ZS logo

Business Technology Solutions Associate Consultant R&D

ZS
Chicago, IL, USAHybridProject / Program ManagementMid-Level$120,000 - $137,000Posted: today

About the role

Princeton, New Jersey; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Bethesda, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Evanston, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Durham, North Carolina

United States

Consulting

Technology

$120,000.00 - $137,000.00

24241

Get future jobs matching this search

or

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement.

We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Join our growing Business Technology Solutions (BTS) team at the intersection of life sciences, technology, and innovation. We partner with leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations to deliver AI-enabled solutions that transform R&D functions, including clinical development, drug safety, regulatory operations, and quality management.

We're seeking Associate Consultants who are passionate about solving complex business challenges through technology. In this role, you'll work across AI/ML, generative AI, cloud platforms, data engineering, and advanced analytics to design and implement impactful solutions. This is a highly collaborative, client-facing opportunity that combines strategic problem-solving, technology solution design, and hands-on delivery in a fast-paced consulting environment.

What you’ll do: Business Technology Solutions Associate Consultant in the Technology Services area will:

Design, build, and deploy production‑grade AI/ML solutions to solve complex R&D and life‑sciences problems

Develop and maintain end‑to‑end AI pipelines, including data ingestion, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring

Implement generative AI and agentic AI solutions, including orchestration frameworks, prompt engineering, and model integration into enterprise workflows

Collaborate with data engineering and cloud teams to operationalize AI models at scale

Apply software engineering best practices (versioning, testing, CI/CD) to AI systems

Monitor model performance, data drift, and reliability; iterate based on real‑world usage and feedback

Contribute directly to the implementation of AI/ML solutions, including data preparation, model development, and deployment support

Develop Python‑based analytics and AI components under the guidance of senior technical leads

Support testing, validation, and performance evaluation of AI models in real‑world scenarios

Collaborate with ZS internal teams and client teams to shape and implement high quality technology solutions that address critical business challenges

Develop a deep understanding of the business challenges and effectively translate them into technical designs

Lead modules and workstreams within projects while actively participating in hands on implementation

Work with technical architects to validate the technical design and implementation approach

Apply appropriate development methodologies and best practices to ensure exceptional client and project team experience

Support the project lead in project delivery, including project planning, people management, staffing, and risk mitigation

Manage a diverse team with various skill sets while providing mentorship and coaching to junior members

Lead task planning and distribution among team members for timely completion of projects with high-quality results

Lead the project deliverables such as business case development, solution vision and design, user requirements, prototypes, technical architecture, test cases, deployment plans and operations strategy

What you’ll bring:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Analytics, Computer Science, MIS or related field with academic excellence

3 + years of relevant professional experience in delivering small/medium-scale technology solutions

Experience in R&D technology projects including large-scale clinical transformation programs

Good knowledge of R&D business processes enhancements based on experience/best practices, business knowledge, and gaps in current vs. future state in one or more of the following R&D domains: Clinical, Quality, Regulatory, and/or Safety

Hands‑on experience with Python‑based data science or AI development through coursework, projects, or professional work

Exposure to deploying or supporting AI solutions on cloud platforms

Interest in growing into full‑stack AI engineering and solution delivery roles

Experience in implementing Agentic AI solutions, preferred to have formal education or certifications in AI & ML courses

Ability to lead project teams, drive end-to-end activities, meet milestones, and provide mentorship/guidance for the team growth

Strong understanding of RDBMS concepts, SQL, data warehousing and reporting

Experience with big data concepts, data management, data analytics and cloud platforms

Proficiency in programming languages like Python

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including expertise in algorithms and data structures

Fluency in English

Client-first mentality

Intense work ethic

Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

Additional Skills:

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to structure thoughts logically during discussions and presentations

Capability to simplify complex concepts into easily understandable frameworks and presentations

Proficiency in working within a virtual global team environment, contributing to the timely delivery of multiple projects

Willingness to travel to other offices as required to collaborate with clients and internal project teams

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to structure thoughts logically during discussions and presentations

Capability to simplify complex concepts into easily understandable frameworks and presentations

Proficiency in working within a virtual global team environment, contributing to the timely delivery of multiple projects

Travel to other offices as required to collaborate with clients and internal project teams

How you’ll grow:

Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways

Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities

Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

To complete your application:

An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At:

www.zs.com

Minimum requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's in Business Analytics, Computer Science, MIS, or related field with 3+ years in technology solution delivery
  • Hands-on Python experience, knowledge of AI/ML, cloud platforms, R&D business processes, and SQL
  • Ability to lead teams, manage projects, mentor, and communicate effectively in English

This listing was parsed by AI and may not be complete. Check the official posting on ZS's site for the most accurate information.

Ready to apply?
Applications are handled on ZS's own careers site.
Apply Now

More roles at ZS

Advisory Consultant - Business Advisory
Chicago, IL, USA · Hybrid
View →
Quality Business Analysis & Transformation
Chicago, IL, USA · Hybrid
View →
Experience Strategist
Chicago, IL, USA · Hybrid
View →
Strategic Alliances - AWS Partner Development Specialist
Chicago, IL, USA · Hybrid
View →
Strategic Alliances Senior Associate - Data partners
Chicago, IL, USA · Hybrid
View →