Automation and AI Engineering Lead

Job Title - Automation and AI Engineering Lead - PlatformX
Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at .

Astellas' Global Capability Centers – Overview
Astellas' Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are strategically located sites that give Astellas the ability to access talent across various functions in the value chain and to co-locate core capabilities that are currently dispersed. Our three GCCs are in India, Poland and Mexico.

The GCCs will enhance our operational efficiency, resilience and innovation potential, enabling a timely response to changing business demands.

Our GCCs are an integral part of Astellas, guided by our shared values and behaviors, and are critical enablers of the company's strategic priorities, sustainable growth, and commitment to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients.

This position is based in Bengaluru and will require some on-site work.

Purpose And Scope
As a PlatformX Automation and AI Engineering Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping and driving our digital initiatives forward for automation and AI Engineering solutions, architecture and strategy at Astellas. Your expertise and proven experience will drive the design, development, solution and scale our Business and functional automation journey. You will play a pivotal role in managing, building, maintaining and enhancing our automation capabilities across the organisation. Our operating model consists of two components – Digital Capability and Digital Execution. Digital Execution are about aligning multiple missions around business goals and facilitating collaboration on a larger scale. Digital Capability, on the other hand, focus on the growth and development of individuals within a specific expertise area. This dual structure enables us to scale agile practices efficiently while maintaining a focus on both product development and individual skill enhancement.

You will be at the forefront of implementing innovative solutions and will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies in your field.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Alignment: Work closely with business leaders to understand their strategic objectives and identify how digital technologies can support or enhance these goals through Automation and AI Engineering. Ensure that digital initiatives are perfectly aligned with the business strategy.
• Agile Advocacy: Promote the adoption and implementation of Agile methodologies within both the DigitalX and business units. Facilitate Agile practices to ensure that digital projects are delivered with flexibility, speed, and customer focus.
• Digital Innovation: Act as a champion for digital innovation across the organization. Identify and evaluate new digital technologies, trends, and practices that could benefit the business. Advocate for innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers and the market.
• Initiative Facilitation: Oversee digital initiatives from conception to implementation, ensuring they are executed within an Agile framework. Collaborate with Agile teams to prioritize backlogs, plan sprints, and deliver functional increments that provide value.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact between business stakeholders and digital/IT teams. Facilitate communication and collaboration to ensure that digital projects meet business requirements and expectations.
• Change Management: Lead change management efforts related to digital transformation initiatives. Educate and prepare business units for changes in processes, tools, and culture associated with digital projects.
• Performance Measurement: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital initiatives to evaluate their impact on business outcomes. Use data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Design and Architect Automation Frameworks/solutions: Develop and execute strategies for automation processes utilizing Workflow Management, AI and Machine Learning across the business.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives identifying opportunities to optimize performance security and maintainability of existing automation architecture and other technology investments.
• Maintain Automation Systems: Ensure the ongoing functionality and efficiency of automation systems.
• Develop Project Plans: Create detailed plans for automation initiatives, including resource and budget estimations.
• Create Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of automation processes and test procedures.
• Provide Training: Offer guidance and training to team members on automation tools.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams and practices across the organization including Commercial, Manufacturing, Medical, DataX, GrowthX and support other X (transformation) Hubs and Practices as appropriate, to understand user needs and translate them into technical solutions.
• Participate in the continuous delivery pipeline Adhering to DevOps best practices for version control automation and deployment. Ensuring effective management of the PlatformX backlog.
• Stay-up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in Automation and AI
• Collaborate with cross functional teams and practices across the organization including Commercial, Manufacturing, Medical, InformationX, GrowthX and support other X (transformation) Hubs and Practices as appropriate, to understand user needs and translate them into technical solutions.
• Provide Technical Support to internal users troubleshooting complex issues and ensuring system uptime as soon as possible.
• Participate in the continuous delivery pipeline. Adhering to DevOps best practices for version control automation and deployment. Ensuring effective management of the PlatformX backlog.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's or master's degree in relevant field, e.g., Computer Science, Engineering and/or AI.
• Minimum of 10 years in software development and automation, with at least 5-8 years in an architect role.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand and align digital initiatives with broader business strategies and objectives.
• Knowledge of Agile Methodologies: Deep understanding of Agile principles and practices, and the ability to apply them to digital initiatives.
• Digital Acumen: Strong grasp of digital technologies and trends, and their application in solving business problems and enhancing customer experiences.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Proven leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with business and Digital teams, fostering an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on using data to drive decision-making and measure performance.
• Change Management: Experience in leading change management initiatives, particularly those associated with digital transformation and Agile adoption.
• Proficiency in automation tools (e.g., Selenium, Jenkins), programming languages (e.g., Java, Python), and database management systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL), APIs and Integration solution
• Experienced in data onboarding (parsing, field extractions, source types)
• Familiar with Splunk REST API and Python SDK for automation
• Able to integrate Splunk with external tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira)
• Experience with distributed Splunk architecture (indexers, search heads, forwarders)
• Worked on multiple Python-based projects and Workflow Management Automated solutions implementations
• Familiarity automating and integrating with platforms ( SAP, ServiceNow, Veeva, Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft)

Preferred

• Agile Champion: Adherence to DevOps principles and a proven track record with CI/CD pipelines for continuous delivery
• Automation implementation and maintenance of corporate platforms (Automation Anywhere, Digitate Ignio, MyWizard)
• Experience within Life Sciences/ Pharma /Manufacturing industry is preferred.

Working Environment

• This position is hybrid with 2 days in office at Bengaluru, India

Category TechX

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans