Overview
We are seeking a collaborative and skilled Head of Platform Engineering to lead a team of 11 engineers across platform, backend, DevSecOps, and full stack. You will oversee the engineering and operations of our cloud-native data platform, which will host the Pathogen Reference Database. This includes delivering data management capabilities for ingesting genomic data, tools for curation, data catalogues, APIs, CI/CD pipelines, and bioinformatics tooling. The role blends 20-40% hands-on engineering with leadership, focusing on security, reliability, observability, and quality. You\'ll work cross-functionally to support the GPAS reference database and scientific computing tools, and help shape technology strategy alongside the Director of Data Platforms and other key stakeholders. Your team will deliver innovative solutions at pace within cross-functional squads.
Led by a world-class faculty, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT\'s transformative approach using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for labs, hospitals, and public health.
While currently for research use only, you will help ensure GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance and prepare for future SaMD certification.
Responsibilities
* Lead the engineering team. Oversee initiatives supporting the delivery of the data platform
* Manage the engineering aspects of the build of platform capabilities, ensuring we operate in effective and collaborative cross-functional teams
* Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team; drive agile execution, roadmap planning, and cross-team alignment with product, data platform, and scientific colleagues
* Ensure the full development lifecycle of all assets of the data platform are developed, tested and deployed using automated best practices. This will include OCI infrastructure, data ingest pipelines, tool deployments, access controls, and tooling required to secure and monitor the platform
* Support the delivery of platform tools to enable our bioinformaticians and science teams to discover, understand and access data (Pathogen data catalogue, Quality dashboards, Management information reporting)
* Support innovation efforts to explore the application of new technologies such as vector databases to support search and AI use cases. Identify and keep up to date on new technologies whilst encouraging experimentation by the team
* Lead the engineering efforts to deliver highly performant, scalable and secure backend APIs using appropriate technologies to support the full stack platform tools (Python, NodeJS)
* Coordinate the delivery of data storage solutions, including data lakes, data warehouses, and databases which underpin the platform tooling (e.g. object storage, Oracle autonomous database, PostgreSQL)
* Ensure the data platform meets appropriate security standards and oversee the generation of appropriate documentation
* Establish and evolve secure software development practices (CI/CD, IaC, testing strategy, SRE/observability, incident response) aligned with GDPR and ISO 27001
* Contribute hands-on to code, reviews, design, and debugging; remove blockers and make pragmatic build/buy/borrow decisions
* Oversee work of external partners and contractors to ensure delivery of work packages on time and on budget
* Ensure that the platform is supported to an agreed service level encompassing availability and response times to standard support requests
Requirements
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Proven track record of building and supporting data platforms in the context of genomics or life sciences more generally.
* Deep expertise in software or product engineering, with prior experience in a leadership role
* Proven track record building and operating cloud-native data platforms for operational analytics and biological research.
* Expertise in software development best practices and standards including agile, test-driven development, DevSecOps
* Experience leading software engineers with delivery accountability and evidence of building healthy engineering culture and practices
* Security, privacy, and compliance awareness applied to product design, access control, secrets, auditability, and data governance
* In-depth knowledge of containerisation technologies (e.g., Docker) and orchestration tools like Kubernetes
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Depth in testing/QA at multiple layers (unit/integration/e2e), SDET practices, and performance/reliability engineering in data-intensive systems
* Exposure to SaMD or regulated software frameworks (e.g. ISO 13485 quality management, ISO 14971 risk management, ISO 15189, IEC 62304 lifecycle)
Key Attributes
* Mission-driven, empathetic leader who collaborates effectively with product managers, scientists, and engineers
* Systems thinker with strong judgment: balances speed and rigor, and chooses simple, maintainable solutions
* Excellent communicator; brings clarity to ambiguity, aligns stakeholders, and documents decisions crisply
* High bar for security, quality, and reliability; proactive about risk management and compliance
* Growth mindset, coaches others, fosters inclusivity, and builds a psychologically safe, high-trust team
Benefits
* Enhanced holiday pay
* Pension
* Life Assurance
* Income Protection
* Private Medical Insurance
* Hospital Cash Plan
* Therapy Services
* Perk Box
* Electrical Car Scheme
Terms of Appointment
* You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary
* You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford
* During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme
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