Director, Lab Systems Engineering
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Director, Lab Systems Engineering
Job Description
Job DescriptionGeneral / Position Summary The Director, Business Engagement & Technology, Lab Solutions will lead a team responsible for the architecture, delivery, security, support, and continuous evolution of enterprise laboratory technology platforms – including laboratory Operational Technology (OT) such as information/cyber security, sensors, and IoT enabled lab environments - across all Vertex labs and manufacturing shop floors. This role serves as a senior technology and business partner, ensuring reliable, compliant, and scalable lab operations while advancing the future of the physical and digital laboratory. Operating within highly regulated GxP and SOX environments, the Director is accountable for operational excellence, financial stewardship, and risk management across a complex laboratory technology landscape, including ownership of an approximately $10M annual operating budget. In parallel, the role provides strategic leadership in identifying, piloting, and scaling innovative technologies—such as intelligent and agentic workflows, passive data capture from laboratory endpoints, IoT‑enabled environments, and wearable or sensor‑based solutions—to accelerate scientific outcomes and enable next‑generation lab capabilities. Key Duties & Responsibilities Build and sustain strong, trust‑based relationships with senior business, quality, and DTE leaders, acting as a strategic partner with sustained impact on enterprise laboratory goals. Lead, develop, and retain a highly effective Lab Engineering Support team, leveraging internal resources and external partners through a managed service provider model. Ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operations across both IT and OT environments by implementing industry‑standard best practices aligned with cyber security, ITSM, ITIL, and DTE system lifecycle standards. Serve as the primary point of accountability for laboratory technology (including laboratory IT and OT systems) operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments, partnering closely with DTE Compliance, Cyber Security, Internal Audit, and Quality Assurance. Own and manage an approximately $10M operating budget, ensuring disciplined financial planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization across services and platforms. Partner with business stakeholders across the enterprise to manage and prioritize service demand, balancing operational stability, risk, and strategic investment. Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements, ensuring high‑quality delivery, adherence to timelines, and alignment with business outcomes. Establish, track, and communicate operational performance metrics, financial impact, and value drivers associated with laboratory technology investments. Continuously enhance internal processes related to security, demand management, resource planning, project delivery, platform releases, and ongoing operational support. Lead technology‑driven initiatives that modernize the laboratory environment by evaluating and advancing emerging capabilities such as intelligent automation, agentic workflows, passive data capture, IoT‑enabled instruments, and connected lab environments. Translate innovation opportunities into pragmatic, compliant roadmaps that improve scientific productivity, operational efficiency, and long‑term scalability. Document and present complex technical issues, architectural options, and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences. Manage strategic relationships with technology vendors and service providers to ensure performance, security, compliance, and long‑term value. Attract, develop, and retain top talent; serve as a people manager with full accountability for performance management, talent development, and financial stewardship of assigned staff. Required Education Level Bachelor’s degree required (B.S. or equivalent). Advanced degree preferred. Required Experience Requires 10+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated leadership experience managing enterprise‑scale technology platforms and support organizations. Proven experience operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments. Experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and vendor ecosystems with financial accountability. Required Knowledge / Skills Strong senior‑level business engagement and stakeholder partnership capabilities. Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, IT service management, and system lifecycle practices. Proven people leadership experience with a track record of building and sustaining high‑performing teams. Program, portfolio, demand, and financial management expertise. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and executive‑level presentation skills. Ability to balance operational stability with innovation in regulated environments. Experience working across global, multi‑site laboratory organizations. Experience leveraging managed services and external partners at scale. *LI-EE1Pay Range:$198,000 - $297,000Disclosure Statement:The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.Flex Designation:Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site EligibleFlex Eligibility Status:In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: 1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time. #LI-Hybrid Company InformationVertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com
Locations
- MA, Boston
Salary
198,000 - 297,000 USD / yearly
Skills Required
- track record of buildingintermediate
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (B.S. or equivalent). (degree in equivalent)
- Advanced degree preferred. (degree)
- Requires 10+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (experience, 10 years)
- Requires 10+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (experience, 10 years)
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing enterprise‑scale technology platforms and support organizations. (experience)
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing enterprise‑scale technology platforms and support organizations. (experience)
- Proven experience operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments. (experience)
- Proven experience operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments. (experience)
- Experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and vendor ecosystems with financial accountability. (experience)
- Experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and vendor ecosystems with financial accountability. (experience)
- Strong senior‑level business engagement and stakeholder partnership capabilities. (experience)
- Strong senior‑level business engagement and stakeholder partnership capabilities. (experience)
- Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, IT service management, and system lifecycle practices. (experience)
- Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, IT service management, and system lifecycle practices. (experience)
- Proven people leadership experience with a track record of building and sustaining high‑performing teams. (experience)
- Proven people leadership experience with a track record of building and sustaining high‑performing teams. (experience)
- Program, portfolio, demand, and financial management expertise. (experience)
- Program, portfolio, demand, and financial management expertise. (experience)
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and executive‑level presentation skills. (experience)
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and executive‑level presentation skills. (experience)
- Ability to balance operational stability with innovation in regulated environments. (experience)
- Ability to balance operational stability with innovation in regulated environments. (experience)
- Experience working across global, multi‑site laboratory organizations. (experience)
- Experience working across global, multi‑site laboratory organizations. (experience)
- Experience leveraging managed services and external partners at scale. (experience)
- Experience leveraging managed services and external partners at scale. (experience)
Responsibilities
- Build and sustain strong, trust‑based relationships with senior business, quality, and DTE leaders, acting as a strategic partner with sustained impact on enterprise laboratory goals.
