Sr Validation Engineer (London, London, GB)

Senior Validation Engineer

Department: AI Governance

Location:London,UK

Your impact begins here

As Senior Validation Engineer, you will make sure the AI and data science workflows used in clinical studies do what they are meant to do, and can prove it. You will design and run manual and automated tests, investigate defects and build the test automation framework behind them. Your evidence protects data integrity and patient safety, and gives clinical teams results they can rely on.

What you'll bring

A degree in computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Practical experience in manual and automated testing (Python or similar), test design, debugging and defect investigation.

Experience with Git, code review, CI/CD, reusable test automation components and reproducible data analysis.

Strong IT understanding, including software architecture, APIs, integrations, execution environments and data-processing workflows, with experience in Microsoft Azure and Databricks.

An understanding of risk-based validation and data integrity, and the ability to judge whether test evidence supports a system's intended use.

A proactive, investigative approach and clear written documentation of technical findings.

Motivation to build expertise in GCP-regulated clinical data science, AI evaluation and emerging data modalities.

Useful, but not essential

Experience with R, and numerical or statistical testing.

Experience with open-source security and licensing assessments.

Experience with AI evaluation.

What you'll do

You will combine hands-on validation engineering with risk-based assessment of open-source components, working under the Novo Quality Management System (QMS) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Your main areas of work:

Design, execute and document manual tests (for example via the user interface) and automated tests in Python or similar, producing reproducible evidence that workflows and supporting IT/AI systems perform as intended.

Evaluate system architecture, integrations, cyber security and data integrity, and develop technical and validation documentation, from design specifications and IT risk assessments to user requirements and validation plans, so deliverables stay audit ready.

Build the team's test automation framework with reusable tests, fixtures, test-data generators, output checks and reporting components, and integrate them into CI/CD workflows to catch failures early. Keep test code under version control and peer review.

Assess open-source packages for intended use, considering purpose, complexity, origin, maintenance and community exposure. Screen components and dependencies for security, licensing and known defects, document required actions and recommend alternatives where needed.

Test workflows involving omics, imaging and digital-device data, covering input and output integrity, transformations, annotations, audit trails and reproducibility.

Work with AI specialists to evaluate models against the agreed context of use, reference datasets, metrics and acceptance criteria, including bias, robustness and human-interaction scenarios. Separate software defects from model limitations or variability, and document the evidence under applicable AI governance.

Who you'll work with

You will join a validation team within AI & Digital Innovation, part of Research & Development.

Day to day, you will partner with data scientists, AI specialists, software developers, IT solution owners and platform teams. You will also work with data and AI governance colleagues and external partners. Close collaboration helps you agree acceptance criteria early, raise issues quickly and move from finding a defect to getting it fixed.

The role involves occasional business travel, typically 4–5 times per year, with trips lasting approximately 3–5 days. These visits will primarily support participation in conferences, knowledge-sharing events, and in-person collaboration with local and cross-functional team members. The travel is intended to strengthen team alignment, foster collaboration across sites, and support professional development through engagement with the broader scientific, AI, and validation communities.

What you can expect here

You will work on validation for clinical data science and AI, an area where expectations for evidence are rising and where you can build deep expertise in GCP-regulated work, AI evaluation and emerging data modalities.

You will grow through hands-on practice and by learning alongside colleagues from science, development, validation and quality. You will be trusted to take ownership, make your voice heard and shape how the team tests and automates. You will be supported to perform at your best, with clear expectations for the quality of your work.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Application Support

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. If you're a person with a disability, if you're neurodivergent, and need any adjustments to be made during the application and selection process, please send an email to ZQUK@novonordisk.com. Please include your name, the role you are interested in and the type of adjustment your need.

Deadline  11 May 2026

You do not need to attach a cover letter to your application, but please include a few sentences about why you are applying in your resume or CV. To ensure an efficient and fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your CV .

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.