Application Engineer II

## Job Review: Application Engineer II with Onyx Research Data Tech at GSK This review offers an in-depth look at the Application Engineer II opportunity within GSK's Onyx Research Data Tech organization, designed to help potential candidates navigate this exciting role and its career implications.

The Onyx Research Data Tech organization represents a significant strategic investment by GSK R&D and Digital & Tech. Its core mission is to revolutionize how GSK leverages data, knowledge, and prediction to accelerate the discovery of new medicines. As a comprehensive full-stack operation, Onyx encompasses product and portfolio leadership, data engineering, infrastructure and DevOps, data/metadata/knowledge platforms, and cutting-edge AI/ML and analysis platforms. The overarching goal is to create a next-generation data experience that empowers GSK scientists, engineers, and decision-makers, thereby boosting productivity and minimizing time spent on routine "data mechanics." Furthermore, Onyx aims to provide industry-leading AI/ML and data analysis environments to expedite predictive capabilities and attract top-tier talent. This is achieved through aggressive data engineering at scale, unlocking the immense value of consolidated data assets, and implementing scientific technology products that harness these powerful data and capabilities.

As an Application Engineer II within Onyx, you will be a crucial individual contributor, playing a pivotal role in the end-to-end lifecycle of data-driven applications. This involves designing, building, deploying, and operating these applications to serve the scientific community. You'll transform loosely defined requirements into high-quality, production-grade features and user experiences. A key aspect of this role is the ability to confidently decompose engineering challenges, lead implementations from conception to completion, and foster seamless collaboration across product, data, and platform teams. Expect to champion engineering excellence by prioritizing robust testing, comprehensive documentation, effective observability, and secure-by-design principles. Additionally, you will actively contribute to onboarding and mentoring fellow engineers, elevating the team's collective delivery capabilities.

Advantages for Candidates:

• Impactful Innovation: This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the advancement of medicine discovery, a mission with profound global implications. You'll be at the forefront of transforming data into actionable insights that can change lives.
• Cutting-Edge Technology Stack: You will work with a modern, full-stack technology environment, including cloud platforms (with a preference for Google Cloud), diverse backend languages (Python, Scala, Java, Node.js), front-end technologies (React.js, Angular.js), and API development standards (REST, GraphQL, gRPC). This exposure is invaluable for skill development and career growth.
• End-to-End Ownership: The position emphasizes owning features from Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to production-grade experiences. This provides a deep sense of accomplishment and a comprehensive understanding of the software development lifecycle.
• Collaborative & Mentorship Environment: You will work within a dynamic, collaborative team environment where knowledge sharing and mentorship are actively encouraged. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and to share your own expertise.
• Career Development & Growth: GSK's commitment to employee development is evident in this role. You'll have the chance to refine your engineering skills, take on increasing responsibility, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. The emphasis on engineering excellence, automation, and observability fosters a strong foundation for career advancement.
• Agile & Patient-Centric Culture: GSK promotes an agile working culture and a patient-first mentality. This means the work you do is directly aligned with improving patient outcomes, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Problem-Solving and Proactivity: The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing gaps in observability, alerting, and monitoring. You'll need strong analytical skills to define, measure, and monitor key product and operational metrics to drive improvements.
• Full-Stack Proficiency: While this role is for an individual contributor, a solid understanding of both backend and frontend technologies, along with cloud deployment and DevOps practices, is essential.
• Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication with product teams, stakeholders, and fellow engineers is paramount. The ability to translate technical concepts into clear documentation and proposals is also crucial.
• On-Call Responsibilities: As with many operational roles, participation in on-call rotations is expected. Candidates should be comfortable with supporting applications in production and responding to incidents.
• Adaptability and Learning: The pharmaceutical and tech landscapes are constantly evolving. A willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing requirements will be key to success in this role and within GSK's innovation-driven environment.
• Strategic Alignment: Understanding and contributing to the broader strategic goals of Onyx and GSK's mission of getting ahead of disease is important for maximizing your impact and career trajectory within the organization.

The Application Engineer II role at Onyx Research Data Tech presents a compelling opportunity for skilled engineers looking to make a significant contribution in a cutting-edge scientific environment. By embracing the challenges and leveraging the advantages this position offers, candidates can significantly advance their careers while playing a vital role in the future of medicine discovery.