Director, Application Engineering

In this role, you will oversee application engineering strategy and execution, ensuring that software solutions meet operational needs, technical standards, and regulatory expectations. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and ongoing support of internally developed software applications supporting clinical research operations.

• Transform approved requirements, prototypes, and business concepts into secure, scalable, maintainable production systems.

• Maintain hands-on involvement in software design, architecture reviews, development activities, and code reviews.

• Oversee application release management, deployment processes, and production readiness across the software portfolio.

• Establish and continuously improve software development lifecycle (SDLC) standards, methodologies, and engineering processes.

• Define and maintain best practices for code quality, testing, continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), version control, change management, release governance, and technical documentation.

• Establish engineering quality metrics, review processes, and delivery standards to promote consistency and operational excellence.

• Ensure that technical documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and audit-ready evidence are maintained throughout the application lifecycle.

• Lead the adoption and governance of AI-assisted software development tools and practices across the engineering organization.

• Define responsible AI usage standards covering software development, testing, documentation, and code reviews while ensuring compliance with security, privacy, and data-handling requirements.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and development methodologies to improve engineering productivity, software quality, and delivery outcomes.

• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and Enterprise Architecture teams to design secure, scalable, and maintainable application solutions.

• Define infrastructure requirements and infrastructure-as-code standards that support reliable application delivery.

• Contribute to technology roadmaps and architectural decisions aligned with organizational growth and long-term objectives.

• Ensure applications are developed, tested, deployed, and maintained in accordance with applicable quality, validation, and regulatory standards.

• Partner with Quality, Compliance, and business stakeholders to support system validation, change control, risk management, and audit readiness.

• Maintain appropriate controls, traceability, and documentation supporting GxP, SOC 2, and other applicable compliance frameworks.

• Support internal and external audits by providing technical documentation, system evidence, and control validation records.

• Lead, mentor, and develop software engineers through coaching, technical guidance, performance management, and career development planning.

• Foster a high-performance engineering culture built on accountability, collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Work with business and technology leaders to prioritize initiatives, allocate resources, and manage delivery expectations.

• Develop staffing plans and recruitment strategies to support engineering team growth and evolving technical requirements.

• Establish clear support ownership, operational readiness standards, and escalation processes for delivered applications.