Director, System Architecture & Innovation

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

How will you make an impact:

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Genetic Sciences Division is evolving from instrument-focused development toward integrated, workflow-driven solutions powered by automation, data and artificial intelligence.

We are seeking a Director of System Architecture & Innovation to define and drive enterprise system architecture while leading next-generation engineering innovation across genetic-science platforms.

This role sits at the intersection of:

• Multidisciplinary system architecture
• Molecular biology workflows and customer science
• Laboratory automation and connected systems
• AI-enabled instruments and intelligent workflows
• Advanced technology incubation and product translation

The successful candidate will combine deep engineering credibility with an understanding of molecular biology, customer workflows and scientific applications. This leader will ensure that innovation translates into differentiated, scalable and commercially relevant system solutions.

What will you do:

Shape and Govern System Architecture

• Define and evolve system architecture across GSD platforms, spanning instruments, consumables, assays, firmware, software and data.
• Establish reference architectures, interface standards and reuse strategies that improve modularity, scalability and lifecycle resilience.
• Lead system-level trade-offs involving scientific performance, customer experience, cost, complexity, reliability and product risk.
• Establish effective architecture governance through design reviews, architecture decision records and visibility of technical debt.
• Drive architectural convergence across platforms while preserving meaningful product differentiation.
• Ensure architecture decisions reflect the complete customer workflow—not only the instrument.

Drive Integrated Workflows, Automation and AI

• Architect end-to-end solutions that integrate instruments, consumables, assays, liquid handlers, robotics, workflow software and data systems.
• Define and advance Lab-of-the-Future capabilities, including automated sample-to-answer workflows and connected laboratory ecosystems.
• Develop Lab-in-the-Loop concepts that use experimental data, automation and real-time feedback to adapt, optimize and accelerate scientific workflows.
• Identify high-value applications of AI in instruments, workflow orchestration, experimental design, data interpretation, predictive diagnostics and engineering development.
• Ensure AI-enabled capabilities are scalable and developed with appropriate data quality, cybersecurity, traceability, validation and human oversight.
• Promote interoperability across instruments, automation platforms and software environments.

Lead Innovation Across Science and Technology

• Identify emerging technologies and scientific trends that can create differentiated customer value.
• Drive innovation across areas such as:

• Genomics and multiomics workflows
• Molecular biology and sample preparation
• Microfluidics and consumable architectures
• Optical detection and precision instrumentation
• Laboratory automation and robotics
• AI, analytics and connected systems

• Translate customer, KOL and scientific insights into technology priorities and system concepts.
• Establish disciplined pathways from exploration and feasibility through system validation and product integration.
• Evaluate innovation investments based on customer value, scientific performance, technical feasibility, scalability and business potential.
• Build partnerships with customers, academic researchers, startups, technology providers and internal R&D teams.

Build Architecture and Innovation Capability

• Lead and develop a high-impact organization spanning system architecture, embedded systems, advanced technology and automation.
• Recruit and develop architects, engineering leaders, innovators and emerging technical talent.
• Strengthen organizational capability in systems thinking, cross-platform integration and AI-enabled system design.
• Create a culture of hands-on experimentation, curiosity, constructive challenge and disciplined execution.
• Build succession depth for critical technical and leadership roles.
• Establish clear decision rights and accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Lead Across the Enterprise

• Partner with R&D, business, product management, quality and regulatory leaders to align technology and platform strategies.

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