Head of Solutions Engineering

Job Title: Head of Solutions EngineeringLocation: Paris, FRAbout This RoleSanofi is building the pharmaceutical industry's first AI-powered operating system—and we need a Head of Solutions Engineering (a Technology Principle) to make it happen. You'll lead a specialized team of 5-7 solution engineers while partnering directly with our Agentic AI core team to accelerate cloud transformation, modernize API frameworks, and dramatically improve infrastructure reliability across our global pharmaceutical operations.
This isn't a traditional technology role. You'll build and lead a cross-functional team with full hiring authority while maintaining the technical depth to challenge specialists and drive architectural coherence. Your decisions will impact 130K+ users, 21,000 hosts, 4,000 databases, and 5,000 applications supporting life-saving medicine development worldwide.Reporting Structure: Direct report to Global Head of Digital Technology with dotted line to Enterprise ArchitectureWhat You'll LeadBuild Your Technical Dream Team* Recruit 5-7 specialized solution engineers across Cloud, API/Integration, Database, Network, and Observability
* Establish cross-domain collaboration frameworks that eliminate technical silos
* Drive professional development and career growth for high-performing technical talent
* Lead through influence and technical credibility in a matrix organizationEnable AI-Powered Pharmaceutical Innovation* Partner with Agentic AI core team to design infrastructure supporting intelligent automation
* Architect cloud-native solutions optimized for AI/ML workloads with pharmaceutical compliance
* Establish real-time data pipelines enabling AI-powered drug discovery and manufacturing
* Implement API frameworks supporting agent-to-agent communication and automated decision-makingAccelerate Critical Technology Transformations* Cloud Transformation: Lead hybrid cloud migration with AWS/Azure governance and FinOps
* API Modernization: Design an enterprise API strategy enabling seamless pharmaceutical data flows
* Database Evolution: Modernize data architecture supporting AI/ML analytics and regulatory compliance
* Observability & SRE: Implement monitoring platforms targeting 50% incident reduction, 70% MTTR improvement
* Network Security: Deploy a zero-trust architecture across global pharmaceutical operationsDrive Strategic Technology Governance* Co-develop enterprise standards with Enterprise Architecture, balancing innovation and compliance
* Guide technology evaluation and vendor strategies for pharmaceutical-scale implementations
* Establish architectural decision frameworks, ensuring consistency across global operations
* Integrate GxP, SOX, and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements into all technology practicesAbout youRequired Experience* 15+ years enterprise technology leadership including 5+ years leading technical teams with hiring authority
* Deep expertise across 3+ domains: Cloud Architecture, API/Integration, Database, Network, and Observability
* Large-scale transformation leadership in organizations with 10,000+ users
* Regulated industry experience with GxP, SOX, HIPAA, or equivalent compliance frameworks
* AI/ML infrastructure experience, including data pipelines and cloud-native ML platforms
* Multi-platform integration and strategic technology planning at enterprise scale
* Travel: 30% domestic and international travel required for global team collaboration and stakeholder engagement
* Language: Fluid in EnglishHighly Valued Experience* Agentic AI or intelligent automation platform implementation
* Multi-cloud expertise (AWS/Azure) with FinOps and governance
* Site Reliability Engineering with observability platform implementation
* Global technology operations across distributed teams and regulatory environmentsEssential Leadership Capabilities* Cross-Domain Technical Leadership: Guide specialists while maintaining architectural coherence
* AI-Technology Translation: Bridge AI/ML requirements with foundational technology capabilities
* Pharmaceutical Business Acumen: Understand how technology impacts drug development and patient outcomes
* Strategic Communication: Translate complex technical concepts for C-level executives
* Innovation-Compliance Balance: Drive cutting-edge adoption while maintaining regulatory adherenceEducation & CredentialsRequired* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Systems Analysis, or related field; OR
* *Equivalent: 20+ years of progressive enterprise technology leadership may substitute the degree*Preferred* Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Management, or MBA with a technology/healthcare focus
* Cloud certifications: AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert
* Enterprise Architecture: TOGAF, Zachman Framework
* Additional certifications: