Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) Data42

Novartis seeks a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer for its Data42 team in Basel. This hybrid role focuses on building and operationalizing data and AI applications on Palantir Foundry, bridging technical delivery with domain-specific user needs.

The Forward Deployed Engineer acts as an embedded technical delivery leader within the Data42 unit. This position partners directly with domain teams to transform complex challenges into functional data and AI solutions. The role requires blending software engineering, data engineering, and product-focused problem solving to ensure user workflow adoption and operational durability.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with domain teams to map out workflows, establish success metrics, and convert requirements into delivered features.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of solution development on Palantir Foundry, from initial discovery and prototyping through to production deployment.
• Architect and deploy end-to-end solutions, including data pipelines, ontology alignment, and application workflows, while optimizing for performance and auditability.
• Ingest and model diverse datasets to ensure they are reliable and ready for analytics, implementing quality checks and documenting limitations.
• Develop user-facing applications and integrate them with existing systems, supporting ongoing monitoring and iterative improvements.
• Coordinate with product managers, data scientists, and platform teams to align on scope and standards, resolving blockers through technical and stakeholder influence.
• Create reusable templates and components to speed up future projects, while mentoring colleagues and contributing to internal documentation and delivery standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in biomedical research, bioengineering, bioinformatics, or a related sector.
• Proven hands-on expertise with Palantir Foundry, including building pipelines, managing ontologies, and deploying applications with a Foundry-first mindset.
• Strong ability to partner with stakeholders to identify challenges, develop Proof of Concepts, and demonstrate business value.
• Experience delivering software, data, or analytics products in fast-paced, user-facing environments, with a focus on rapid prototyping and production execution.
• Proficient programming skills with comfort across both data and application layers.
• High user empathy and workflow orientation, with a track record of working directly with end users to clarify requirements and deliver iteratively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, combined with strong reliability and operational discipline.

Nice to have

• Experience delivering solutions in regulated or sensitive-data environments, with a focus on access control and audit requirements.
• Familiarity with product discovery methods, including problem framing, value definition, and iterative MVP delivery.
• Experience with analytics, AI, or machine learning enablement within production applications.

What the company offers

• Eligibility for a performance-based bonus in addition to the base salary, subject to specific performance parameters.
• A range of competitive benefits in kind, including insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, and global recognition programs.
• Flexible and hybrid working options where possible, along with a minimum of 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

About the company

Novartis is driven by the purpose to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives, with a vision to become the most valued and trusted medicines company globally. The company is dedicated to fostering an outstanding, inclusive work environment and building diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities it serves.

• Commitment to reimaging medicine to improve and extend people’s lives.
• Vision to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world.
• Dedication to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment.
• Focus on creating diverse teams representative of patients and communities.