Hybrid AI/ML Engineering Lead — Life Sciences

MSD UK; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an Associate Director, AI/ML Engineering to build state-of-the-art AI/ML tools and pipelines. You will join a cross-functional team to accelerate scientific discovery and enable researchers and data scientists with scalable, reliable software components.

The role requires leading projects, strong Python/Torch experience, and hands-on cloud skills (AWS, GCP) in a fast-paced life sciences setting.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be an Engineer with a passion to enable teammates with best-in-class tools and pipelines in a fast-paced industry.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills and a team-focused mindset to support AI/ML Engineers and Data Scientists.
• Self-starter who can lead projects independently.
• Experience with Python, Torch, AWS, MLFlow, Docker, GitHub, and GitHub Actions CI/CD workflows.
• Experience building/deploying/scaling novel AI/ML pipelines, particularly transformer-based Foundation Models and representation learning.
• Experience with full SDLC of maintaining Python Packages and Docker images following modern DevSecOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of AI/ML software components for scalable workflows.
• Collaborate in a matrix environment to scope data needs and develop AI/ML solutions.
• Provide tactical and strategic technical support for researchers and data scientists.
• Stay updated with AI/ML advancements and propose innovative approaches.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Transformer Models

Foundation Models

ML Workflow

GitHub

CI/CD

Docker

AWS

GCP

Databricks

Data Science

DevSecOps

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics/Genomics, or related STEM field

Masters with 7+ years of experience

Bachelors with 11+ years of experience

Tools

Python

Torch

AWS

MLFlow

Docker

GitHub

GitHub Actions CI/CD

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an Associate Director, AI/ML Engineering to build state-of-the-art AI/ML tools and pipelines. You will join a cross-functional team to accelerate scientific discovery and enable researchers and data scientists with scalable, reliable software components.

The role requires leading projects, strong Python/Torch experience, and hands-on cloud skills (AWS, GCP) in a fast-paced life sciences setting.