Director, Lab Systems Engineering

About the role

The Director, Business Engagement & Technology, Lab Solutions will lead a global 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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.