Senior Manager, AI Engineering

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 152,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Plan with company match

15+ vacation days

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeking a Manager, AI Engineering to drive enterprise AI and analytics capabilities in San Diego, CA. This hybrid role requires working in the office approximately three days per week, facilitating a blend of collaboration and remote work.

The ideal candidate will design, build, and deploy scalable AI/ML solutions, supporting R&D, Commercial, and Corporate functions. A master's degree or PhD and 5+ years of experience in applied data science are required.

Offering competitive compensation, including medical benefits and stock options.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands‑on experience in applied data science and machine learning.
• Experience working with large language models and vector databases.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and common ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and deploy machine learning solutions.
• Contribute to execution of the enterprise AI strategy.
• Partner with teams to identify and deliver high-value AI use cases.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning frameworks

ML Ops practices

GenAI technologies

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Job description

Location: San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Princeton, NJ. This hybrid role requires working in the office approximately three days per week.

Position Summary

The Manager, AI Engineering plays a key role in advancing Acadia's enterprise AI and analytics capabilities. The role designs, builds, and deploys scalable AI/ML and GenAI solutions that deliver measurable business impact across R&D, Commercial, and Corporate functions. As a core member of the Artificial Intelligence organization, the Manager will contribute to the enterprise AI strategy, support responsible AI governance, and help operationalize advanced analytics and machine learning at scale across Acadia globally.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and deploy machine learning, statistical, and GenAI solutions that address complex business problems and support enterprise priorities
• Contribute to execution of the enterprise AI strategy and roadmap by providing technical input on use‑case feasibility, value hypotheses, architecture decisions, and build‑vs‑buy assessments
• Build and maintain scalable ML and LLM pipelines from data ingestion through production, adhering to established ML Ops and LLM Ops standards including versioning, evaluation, observability, and rollback
• Partner with business, analytics, IT, and security teams to identify, prototype, and deliver high‑value AI use cases across the organization
• Evaluate and integrate AI and GenAI platform components such as model endpoints, vector databases, agent frameworks, and guardrails in alignment with enterprise architecture standards
• Contribute to AI governance by supporting model documentation, lineage, risk assessment, bias testing, explainability, and compliance with applicable regulations and frameworks
• Provide technical input into AI platform and vendor evaluations, including RFI/RFP activities and assessments of cost, security, and data residency
• Support AI enablement efforts through development of reusable patterns, reference implementations, and technical documentation to accelerate adoption
• Apply and uphold policies for AI lifecycle management, bias/robustness testing, explainability, human oversight, and incident response. Support mapping of AI controls to major frameworks and regulations (e.g., NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act readiness) to ensure responsible and compliant AI deployment
• Ensure all data science work complies with global AI regulations, ethical standards, and applicable GxP processes
• Participate in cross‑functional AI Governance Council activities as requested, providing technical expertise on model risk and data science practices
• Other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years hands‑on experience in applied data science and machine learning, including model development, deployment, and production support
• Advanced proficiency in Python and common ML frameworks and tools such as scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and SQL
• Practical experience with ML Ops and LLM Ops practices including model registries, version control, evaluation benchmarks, and monitoring
• Experience working with large language models, GenAI technologies, vector databases, or agent frameworks
• Experience operating in a regulated environment and following GxP or similar compliance processes
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

Salary Range

$122,000 – $152,600 USD

What We Offer

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer‑paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2‑year purchase price lock‑in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13‑15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement (US‑based Employees)

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn't exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally‑protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia's career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at [e-mail] or 858‑261‑2923.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.