Domain Architect - Dia R&D

About the role

The Domain Architect – Diagnostics R&D is a senior-level, key position within the SPG Enterprise Architecture Business Partnering Functions team. This role acts as a critical bridge between the Strategy, Portfolio & Governance (SPG) organization and the Diagnostics R&D function. Reporting directly to the Head of Enterprise Architecture - Business Partnering Functions with a dotted line to the Head of Dia RDT for DIA R&D, you will champion enterprise architecture practices while deeply understanding the unique complexities of the Diagnostics R&D environment.

In Roche’s federated R&D model, you will lead the Diagnostics R&D architecture network, which includes domain and solution architects embedded within the organization. Your leadership will drive architecture governance, strategy formulation, enterprise coherence, and the translation of business goals into adaptable, future-ready roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partnering: Act as the strategic liaison between SPG Enterprise Architecture and Diagnostics R&D. Partner with the Head of Dia RDT for DIA R&D and the R&D DT Leadership team to align business priorities with multi-year roadmaps and target-state architectures, ensuring domain strategies align with enterprise goals.
• Architecture Network Orchestration: Lead the Diagnostics R&D architecture network by shaping and promoting shared strategic priorities. Enable Domain and Solution Architects to execute efficiently while maintaining alignment and maximizing the use of shared principles and platforms.
• Architecture Governance Leadership: Provide leadership for governance activities across Diagnostics R&D in collaboration with embedded domain architects. Oversee architecture deliverables, technology guardrails, and create alignment on non-functional requirements (e.g., security, resilience). Represent architecture within other Governance bodies (e.g., Portfolio).
• Critical Program Delivery: Drive the success of large, critical technology programs in Diagnostics R&D. Translate strategy into action and ensure transformative initiatives deliver intended business value while providing architectural oversight.
• Domain Architecture Deliverables: Lead the development and upkeep of core architecture artifacts for Diagnostics R&D. Ensure data accuracy across the standard architecture and RDT toolchain, delivering key outputs such as Capability Maps, Target-State Architectures, Architecture Standards, and Reference Architectures.
• Portfolio & Investment Alignment: Work with Diagnostics R&D Portfolio Management and Functional Heads to embed architectural insights into investment decisions. Evaluate the impacts of strategies, address architectural gaps, and prevent fragmentation by maximizing platform reuse and managing technical debt.
• Technology Innovation & Vendor Evaluation: Monitor emerging technology trends and evaluate vendors to ensure alignment with Diagnostics R&D needs. Stay updated on vendor developments to maintain an effective and future-ready architecture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 7+ years of experience in IT and architecture.
• Deep domain experience within the Diagnostics R&D environment, including a comprehensive understanding of scientific, clinical, and engineering processes (e.g., Computational Science, Instrumentation, Laboratory Operations).
• A successful history of contributing as a Domain or Enterprise Architect within a complex, matrixed, or federated global organization.

Skills

• Proficiency in designing target-state architectures and evolving capability roadmaps for complex R&D organizations.
• Cloud-native architecture on AWS: microservices, event-driven patterns, API-first design, infrastructure-as-code. Practical experience with multi-tenant scientific platforms.
• Data architecture for R&D: lakehouse patterns, streaming and batch pipelines, data lineage, and observability across heterogeneous scientific data sources.
• Regulatory-aware architecture in Diagnostics or Life Sciences (IEC 62304, 21 CFR Part 11, EU IVDR, GxP) — able to meet compliance requirements without defaulting to heavyweight processes.
• Application portfolio rationalization: dependency mapping, decommissioning sequencing, data migration, and governance to sunset legacy systems without disrupting business continuity.
• Cross-domain technical fluency spanning clinical development systems, computational science platforms, laboratory informatics (LIMS, ELN), and instrumentation. Ability to challenge and align Solution Architects across these domains.
• Knowledge of architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF) as a reference.
• Experience utilizing flexible delivery methodologies to drive meaningful value, prioritizing practical outcomes over rigid process adherence.
• A thorough and pragmatic approach to developing sustainable, outcome-driven solutions.

Additional Qualifications

• Network & Community Leadership: Demonstrated ability in leading and influencing federated networks of architects without direct reporting lines. Inspires and empowers diverse partners to align and act with a unified voice.
• Strategic Advisory & Executive Influence: Builds trust and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and Global Function Heads. Combines business acumen and executive presence to guide strategic decisions and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Effective Communication: Excels in storytelling, translating complex architectural concepts into relatable narratives. Balances enterprise coherence with the agility and autonomy of local Diagnostics R&D execution.
• AI/ML platform architecture (strongly preferred): Model serving, GPU orchestration, ML pipelines at organizational scale.
• Agentic AI patterns (strongly preferred): Tool orchestration, agent-to-agent protocols (MCP, A2A), guardrails, and human-in-the-loop design for scientific workflows. Usage of LLMs and SLMs in Life Sciences.
• Instrumentation and lab systems integration (strongly preferred): Edge-to-cloud telemetry, instrument data acquisition, OT/IT boundary in diagnostics.
• Proven ability to govern through influence, reference architectures, and design reviews rather than gate-based control.
• Understanding of Hardware Development patterns.

Pay

The expected salary range for this position, based on the primary location of Warsaw Grafit, is 280,000.00 PLN - 520,000.00 PLN. Final compensation will be determined by skills, experience, qualifications, and location. This role may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus with a target of 20%, subject to both individual and company performance.

Benefits

This position offers an attractive benefits package. Learn more about how Roche rewards its employees at Roche Careers.