Principal Data Engineer/Non-Line Manager/Experimental Medicine Japan D&A

Basic Purpose of the Job

Key contact partner in cultivating the "power of data" through:

  1. Data collection/curation, data review and data delivery
  2. Data standardization
  3. Process definition, testing and training

Responsibilities include:

  • Translating scientific requirements into technical specifications
  • Collecting, ingesting, structuring, curating and standardizing clinical trial data
  • Ensuring data quality and integrity through plausibility checks, anomaly detection and fraud detection methods
  • Supporting clinical research development through advanced expertise in data engineering activities

The role interprets scientific and clinical requirements and translates them into Therapeutic Area (TA) and Project-level technical specifications for new substances, indications and marketing claims. 


Key Accountabilities

1. Strategic Data Engineering Leadership

Responsible for:

  • Translating requirements into project and Therapeutic Area-level technical specifications
  • Providing project/TA-level clinical data to business stakeholders
  • Gathering business requirements
  • Developing global solutions for immediate and long-term business needs
  • Managing clinical data environments at project and TA levels
  • Resolving project and TA issues

Success Measures

  • Quality project/TA deliverables
  • Timeline adherence
  • Feedback from ExpMED colleagues, Product Owners and capability managers

2. Vendor, CRO & Outsourcing Oversight

Responsible for:

  • Leading and overseeing all Clinical Data Engineering work performed by external partners
  • Managing CRO capacity planning
  • Overseeing outsourced project and trial budgets
  • Ensuring external deliverables meet quality standards

Success Measures

  • Quality oversight deliverables
  • Timeline adherence
  • Stakeholder feedback

3. Data Quality, Integrity & Inspection Readiness

Responsibilities include:

  • Developing and testing new ways to improve data reliability, integrity and quality
  • Ensuring real-time inspection readiness
  • Supporting regulatory inspections and internal audits
  • Maintaining compliance across all data-related activities

Success Measures

  • Quality mindset
  • Process improvement contributions
  • Audit and inspection readiness
  • Feedback from Product Owners, Quality Management and capability leaders 

4. Strategic Collaboration & Influence

  • Collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams
  • Partner with stakeholders inside and outside ExpMED
  • Support project and product-level goals
  • Promote team-based and cross-functional thinking

Success Measures

  • Collaboration effectiveness
  • Stakeholder satisfaction
  • Influence across functions

5. Innovation & Future Data Solutions

  • Stay current on advances in data science
  • Evaluate new technologies and digital solutions
  • Explore innovative approaches to:
    • Data collection
    • Data curation
    • Data standardization
    • Digital technologies
    • Process optimization
  • Convert insights into new Clinical Data Engineering approaches that support:
    • Clinical development
    • Regulatory submissions
    • Product commercialization

Success Measures

  • Innovation quality
  • Regulatory acceptance
  • Team and chapter feedback 

6. Training & Capability Development

  • Deliver and support Clinical Data Engineering training
  • Promote best practices
  • Increase knowledge sharing across the CDE Community of Practice

Success Measures

  • Training effectiveness
  • Participant satisfaction
  • Increased organizational capability

7. Process Development & External Representation

  • Participate in or lead cross-functional BI process improvement initiatives
  • Drive strategic CDE-related improvements
  • Participate in external working groups and industry forums

Success Measures

  • Leadership effectiveness
  • Business impact of process improvements
  • Feedback from Global Product Owners and Product Owners 

Regulatory & Organizational Requirements

Must understand and implement:

Regulatory Requirements

  • International Good Clinical Practice standards
  • International Good Statistical Practice standards
  • ICH guidelines including:
    • ICH E3
    • ICH E5
    • ICH E6
    • ICH E8
    • ICH E9
    • ICH E10
    • ICH E17

Organizational Requirements

  • Clinical development guidelines
  • Data standardization guidance
  • BI processes and SOPs
  • Clinical Development Plan-related requirements

All work must be conducted:

  • With the highest ethical standards
  • In compliance with BI values
  • In accordance with quality requirements 

Job Complexity

  • Solves complex and defined problems
  • Has strategic impact within the Clinical Data Engineering function
  • Balances requirements across multiple departments and business units
  • Influences broader organizational decision-making

Interfaces

Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders including:

  • Medicine
  • Therapeutic Areas
  • TMCP
  • GRA
  • ExpMED functions

Represents BI on:

  • Critical regulatory issues
  • Data collection strategies
  • Data review and delivery
  • Data standardization
  • Process definition
  • Testing and training

at the project and asset levels. 


Job Expertise

Required:

Clinical Development Expertise

  • Broad knowledge of clinical trial development
  • Advanced understanding of global clinical development processes
  • Demonstrated ability to:
    • Build data solutions
    • Test systems
    • Curate data
    • Oversee data operations
    • Interpret clinical trial data

Innovation & Problem Solving

  • Strong curiosity and creativity in solving:
    • Data collection challenges
    • Data curation challenges
    • Standardization issues
    • Process and training challenges

Experience

  • Many (≥ 6 years) of professional experience
  • Pharmaceutical industry, CRO or academic research experience
  • Leadership experience required 

Job Impact

Responsible for:

  • Data collection and curation
  • Data review and delivery
  • Data standardization
  • Process definition
  • Testing and training

for global clinical trials across products in development and post-approval phases.

Additionally responsible for:

  • Leading internal and external CDE resources
  • Managing CRO activities
  • Overseeing outsourced project and trial budgets
  • Delivering strategic outcomes across clinical development programs 

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree

Preferred fields:

  • Life Sciences
  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Related disciplines 

Required Capabilities

Technical Expertise

  • Deep expertise with:
    • Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems
    • Data Collection Tools
    • Data Review Tools
    • Data Standardization methodologies

Clinical Knowledge

  • Strong clinical trial design knowledge
  • Understanding of medical terminology
  • Extensive experience working with clinical trial information

Leadership & Management

  • Leadership experience
  • Vendor management expertise
  • Training and coaching capability
  • Meeting facilitation skills

Communication

  • Strong communication skills
  • Persuasive and influential communication style
  • Ability to explain complex concepts clearly

Business & Project Skills

  • Organizational skills
  • Problem-solving ability
  • Negotiation skills
  • Time management
  • Initiative and ownership

Collaboration

  • Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
  • Build strong vendor relationships
  • Collaborate globally across cultures

Training

  • Ability to develop and deliver technical training programs

Language

English: Fluent (Read / Write / Speak) 


Quick Candidate Snapshot

Ideal profile:

  • 6+ years in Clinical Data Management / Clinical Data Engineering
  • Significant experience with EDC systems and clinical trial data ecosystems
  • Strong understanding of GCP, ICH guidelines and clinical development
  • Experience managing vendors and CROs
  • Proven leadership capability
  • Experience driving strategic process improvements
  • Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering or related field
  • Fluent English communication skills