Senior AI/ML Engineer

Crinetics is a pharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, developing much-needed therapies for people with endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. We were founded by a dedicated team of scientists with the simple belief that better therapies developed from rigorous innovation can lead to better lives. Our work continues to make a real difference in the lives of patients. We have a prolific discovery engine and a robust preclinical and clinical development pipeline. We are driven by science with a patient-centric and team-oriented culture. Crinetics is known for its inclusive workplace culture. We are also a dog-friendly workplace. This is an exciting time to join Crinetics as we shape our organization into the world’s premier fully-integrated endocrine company from discovery to patients. Join our team as we transform the lives of others.

Position Summary:

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior AI/ML Engineer to join our newly formed Enterprise Solutions & Innovation group. This is a unique opportunity to be a foundational member of a team that will drive the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning across the organization. The successful candidate will be a key contributor in shaping our AI/ML strategy, evaluating and implementing solutions, and demonstrating the value of data-driven decision-making. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

These may include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Development: Collaborate with the Executive Director of Enterprise Solutions & Innovation to define and execute the company's AI/ML roadmap. Identify and prioritize high-impact use cases across various business functions, including research, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercial operations.

• Solution Evaluation and Implementation: Lead the technical evaluation of both internal and external AI/ML solutions. Design, build, and deploy scalable and robust machine learning models on our Azure/Databricks platform. Assess and integrate vendor-provided AI/ML technologies, ensuring they meet our scientific and business requirements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders from R&D, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and other departments to understand their needs and translate them into data science questions and solutions. Serve as a subject matter expert on AI/ML, providing guidance and training to colleagues.

• Data and Infrastructure: Work closely with IT and data engineering teams to ensure the availability and quality of data required for AI/ML initiatives. Contribute to the development of our data infrastructure and best practices for data governance and management.

• Innovation and Research: Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science. Champion a culture of innovation by exploring novel approaches and technologies that can be applied to our business challenges.

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Education: Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Computational Biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 8-10 years with 3-5 years of hands-on experience in data science and machine learning, with a proven track record of developing and deploying AI/ML models in a corporate environment.
• Technical Skills:
  • Expert proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R.
  • Extensive experience with machine learning libraries and frameworks (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
  • Strong knowledge of SQL and experience working with relational and non-relational databases.
  • Hands-on experience with cloud computing platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure and Databricks.
  • Solid understanding of software engineering best practices, including version control (Git), testing, and CI/CD.
• Soft Skills:
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
  • A strategic mindset and the ability to think creatively and drive innovation.

Preferred:

• Experience in the biopharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Familiarity with drug discovery and development processes.
• Experience with life sciences data sources (e.g., genomic data, clinical trial data, real-world evidence).

• Knowledge of GxP regulations and experience working in a regulated environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Physical Activities: On a continuous basis, sit at desk for a long period of time; intermittently answer telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. Some walking and lifting up to 25 lbs. may be required. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.

Laboratory Activities (if applicable): Biology and chemical laboratory environment experience needed. Environmental health and safety requirements also apply.

Travel:

You may be required to travel for up to 5% of your time.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Crinetics is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophical beliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, genetic information, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Salary Range

In addition to your base pay, our total rewards program consists of a discretionary annual target bonus, stock options, ESPP, and 401k match. We also provide top-notch health insurance plans for employees (and their families) to include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance, 20 days of PTO, 10 paid holidays, and a winter company shutdown.