Director, Research Software Engineering

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We are seeking a director-level leader who can operate at the intersection of pharmaceutical business strategy and hands-on software delivery. This technical role is responsible for directly interfacing with business and scientific leadership to translate complex business, scientific, and operational needs into functional, full-stack prototypes—often within days, not months.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable whiteboarding with senior leaders, coding a production-quality prototype independently, and iterating in real time based on feedback.

• Executive Engagement
  :
  Serve as the primary technical and product interface for pharmaceutical leaders.
• Executive Engagement
  :
  Rapidly understand high-level strategic or R&D challenges and translate them into concrete product concepts.
• Executive Engagement
  :
  Facilitate executive working sessions, demos, and reviews with credibility and clarity.
• Executive Engagement
  :
  Partner with DDT colleagues to translate concepts and prototypes into products, enabling the creation of an integrated insights ecosystem.
• Rapid Full-Stack Prototyping
  :
  Design, build, and deliver functional end-to-end prototypes in days, not weeks.
• Rapid Full-Stack Prototyping
  :
  Personally write production-quality code across the stack (frontend, backend, APIs, data), ensuring translatability and path to production with DDT partners.
• Rapid Full-Stack Prototyping
  :
  Make pragmatic architecture and technology recommendations optimized for speed, clarity, and learning.
• Technical Leadership
  :
  Set standards for rapid experimentation, code quality, and prototype reusability.
• Technical Leadership
  :
  Mentor engineers and product teams on rapid delivery techniques and executive-level communication.
• Technical Leadership
  :
  Evaluate when prototypes should evolve into scaled products versus remain exploratory.
• Product & Innovation Execution
  :
  Partner with product, design, data science, and engineering teams to move from concept to validated solution.
• Product & Innovation Execution
  :
  Incorporate user feedback, regulatory constraints, and pharma-specific requirements into designs.
• Product & Innovation Execution
  :
  Drive a culture of experimentation, accountability, and measurable impact.

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, product engineering, or technical leadership roles.
• Proven ability to personally code and deliver full-stack applications (this role is not hands-off).
• Strong experience with modern full-stack technologies (e.g., React, Type Script, Python/Node/Java, APIs, cloud platforms).
• Demonstrated success working directly with senior leaders and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to move from vague problem statements to working software extremely quickly.
• Excellent communication skills—able to explain complex technical concepts in clear, executive-friendly language.
• Experience operating in highly regulated or complex domains (pharma, healthcare, life sciences preferred).

• Direct experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or life sciences organizations.
• Familiarity with R&D workflows.
• Experience building prototypes that leverage data, AI/ML, or advanced analytics.
• Background in consulting, innovation labs, or high-growth environments where speed is critical.

Boston, MA

Worker Type
:
Employee

Worker Sub-Type
:
Regular

Time Type
:
Full time

Job Exempt
:
Yes

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.