Specialist Software Engineer – Backend, AI & Data Innovation Lab

ABOUT AMGEN

Amgen harnesses the best of biology and technology to fight the world’s toughest diseases, and make people’s lives easier, fuller and longer. We discover, develop, manufacture and deliver innovative medicines to help millions of patients. Amgen helped establish the biotechnology industry more than 40 years ago and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human data to push beyond what’s known today. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. At Amgen, we believe that innovation can and should be happening across the entire company. Part of the Artificial Intelligence & Data function of the Amgen Technology and Medical Organizations (ATMOS), the AI & Data Innovation Lab (the Lab) is a center for exploration and innovation, focused on integrating and accelerating new technologies and methods that deliver measurable value and competitive advantage. We’ve built algorithms that predict bone fractures in patients who haven’t even been diagnosed with osteoporosis yet. We’ve built software to help us select clinical trial sites so we can get medicines to patients faster. We’ve built AI capabilities to standardize and accelerate the authoring of regulatory documents so we can shorten the drug approval cycle. And that’s just a part of the beginning. Join us!

We are seeking a Specialist Backend Software Engineer to join the Lab’s software engineering practice. This role is integral to developing top-tier talent, setting engineering best practices, and evangelizing full-stack development capabilities across the organization. The Specialist Backend Software Engineer will play a key role in turning AI concepts into products, working closely with product managers and AI and software engineers and architects. This is a hands-on, cross-functional role that blends modern software development with AI integration in a rapid innovation and prototyping operating model.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain microservices using Python to ensure the software is modular, scalable, and maintainable.
• Create and manage RESTful APIs to facilitate seamless communication between different software components and external systems.
• Apply and advocate for best practices in software development, including code reviews, unit testing, continuous integration, and continuous deployment.
• Implement and manage deployments using Docker to ensure consistent and efficient application delivery across different environments.
• Design, implement, and maintain database schemas, ensuring efficient data storage, retrieval, and manipulation.
• Work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet business requirements.
• Identify and resolve software issues and bugs promptly to ensure smooth operation and minimal downtime.

• Stay updated on new technologies, industry trends, and best practices in software development, especially in areas like UI and AI, and be open to learning relevant skills.

• Promotes code quality through reviews, static analysis tools, and adherence to team standards and best practices.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

Functional Skills:

• Extensive hands-on experience with Python, with the ability to design and implement complex backend systems, integrate with data sources, and follow modern development practices.
• Deep understanding of software engineering best practices and overall software product development lifecycle, including version control, CI/CD, TDD, and agile methodologies.
• Strong grasp of OOP, design patterns, and clean code principles with a focus on maintainability and testability.
• Proficiency with Python-based backend frameworks, preferably FastAPI or Flask.
• Experience with databases (Postgres/DynamoDB)
• Experience managing and deploying infrastructure in at least one cloud provider such as AWS (preferred), Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience with microservices architecture and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).

Good-to-Have Skills:

• Familiarity with JavaScript and modern web technologies, including React, Angular, and Node.js
• Familiarity with enterprise software systems in life sciences or healthcare domains.
• Familiarity with big data platforms and experience in data pipeline development (Databricks, Spark).
• Knowledge of data security, privacy regulations, and scalable software solutions.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• High degree of initiative and self-motivation.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, AI, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in backend development in software engineering, with a strong focus on software development using Python.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

• Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. 
• We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.