Director of AI Optimization and Productization - R&D Data Science & Digital Health

Position Overview

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Director of AI Optimization and Productization within the Data Science & Digital Health (DSDH) team in R&D. This role will lead the training, optimization, and deployment of AI models across the R&D value chain, collaborating with internal and external partners to drive innovation from lab to life while championing patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with AI scientists, R&D partners, and JJT to optimize AI models for large-scale training, inference performance, and deployment in AI products.
• Guide and supervise the productization of AI models into applications for R&D or clinical trials in discovery, biomarkers, and clinical endpoints.
• Oversee the application of enterprise MLOps frameworks, managing the life cycle of DSDH AI models in close collaboration with JJT.
• Plan and model compute capacity needs across DSDH projects in partnership with the Data Strategy & Platform team and JJT.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with DSDH teams, therapeutic areas, and senior stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Attract, develop, and lead a high-performing technical team focused on AI optimization and productization.
• Mentor junior team members and cultivate a culture of continuous learning.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. Additional training or certification in MLOps and AI optimization is a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in AI model development, optimization, and deployment, including full product life cycle management.
• Excellent coding and software development skills with proven leadership in creating scalable AI solutions.
• Deep expertise in MLOps frameworks, deployment pipelines, and monitoring tools, with familiarity in cloud platforms and containerization (experience with AWS is preferred).
• Experience with Agile and DevOps methodologies.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and governance (e.g., GxP, SaMD).
• Strong leadership skills in managing technical teams and working in a matrixed organization on complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Excellent communication skills and strategic thinking capabilities with the ability to align technical execution with business goals.
• Experience in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, or Medical Tech sectors is preferred.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Anticipated base pay range of $160,000 - $276,000.
• Company-sponsored benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident, and group legal insurance.
• Eligibility for a consolidated retirement plan (pension) and a 401(k) savings plan.
• Participation in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
• Time-off benefits such as up to 120 hours of vacation, sick time (up to 40 or 56 hours depending on location), up to 13 days of holiday pay (including floating holidays), and up to 40 hours of work/personal/family time per calendar year.