Director, Lab Systems Engineering

Job Description General / Position Summary   The Director, Business Engagement & Technology, Lab Solutions will lead a team responsible for the architecture, delivery, security, support, and continuous evolution of enterprise laboratory technology platform s – including laboratory Operational Technology (OT) such as   information/cyber security , sensors, and IoT enabled lab environments   -   across all Vertex   labs and manufacturing shop fl o ors . This role serves as a senior technology and business partner, ensuring reliable, compliant, and scalable lab operations while advancing the future of the physical and digital laboratory.   Operating within highly regulated   GxP   and SOX environments, the Director is accountable for operational excellence, financial stewardship, and risk management across a complex laboratory technology landscape, including ownership of   an   approximately $10M annual operating budget. In parallel, the role provides strategic leadership in identifying, piloting, and scaling innovative technologies—such as intelligent and agentic workflows, passive data capture from laboratory endpoints,   IoT ‑ enabled   environments, and wearable or   sensor ‑ based   solutions—to accelerate scientific outcomes and enable   next ‑ generation   lab capabilities.   Key Duties & Responsibilities   Build and sustain strong,   trust ‑ based   relationships with senior business, quality, and DTE leaders, acting as a strategic partner with sustained impact on enterprise laboratory goals.   Lead, develop, and   retain   a highly effective Lab Engineering Support team, leveraging internal resources and external partners through a managed service provider model.   Ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operation s across both IT and   OT environments by implementing   industry ‑ standard   best practices aligned with cyber security, ITSM, ITIL, and DTE system lifecycle standards.   Serve as the primary point of accountability for laboratory technology   (including laboratory IT and OT systems)   operating   within   GxP ‑   and   SOX ‑ regulated   environments, partnering closely with DTE Compliance, Cyber Security, Internal Audit, and Quality Assurance.   Own and manage   an   approximately $10M operating budget, ensuring disciplined financial planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization across services and platforms.   Partner with business stakeholders across the enterprise to manage and prioritize service demand, balancing operational stability, risk, and strategic investment.   Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements, ensuring   high ‑ quality   delivery, adherence to timelines, and alignment with business outcomes.   Establish, track, and communicate operational performance metrics,   financial impact , and value drivers associated with laboratory technology investments.   Continuously enhance internal processes related to security, demand management, resource planning, project delivery, platform releases, and ongoing operational support.   Lead   technology ‑ driven   initiatives that modernize the laboratory environment by evaluating and advancing emerging capabilities such as intelligent automation, agentic workflows, passive data capture,   IoT ‑ enabled   instruments, and connected lab environments.   Translate innovation opportunities into pragmatic, compliant roadmaps that improve scientific productivity, operational efficiency, and   long ‑ term   scalability.   Document and present complex technical issues, architectural options, and recommendations clearly to technical and   non ‑ technical   audiences.   Manage strategic relationships with technology vendors and service providers to ensure performance, security, compliance, and   long ‑ term   value.   Attract, develop, and   retain   top talent; serve as a people manager with full accountability for performance management, talent development, and financial stewardship of assigned staff.   Required Education Level   Bachelor’s degree   required   (B.S. or equivalent).   Advanced degree preferred.   Required Experience   Requires 10+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.   Demonstrated leadership experience managing   enterprise ‑ scale   technology platforms and support organizations.   Proven experience   operating   within   GxP ‑   and   SOX ‑ regulated   environments.   Experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and vendor ecosystems with financial accountability.   Required Knowledge / Skills   Strong   senior ‑ level   business engagement and stakeholder partnership capabilities.   Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, IT service management, and system lifecycle practices.   Proven people leadership experience with   a track record   of building and sustaining   high ‑ performing   teams.   Program, portfolio, demand, and   financial management   expertise .   Excellent analytical,   problem ‑ solving , communication, and   executive ‑ level   presentation skills.   Ability to balance operational stability with innovation in regulated environments.   Experience working across global,   multi ‑ site   laboratory organizations.   Experience   leveraging   managed services and external partners at scale.   *LI-EE1 Pay Range: $198,000 - $297,000 Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Vertex, our Tota