Principal Data Innovation Specialist (RWD)

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

Genentech, a member of the Roche group, seeks a Principal Data Innovation Specialist (RWD) to explore AI-enabled data strategies across clinical, real-world, and operational data. You will prototype novel capabilities, scale multi-agent architectures, and lead complex analytical projects with cross-functional teams.

You will design scalable data pipelines, mentor peers, and ensure governance in alignment with HIPAA/GDPR requirements while advancing evidence generation and decision support in

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience across data engineering, data science, or healthcare innovation settings.
• Proven success implementing innovation pilots with AI-driven analytics and multi-agent architectures.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, validate, and scale AI capabilities, focusing on multi-agent development.
• Lead robust data engineering activities to design scalable data pipelines for multi-modal data.
• Drive innovation projects exploring new data types, agent-driven workflows, and knowledge graph integrations.
• Partner with scientists, engineers, and product teams to pilot data innovations and integrate pipelines.
• Develop low-/no-code analytics platforms to democratize multi-modal data access.
• Mentor junior team members on emerging data tools and architectures.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR).

Skills

AI & agent architecture

Data engineering

Analytical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Platform & tool creation

Mentorship & SMEs

Compliance & governance

Global communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science or related field

Tools

Knowledge graphs

APIs

AI frameworks

Job description

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche. This role is based in the Real-World & Clinical Data Strategy (RWCDS) team which drives data excellence and analytics to power enhanced decision-making and evidence-generation within Roche Product Development (PD). We develop and implement data strategies that unlock the value of clinical, operational, and real-world data to accelerate evidence generation, decision‑making, and innovation across PD and beyond. By embedding FAIR principles, advancing data governance, and enabling data productization, RWCDS ensures that data is not only findable and usable, but also a driver of scientific rigor, regulatory readiness, and AI-powered transformation. Through deep partnerships with internal functions and external collaborators, we shape a future‑ready data ecosystem that supports personalized healthcare and efficient drug development.

The Opportunity

The Principal Data Innovation Specialist (RWD) helps identify, prototype, and scale novel methods and technologies that transform how data is used across product development. Reporting to the Data Innovation Lead, you will explore emerging capabilities such as AI, semantic integration, and knowledge graphs to unlock new use cases for clinical, real-world, and operational data. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, product teams, and external partners to design proof-of-concepts, validate innovative solutions, and assess long‑term feasibility. This role requires curiosity, strong technical grounding, and a mindset oriented toward experimentation and continuous learning.

• Multi-Agent & AI Development: Prototype, validate, and scale advanced AI capabilities, focusing heavily on multi-agent development and orchestration architectures to unlock complex use cases across product development.
• Core Data Engineering: Lead robust data engineering activities to design, optimize, and streamline data workflows, building scalable data pipelines that integrate unstructured, multi-modal, and unconventional data sources.
• Analytical Project Leadership: Drive innovation activities and lead complex analytical projects focused on exploring novel data types , automated agent-driven workflows, and knowledge graph integrations in a multi-modal environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with scientists, engineers, and product teams to pilot data innovations , integrating advanced engineering pipelines and multi-agent frameworks into broader clinical development and data science workflows.
• Platform & Tool Creation: Drive the development of low-/no-code analytics platforms to democratize multi-modal data access and establish frameworks for the scalable evaluation, productization, and reuse of experimental data approaches.
• Subject Matter Expertise & Mentorship: Serve as an innovation methodology expert , guiding peers through new data modalities while mentoring junior team members on cutting-edge techniques, data tools, and agent architectures.
• Compliance & Data Governance: Proactively identify innovation areas via research while ensuring all engineering and AI frameworks maintain absolute compliance with data privacy and security regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.

Who You Are

• Educational & Professional Foundation: You hold a Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field , with 6+ years of experience across data engineering, data science, or healthcare innovation settings.
• AI & Agent Architecture Expertise: You demonstrate proven success implementing innovation pilots , with deep practical experience in AI-driven analytics, multi-agent architectures, and the application of engineering frameworks in complex research or industry environments.
• Methodological Frameworks: You are highly proficient with agile development, product-thinking , and innovation lifecycle frameworks (such as Lean Startup or Design Thinking) , alongside experience evaluating new data platforms, APIs, or data partnerships.
• Strategic & Independent Agility: You possess exceptional critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and independent decision‑making capabilities that extend across both technical engineering domains and broader strategic areas.
• Global Communication & Collaboration: You have excellent presentation and communication skills to explain complex technical concepts simply , thrive in a culturally diverse global workplace , and actively contribute to internal or external biomedical innovation communities.

Preferred:

• Exposure to real-world data or research informatics in a biomedical setting
• Interest in emerging technologies such as machine learning, knowledge graphs, or clinical AI
• Ability to summarize results for both technical and non-technical audiences

Relocation benefits are not available for this posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $140,900.00 - $261,700.00 USD Annual. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

Who We Are

Genentech, a member of the Roche group and founder of the biotechnology industry, is dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life‑threatening diseases. To solve the world's most complex health challenges, we ask bigger questions that challenge our industry and the boundaries of science to transform society. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The next step is yours.

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.