Associate Director, Data/AI Solution Architect, PDM & Tech Ops - Foster City

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.
 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description
 

As part of Gilead’s enterprise AI and digital strategy to accelerate insights and decision‑making, we are seeking an Associate Director, Data/AI Solution Architect to lead the design of Data and AI solutions across the PDM and Tech Ops (Gilead and Kite). In this role, you will partner closely with business stakeholders, and Data/AI Product Owners, Technical Delivery Leads and Platform Leads to determine the right solution architecture for predictive analytics and AI‑driven insights. You will drive technical excellence through architectural design, modeling approach, and platform selection—ensuring scalable solutions, aligned to Gilead standards, that translate complex digital needs into actionable insights.

This position will report to the Director, Data/AI, PDM and Tech Ops and is based in Foster City, CA (hybrid‑eligible).

As a Associate Director, Data/AI Solution Architect, PDM & Tech Ops, at Gilead you will ... 

Key Responsibilities

·       Define end‑to‑end AI and analytics solution architectures across PDM and Tech Ops domains, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and serialization use cases.

·       Design how solutions are delivered, including data flows, AI/ML modeling approaches, integration patterns, and analytics outputs aligned with enterprise and regulatory standards.

·       Partner with business stakeholders and Product Owners to translate business requirements into clear solution blueprints and technical designs.

·       Evaluate build vs. buy options and recommend AI platforms, tools, and frameworks aligned with Gilead and Kite enterprise strategy.

·       Provide architectural guidance to data engineering, data science, and delivery teams to ensure scalable, reusable, and performant solutions.

·       Ensure AI solutions adhere to GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, validation, privacy, security, and data governance requirements.

·       Serve as a technical escalation point and ensure architectural integrity throughout the solution lifecycle.

·       Collaborate with QA, Compliance, and Validation teams on qualification and validation documentation and execution.

·       Develop and maintain architecture documentation, design artifacts, and system diagrams.

·       Stay current with emerging AI, analytics, and cloud technologies applicable to regulated life sciences environments.

Basic Qualifications: 

Bachelor's Degree and Ten Years' Experience 

OR 

Masters' Degree and Eight Years' Experience 

OR 

PhD and Two Years' Experience 

Preferred Qualifications: 

·       Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences manufacturing environments strongly preferred

·       Deep experience designing enterprise AI, advanced analytics, and data platforms in regulated environments.

·       Strong understanding of PDM and Tech Ops business processes including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, CMC and serialization.

·       Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred), data lakes, data warehouses, and analytics platforms.

·       Experien