Job Title

Head of Product Engineering – Pathogen Programme (Oxford, UK)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 RoleWe 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 ResponsibilitiesDefine and execute engineering strategy aligned with product and organisational goalsLead architecture and technical delivery of a secure, cloud-native SaaS platformPartner with Product, UX, and scientific teams to translate genomic needs into scalable software featuresOversee full engineering lifecycle – infra, DevOps, QA, observability, and application layerBuild and mentor a high-performing engineering team, setting standards and best practicesMaintain regulatory alignment and readiness for healthcare/genomics SaaS productsDrive innovation by integrating emerging technologies into platform evolutionWhat You BringProven software engineering leadership, including strategy, hiring, delivery, and technical oversightDeep 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 domainsDesirable:Experience with genomic data, bioinformatics tools, or medical device softwareFamiliarity 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 planningTerms & LocationOxford-based (must be eligible to work in the UK) with hybrid flexibilityWillingness to travel as needed; some cross-time-zone work due to global remitFull-time permanent role