Director, Data & Technology

Flagship Pioneering; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Terrana Biosciences, a Flagship Pioneering venture, is recruiting a Director, Data & Technology to shape company-wide data engineering, IT, software and ML/AI initiatives. You will report to the VP, Strategy and Operations and lead 3–5 direct reports, coordinating with vendors and contractors to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Location options include Durham, NC or Cambridge, MA, with strong emphasis on building scalable data infrastructure and secure IT services.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience across data engineering, software, digital platforms, ML/AI enablement or IT.
• Experience building and executing a technical strategy.
• Experience managing direct reports and external vendors.
• Strong cloud data architecture knowledge; AWS experience preferred.
• Experience deploying production software and ML/AI workflows.
• Knowledge of IT operations, cybersecurity, IAM, and SaaS administration.
• Experience supporting scientific R&D or other technically complex workflows.
• Proven track record delivering high-quality outcomes on time.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a company-wide data strategy.
• Lead 3–5 direct reports plus contractors and vendors.
• Define roles, goals, development plans and performance expectations.
• Translate stakeholder needs into defined projects delivering on time and to spec.
• Evolve Terrana's data architecture and engineering capabilities, including cloud platforms, APIs and integrations.
• Establish and enforce data governance, security and lifecycle policies.
• Collaborate with software engineers, ML/AI scientists and biologists to deploy production workflows.
• Oversee bespoke software development and workflow automation as needed.
• Provide reliable IT services and cybersecurity guidance.

Skills

Data engineering

Software development

ML/AI enablement

IT operations

Leadership & mentoring

Cloud data architecture

AWS experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/related

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Benchling / LIMS

AI-native tools

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting‑edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting‑edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

Terrana is seeking a Director, Data & Technology to develop and lead the company‑wide capabilities that convert data, software, ML/AI and IT into dependable scientific, operational and business outcomes. Reporting to the VP, Strategy and Operations, the Director will develop and execute an integrated strategy for Data Engineering, IT, software and ML/AI development and deployment. The position will lead 3‑5 direct reports and coordinate external vendors, consultants and contractors, set clear priorities, and drive delivery of high‑quality outcomes.

Functional Scope:

• Data Engineering–establishment and governance of FAIR data, resilient data systems, and cost‑effective infrastructure


• IT–management of business systems, access, cybersecurity, and vendors


• Software and ML/AI Deployment–identification, prioritization and selection of highest impact tools, productionization, integration, support, and adoption


• Targeted Software Development –of bespoke, internal tools; workflow automation and integrations for high‑value company requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a company‑wide data strategy and associated execution plan in support of Terrana's strategic priorities


• Lead, coach and manage a multidisciplinary team of 3‑5 direct reports, with additional oversight of contractors, consultants and service providers.


• Establish clear roles, goals, development plans and performance expectations, and create a culture of ownership, collaboration, technical excellence and reliable delivery


• Convert stakeholder needs into well‑defined projects; ensuring work is delivered on time and to specification


• Lead the evolution of Terrana's data architecture and engineering capabilities, including cloud data platforms, data models, pipelines,APIs and integrations across all systems. Ensure FAIR data


• Establish and enforce appropriate data governance, security and lifecycle policies and practices


• Partner with software engineers, ML/AI scientists, computational biologists and domain scientists to deploy software and models into dependable production workflows. Oversee integration, testing, validation, versioning, CI/CD or MLOps, observability and ongoing performance management


• Oversee bespoke software development and workflow automation where required, following clear build/buy/partner evaluations


• Provide reliable and secure IT services through internal resources and external providers, including identity and access, endpoints, business applications, service support, and cybersecurity


• Serve as the primary senior‑leadership interface for the Data function, engaging leadership on strategy, execution progress, decisions, tradeoffs, risks and resource needs, and establishment of steering and decision forums


• Monitor, troubleshoot and optimize systems and services

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data engineering, information systems, bioinformatics or related discipline; an advanced degree or equivalent professional experience is preferred


• 10+ years of progressive experience across data engineering, software, digital platforms, ML/AI enablement or IT


• Demonstrated success developing and executing a technical strategy


• Proven ability to manage direct reports, as well as consultants and service providers


• Strong technical grounding in cloud‑based data architecture and engineering, including data modeling, databases, ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, integrations, accesscontrolsand observability; AWS experience is preferred


• Experience deploying and operating production software and ML/AI‑enabled workflows


• Working knowledge of enterprise IT operations, cybersecurity, identity and access management, and SaaS administration


• Experience supporting scientific, R&D or other technically complex workflows


• Consistent track record of delivering high‑quality outcomes on time and to specification


• Excellent leadership presence, communication and stakeholder‑management skills

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Benchling or another LIMS


• Experience applying generative AI, workflow automation or AI‑native tools

LOCATION: Durham, NC (strongly preferred) or Cambridge, MA

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID‑19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s \"Change the World\" list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

The salary range for this role is $182,000 - $240,000. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Terrana Biosciences, Inc. currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

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