We are seeking a seasoned MLOps Engineer with deep expertise in developing and deploying scalable, cloud-native ML/AI applications to support small molecule drug discovery and design. This role is critical in enabling our scientists to seamlessly integrate ML/AI models into research workflows across biology, chemistry, and pharmacology.
You will be instrumental in building robust ML infrastructure and data pipelines, collaborating closely with computational chemists, medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to operationalize ML/AI models that accelerate compound screening, design optimization, predictive modeling, and experimental interpretation. Your contributions will ensure the rapid, secure, and reliable integration of ML/AI into the scientific workflow — from hypothesis generation to lead optimization.
Role responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain scalable MLOps pipelines that enable rapid development, deployment, and monitoring of ML/AI models used in small molecule drug discovery.
- Implement and optimize workflows for model training, validation, versioning, deployment, and lifecycle management tailored to the needs of computational drug design and experimental data integration.
- Collaborate closely with Data Scientists, Data Engineers, and Research Scientists (e.g., medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, computational chemists) to understand domain-specific research needs and translate them into technical solutions.
- Leverage cloud-based platforms (primarily Microsoft Azure, Databricks, Domino Data Lab) to design end-to-end ML systems.
- Build and manage data pipelines and orchestration using tools like Apache Spark, Delta Lake, Apache Airflow, and MLflow, ensuring reproducibility, data lineage, and scalability.
- Ensure infrastructure adheres to enterprise standards around security, scalability, and compliance, especially within regulated environments.
- Enable secure and compliant deployment of AI models, particularly those that handle sensitive preclinical research data.
- Continuously evaluate and integrate the latest MLOps tools and technologies to drive efficiency, automation, and innovation.
- Monitor deployed models in production, ensure reliability, and support incident response and troubleshooting.
- Apply best practices in DevOps, CI/CD, and DataOps within ML/AI development.
- Evaluate and integrate the latest technological developments, including the enterprise use of large language models (LLMs) for tasks such as research summarization, automated documentation, and scientific reasoning — all within a secure, governed environment.
The location for the role is Espoo and we will support relocation to Finland. You can work flexibly in a hybrid model in accordance with Orion’s relevant guidelines. You will report to Director of Digital Medicine.
Why Join Us?
- Help transform the way we discover and design new small molecule drugs using machine learning and AI.
- Collaborate with top-tier scientists and technologists in a mission-driven environment.
- Influence and help build the future of ML/AI-driven pharmaceutical R&D.
- Work at the intersection of cutting-edge tech and breakthrough science.
- Enjoy opportunities for professional growth, innovation, and impact at scale
At Orion, your work creates true impact and well-being for our customers, patients and society at large. Our culture of friendliness, respect, mutual appreciation and diversity creates a safe working environment where you can strive for excellence. We offer a wealth of career paths and development opportunities that support the development of innovative solutions and improving the quality of life.
Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.
Our expectations
To succeed in this position, we expect you to have the following:
- Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in MLOps, Data Engineering, or applied ML in production environments, preferably within the life sciences.
- Demonstrated experience in supporting ML/AI applications in small molecule drug discovery, cheminformatics, or related areas in pharmaceutical R&D.
- Deep expertise in cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure (especially Azure ML), and hands-on experience with Databricks and/or Domino Data Lab.
- Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in ML frameworks like MLflow, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
- Proficient in containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and workflow orchestration tools like Apache Airflow, Databricks Workflows, and Azure Data Factory.
- Strong understanding of CI/CD, model monitoring, model drift, data versioning, and reproducibility in ML systems.
- Awareness of how large language models (LLMs) can be leveraged effectively in enterprise R&D settings, considering secure implementation, fine-tuning, inference workflows, and prompt engineering.
- Familiarity with data governance, access control, and compliance standards in the pharma/biotech domain is a strong plus.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working in pharmaceutical or life sciences R&D environments, especially in small molecule drug discovery or computational chemistry.
- Ability to communicate effectively with scientific stakeholders and translate complex technical ideas into actionable solutions.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, cross-functional teams and adapting ML infrastructure to solutions for evolving real-world scientific problems.
- Understanding of FAIR data principles and their application to ML/AI workflows in research environments.
How to apply and additional information
If you think that you are the person we are looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV by 22nd May 2025.
For more information on the MLOps Engineer, please contact Sammeli Liikkanen, Director, Digital Medicine, tel. +358 509667466 (daytime in European time zones).
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Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment.
Description of unit
Orion’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organisation. The organisation employs top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. There are around 400 professionals working in R&D globally; Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Nottingham in England and in New York, NY, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to make a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas.
We are on a bold digital transformation journey to redefine pharmaceutical R&D through the power of data, machine learning, and AI. As part of this mission, we are building a world-class digital R&D ecosystem that integrates scientific innovation with cutting-edge technology. We are pawing our way to the future by transforming how we discover and design small molecule therapeutics, integrating computational methods with domain expertise in medicinal chemistry, biology, and pharmacology. Join us at the forefront of this transformation and help accelerate the discovery and development of new therapies for patients around the world.
About Us
Orion is a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.
Orion provides meaningful work for more than 3 600 Orionees in Finland and abroad. Orion is known as a responsible and reliable employer where we value each other, strive for the best and build for tomorrow.
We develop, manufacture and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Orion has an extensive portfolio of proprietary and generic medicines and consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases and respiratory diseases, among others.
