Head of Product Engineering – Pathogen Programme (Oxford, UK)
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A leading research institute is building a cutting-edge SaaS platform in genomic sequencing to transform pathogen diagnostics and global epidemic response. Their Pathogen Programme aims to revolutionise how infectious diseases are detected and treated by leveraging whole-genome sequencing (WGS), metagenomics, and pathogen-specific analytics. The mission: an "Always On" system capable of early epidemic detection, antimicrobial resistance profiling, and next-generation diagnostic products for worldwide deployment.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Product Engineering to drive the engineering strategy and execution for this mission-critical platform. This is a leadership role blending deep technical expertise with product-minded delivery in regulated environments (moving towards Software as a Medical Device – SaMD).
You will oversee the design, architecture, and delivery of a highly scalable, secure, and compliant cloud-native platform that empowers researchers, clinicians, and bioinformaticians. You’ll influence product direction, engineering culture, and regulatory readiness.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and execute engineering strategy aligned with product and organisational goals
* Lead architecture and technical delivery of a secure, cloud-native SaaS platform
* Partner with Product, UX, and scientific teams to translate genomic needs into scalable software features
* Oversee full engineering lifecycle – infra, DevOps, QA, observability, and application layer
* Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team, setting standards and best practices
* Maintain regulatory alignment and readiness for healthcare/genomics SaaS products
* Drive innovation by integrating emerging technologies into platform evolution
What You Bring
* Proven software engineering leadership, including strategy, hiring, delivery, and technical oversight
* Deep experience building and scaling SaaS platforms (cloud-native, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, observability)
* Expertise in modern stacks (Python, TypeScript/Node.js, React) and major clouds (AWS, GCP, Azure, Oracle)
* Knowledge of security and privacy frameworks: RBAC, encryption, secure API design, identity/auth protocols (OAuth2, OpenID)
* Track record delivering in regulated or healthcare-adjacent domains
Desirable:
* Experience with genomic data, bioinformatics tools, or medical device software
* Familiarity with SaMD regulatory frameworks (FDA, EU MDR)
* Exposure to health data standards (FHIR, HL7, OMOP) and privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA)
* Experience leading penetration tests, audits, and compliance planning
Terms & Location
* Oxford-based (must be eligible to work in the UK) with hybrid flexibility
* Willingness to travel as needed; some cross-time-zone work due to global remit
* Full-time permanent role