep technical fluency in relational and non‑relational databases and languages such as Python or Scala
• You have strong hands‑on experience with big‑data processing and orchestration tools in the Apache ecosystem
• You have proven MLOps ability, including model registry and tracking and container deployment at scale
• You have implemented and managed vector databases for AI workloads

Preferred

• A strong understanding of cloud data platforms such as AWS, GCP or Azure
• Experience in a commercial healthcare or life‑sciences environment
• Experience designing scalable, distributed data‑ingestion infrastructure

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Roche Products Ltd. At Roche Products we believe diversity drives innovation and we are committed to building a diverse and flexible working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability or age. We recognise the importance of flexible working and will review all applicants’ requests with care. At Roche difference is valued and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work.