At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI engineering projects and set enterprise-level standards for innovative solutions.
- Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader committed to improving health worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health benefits, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on innovation and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by shaping the future of AI technology.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in software and AI/ML engineering with leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centered on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems. Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines. Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.
GSK's Enterprise AI team builds AI solutions that prove value fast and scale to production. Forward Deployed Engineering is the front of the Enterprise AI delivery pipeline — proving AI ideas with the business through PoCs, PoVs, MVPs, and, where appropriate, first production versions, before handing proven solutions to Solutions Engineering for scale-up. You will act as the most senior technical authority in the FDE function, operating at enterprise scope with two equal mandates: setting the standards for AI-native, enterprise-level development across GSK and owning FDE delivery outcomes for a defined portfolio of strategic business units.
This is a senior technical leadership role for someone who leads through technical credibility: staying hands-on at the frontier of AI-augmented engineering, leading Staff and Senior FDEs on the most consequential engagements and shaping how AI engineering is done well beyond the FDE team. As Enterprise AI scales, the value of each engagement increasingly depends on what it leaves behind: you will set standards from real delivery experience, prove them inside the business units that matter most, and serve as the escalation point for the hardest architecture, ML, and agentic-engineering decisions.
Responsibilities
- Define and own enterprise-level development standards for AI solutions across GSK.
- Set the enterprise technical direction for AI-native engineering.
- Own the enterprise pattern library and reference platform.
- Chair FDE technical design review and contribute to Enterprise AI architecture governance.
- Own FDE delivery for a defined portfolio of strategic business units.
- Lead the most complex, precedent-setting engagements personally.
- Lead multi-FDE engagement teams.
- Partner with Director and VP-level business unit leaders.
- Act as the technical authority and escalation point for the FDE function.
- Mentor and grow Staff and Senior FDEs.
- Calibrate the technical hiring bar.
- Partner with Enterprise Architecture, Data Platforms, Cyber Security, and Tech functions.
- Influence vendor strategy and tooling choices.
- Represent GSK's AI engineering practice externally.
- Build governance in by design.
- Report to Enterprise AI leadership on standards adoption and technical risk.
Basic Qualification
- 15 or more years of experience in software engineering and AI/ML engineering.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Demonstrated track record of setting engineering standards.
- Proven track record of taking AI ideas from sketch to working software.
- Understanding of hands-on expertise in GenAI patterns.
- Enterprise-level expertise in AI, ML, and data science.
- Demonstrated daily use of AI coding agents.
- Experience influencing and partnering with Director and VP-level leaders.
- Prior responsibility for mentoring Staff-and Senior-level engineers.
Preferred Qualification
- Principal, Distinguished, or Head of Forward Deployed Engineering-level experience at an AI-native company.
- Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related quantitative field.
Skills
- AI Frameworks, Algorithm Optimization, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNS).
- Computer Programming, Deep Learning, Feature Engineering.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for Machine Learning.
- Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning Operations.
- Microsoft Azure Data and AI, ML Frameworks.
- Model Evaluation, Model Training, Model Validation.
- Performance Optimizations, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff. GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Principal - Forward Deployed Engineer employer: GSK
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Stevenage. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to extensive development opportunities while working on groundbreaking medicine projects. The hybrid work model and future relocation to Cambridge provide a unique advantage, ensuring a vibrant environment for both personal and professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal - Forward Deployed Engineer
✨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 GSK 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 GSK.
✨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 GSK.
✨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 GSK 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 Principal - Forward Deployed Engineer
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 GSK.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at GSK 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 GSK
✨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 GSK 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.
