Sr Director, Artificial Intelligence at Illumina

San Diego, California, United States

Illumina Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Biotechnology, Healthcare, GenomicsIndustries

Requirements

  • Deep technical expertise in AI, including generative AI, machine learning, and automation technologies
  • Strategic foresight to shape enterprise AI strategy and remain at the forefront of AI for competitive advantage
  • Ability to operate effectively in a highly matrixed, global organization across regions, cultures, functions, and time zones
  • Strategic visionary – ability to see the “big picture” and translate AI potential into clear business impact
  • Change leadership – skilled at leading transformation and influencing adoption across a global, matrixed organization
  • Collaborative influencer – strong at building trust and alignment with C-suite leaders, business partners, and technical teams worldwide
  • Results orientation – demonstrated ability to deliver measurable outcomes through innovation
  • Financial & vendor acumen – proven record of managing budgets and optimizing external resources for cost-effective outcomes
  • Global mindset – comfortable working across regions, cultures, and time zones with sensitivity

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the enterprise-wide AI roadmap aligned to business goals, customer needs, and product innovation
  • Partner with the CIO, senior executives, and business leaders to identify and prioritize AI use with the highest value impact
  • Drive thought leadership on emerging AI trends, risks, and opportunities
  • Lead the design and deployment of AI-powered tools, platforms, and solutions across customer support, workflow optimization, and product innovation
  • Establish AI governance standards, including data ethics, security, compliance, and model transparency
  • Oversee the integration of generative AI, machine learning, and automation technologies into core platforms and products
  • Build and scale robust AI infrastructure, including data pipelines, model training environments, and deployment frameworks
  • Partner with GIS and the organization to ensure scalable, secure, and high-performing AI platforms
  • Strategically leverage and oversee cost-effective consultants, contractors, and vendor partners to augment capabilities
  • Maintain ownership of AI budget planning, allocation, and tracking to maximize ROI and ensure cost discipline
  • Build, inspire, and lead a world-class AI team of data scientists and engineers
  • Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and ethical AI adoption
  • Influence and educate senior leadership and business partners on AI potential, risks, and ROI

Skills

Artificial Intelligence
AI Strategy
Enterprise AI
AI Roadmap
Machine Learning
Genomics
Data Analytics
Strategic Leadership
Product Innovation

Illumina

Supports genomics startups through funding and resources

About Illumina

Illumina focuses on fostering innovation in the genomics industry by supporting startups through its Illumina Accelerator program. This program helps entrepreneurs create, launch, and grow genomics-focused companies by providing funding and resources. The accelerator operates in two main locations: the San Francisco Bay Area and Cambridge, UK. Illumina Accelerator has successfully invested in 68 genomics startups, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in venture capital. What sets Illumina apart from its competitors is its strong partnership with leading venture capital investors and its dedicated focus on the genomics sector. The goal of Illumina is to build a thriving ecosystem for genomics innovation, enabling new companies to emerge and advance the field.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters
1998Year Founded
$27.2MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Venture Capital, BiotechnologyIndustries
5,001-10,000Employees

Risks

Over-reliance on NVIDIA's AI technology may limit flexibility in AI solution adoption.
Standardizing proteomics data across platforms could challenge Illumina's data reliability.
Single-flow-cell NovaSeq X System might cannibalize sales of higher-end models.

Differentiation

Illumina leads in genomic sequencing with advanced AI integration and multiomic data analysis.
The company offers innovative array-based solutions for DNA, RNA, and protein analysis.
Illumina's global expansion includes a new Global Capability Center in Bengaluru.

Upsides

Collaboration with NVIDIA enhances drug discovery and clinical development through AI integration.
Pilot proteomics program with UK Biobank aims to generate crucial reference datasets.
Single-cell sequencing kits make high-throughput sequencing accessible to smaller labs.

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