- Build and sustain strong, trust‑based relationships with senior business, quality, and DTE leaders, acting as a strategic partner with sustained impact on enterprise laboratory goals.
- Lead, develop, and retain a highly effective Lab Engineering Support team, leveraging internal resources and external partners through a managed service provider model.
- Lead, develop, and retain a highly effective Lab Engineering Support team, leveraging internal resources and external partners through a managed service provider model.
- Ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operations across both IT and OT environments by implementing industry‑standard best practices aligned with cyber security, ITSM, ITIL, and DTE system lifecycle standards.
- Ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operations across both IT and OT environments by implementing industry‑standard best practices aligned with cyber security, ITSM, ITIL, and DTE system lifecycle standards.
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for laboratory technology (including laboratory IT and OT systems) operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments, partnering closely with DTE Compliance, Cyber Security, Internal Audit, and Quality Assurance.
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for laboratory technology (including laboratory IT and OT systems) operating within GxP‑ and SOX‑regulated environments, partnering closely with DTE Compliance, Cyber Security, Internal Audit, and Quality Assurance.
- Own and manage an approximately $10M operating budget, ensuring disciplined financial planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization across services and platforms.
- Own and manage an approximately $10M operating budget, ensuring disciplined financial planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization across services and platforms.
- Partner with business stakeholders across the enterprise to manage and prioritize service demand, balancing operational stability, risk, and strategic investment.
- Partner with business stakeholders across the enterprise to manage and prioritize service demand, balancing operational stability, risk, and strategic investment.
- Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements, ensuring high‑quality delivery, adherence to timelines, and alignment with business outcomes.
- Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements, ensuring high‑quality delivery, adherence to timelines, and alignment with business outcomes.
- Establish, track, and communicate operational performance metrics, financial impact, and value drivers associated with laboratory technology investments.
- Establish, track, and communicate operational performance metrics, financial impact, and value drivers associated with laboratory technology investments.
- Continuously enhance internal processes related to security, demand management, resource planning, project delivery, platform releases, and ongoing operational support.
- Continuously enhance internal processes related to security, demand management, resource planning, project delivery, platform releases, and ongoing operational support.
- Lead technology‑driven initiatives that modernize the laboratory environment by evaluating and advancing emerging capabilities such as intelligent automation, agentic workflows, passive data capture, IoT‑enabled instruments, and connected lab environments.
- Lead technology‑driven initiatives that modernize the laboratory environment by evaluating and advancing emerging capabilities such as intelligent automation, agentic workflows, passive data capture, IoT‑enabled instruments, and connected lab environments.
- Translate innovation opportunities into pragmatic, compliant roadmaps that improve scientific productivity, operational efficiency, and long‑term scalability.
- Translate innovation opportunities into pragmatic, compliant roadmaps that improve scientific productivity, operational efficiency, and long‑term scalability.
- Document and present complex technical issues, architectural options, and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Document and present complex technical issues, architectural options, and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Manage strategic relationships with technology vendors and service providers to ensure performance, security, compliance, and long‑term value.
- Manage strategic relationships with technology vendors and service providers to ensure performance, security, compliance, and long‑term value.
- Attract, develop, and retain top talent; serve as a people manager with full accountability for performance management, talent development, and financial stewardship of assigned staff.
- Attract, develop, and retain top talent; serve as a people manager with full accountability for performance management, talent development, and financial stewardship of assigned staff.
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