At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of a next-gen data platform for life sciences.
- Company: Join IDBS, a forward-thinking tech company transforming scientific data management.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, including health care and paid time off.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life sciences with cutting-edge technology and AI.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in SaaS engineering and expertise in data architecture and AI.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
IDBS is seeking a strategic and hands-on engineering leader to drive the delivery of a next-generation agentic workflow and data platform that transforms how life sciences organisations capture, connect, govern and act on scientific and product data. This role will lead the evolution of IDBS’ technology platform, combining deep expertise in enterprise SaaS, data architecture, governed AI, cloud engineering and product delivery. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a scalable platform that enables intelligent workflows, high-quality governed data, AI-powered insights and enterprise-grade compliance. A critical aspect of this role will be restructuring the Engineering organisation to balance the efficient sustainment of heritage products while accelerating investment and innovation in future platform capabilities. Working closely with Product, Strategy and Operations, the individual will establish an operating model that increases delivery velocity, improves predictability and accelerates customer value. This is a senior leadership role requiring both strategic vision and operational excellence. The successful candidate must be willing to roll up their sleeves, demonstrate what good looks like, champion the adoption of AI across the software development lifecycle, and build a culture of high performance, urgency, accountability and value creation.
Core Responsibilities
- Strategy & Platform Leadership
- Define and execute the technology vision for IDBS’ next-generation agentic workflow and data platform.
- Establish the long-term architecture for data, workflows, AI and cloud services that supports future growth.
- Partner with Product and Strategy to translate customer and market needs into a clear technology roadmap.
- Balance short-term customer commitments with long-term platform transformation.
- Data Architecture & Governed AI
- Lead the design and implementation of modern data architecture, governance and interoperability frameworks.
- Drive adoption of governed AI, ensuring solutions are secure, compliant, auditable and trusted.
- Establish foundations for scalable AI-enabled products, intelligent automation and agentic workflows.
- Act as a thought leader in leveraging AI to accelerate product innovation and engineering productivity.
- Engineering Transformation & Delivery
- Restructure Engineering to effectively manage heritage product sustainment while accelerating investment in strategic innovation.
- Create clear ownership models across platform engineering, innovation, customer commitments and operational excellence.
- Leverage Agile methodologies, Lean principles and Program Increment Planning to improve execution, alignment and speed to market.
- Drive measurable improvements in engineering productivity, delivery predictability and customer value realisation.
- AI-Enabled Engineering Excellence
- Champion the use of AI across design, architecture, development, testing, validation, documentation and support.
- Establish engineering best practices that leverage AI to improve quality, velocity and efficiency.
- Demonstrate hands-on leadership and expertise in modern software engineering, data platforms and AI-enabled delivery.
- Leadership & Culture
- Build, develop and retain a high-performing engineering organisation aligned to Danaher Core Values and Behaviours.
- Foster a culture of accountability, urgency, innovation, continuous improvement and customer focus.
- Lead through influence, collaboration and visible engagement across Engineering, Product, Customer Success and Operations.
- Develop future leaders and create a scalable engineering organisation capable of supporting long-term growth.
- Quality, Security & Compliance
- Ensure solutions meet the highest standards of quality, security, privacy and regulatory compliance.
- Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and applicable regulated industry requirements.
- Embed quality, reliability and security into all aspects of engineering delivery.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience leading global SaaS engineering organisations through significant transformation.
- Deep expertise in modern data architecture, cloud platforms, AI-enabled products and governed AI frameworks.
- Experience restructuring engineering organisations to balance legacy product sustainment with innovation and growth.
- Strong track record implementing Agile, Lean and Program Increment Planning methodologies to accelerate value delivery.
- Practical experience applying AI across software design, development, testing and operations.
- Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate at executive level while remaining technically credible and hands-on when needed.
IDBS, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info. Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life. For more information, visit www.danaher.com.
VP, Engineering (CTO) in Woking employer: Danaher
Cytiva is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of belonging and innovation, where your unique perspective is valued. With a commitment to employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects in life sciences while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a supportive work environment. Located across multiple strategic sites, including Puerto Rico and the UK, Cytiva offers a dynamic workplace that prioritises safety, quality, and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful difference in human health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Engineering (CTO) in Woking
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Danaher or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Danaher.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Danaher.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Danaher that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Engineering (CTO) in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Danaher.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Danaher and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Danaher
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Danaher uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
