Job Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, AI Coding Platforms to lead our AI coding ecosystem. Reporting to the Senior Director, AI Platforms, you will be responsible for managing and scaling advanced agentic workflows and tools for full-time developers. Additionally, you will oversee a governed platform that enables scientists, researchers, and technical staff to securely integrate LLMs into their work while adhering to security and compliance frameworks. This role is critical in driving innovation, ensuring security, and enabling technical teams to leverage AI effectively across the organization.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Engineering Enablement and Tool Strategy

• Act as the primary owner for our AI developer stack, managing the current implementation of AI-assisted IDE extensions and evaluating next-generation agentic coding tools as they emerge.
• Partner directly with Software Engineering to design and implement workflows that move beyond simple autocomplete to autonomous debugging and refactoring.
• Collaborate closely with Security to ensure all third-party AI tools meet privacy standards and prevent exposure of proprietary source code to external models.
• Regularly audit the AI coding landscape to ensure developers have access to the most effective, safe, and modern tools available.

Managed Platform and Governance for Technical Teams

• Design and build interfaces to render applications inside AI assistants, enabling real-time app functionality alongside user input in natural language.
• Develop and manage the internal platform providing scientists and data researchers with secure, governed access to LLM APIs. This includes overseeing model selection, rate limiting, and cost management.
• Partner with Security and Data Governance teams to ensure all API-driven workflows mitigate data exposure risks and align with internal privacy standards.
• Establish and enforce standardized coding practices for non-application developers, ensuring all AI-generated scripts and models are version-controlled in source control and passed through necessary security and application testing.
• Represent the AI Coding Platform on Vertex's cross-functional AI governance team, collaborating with legal, security, and technical leads to evolve enterprise AI policies.

Knowledge And Skills

• Proven experience in designing and implementing AI-driven platforms, particularly those leveraging LLMs and RAG architectures.
• Expertise in prompt engineering, retrieval pipelines, and modular AI system design.
• Strong background in engineering data workflows, including structured and unstructured data integration.
• Experience with automated testing and validation frameworks, particularly in regulated industries.
• Proficiency in cloud infrastructure optimization for AI workloads.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical challenges.
• Familiarity with the Life Sciences industry and its compliance requirements (preferred).
• Experience with automated document workflows and AI-based content generation (preferred).
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams (preferred).

Education And Experience

• 10+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a focus on AI, machine learning, or technical platform management.
• Proven track record of leading the design and implementation of AI-driven systems, including AI-assisted coding tools and LLM-based platforms.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP) and distributed computing systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in building and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems in complex, data-intensive environments.
• Experience working in regulated industries, such as Life Sciences, is a strong plus.

Why Join Us?

At Vertex, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies that make a real difference in people's lives. We offer a collaborative and innovative work environment, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth.

If you are passionate about leveraging AI to revolutionize software development and thrive in solving complex engineering challenges, we encourage you to apply and join our mission to transform lives through innovation.

Apply Now:

Be a part of something bigger. Join Vertex and help us shape the future of AI-driven solutions in the Life Sciences industry.

Pay Range

$216,400 - $324,600

Disclosure Statement

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Remote-Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Remote-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

• Remote: work remotely five days per week and come into the office on occasion – you're always welcome on-site; or select
• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
• On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com