Senior Director of Development

A leading international, NASDAQ-listed company is seeking an experienced Senior R&D Director to lead our Software Group in Israel. You will drive the development and integration of innovative software solutions for our cutting-edge AI accelerator platforms/chips. Overseeing a team of approximately 25–30 engineers, you will provide hands-on leadership, strategic direction, and technical expertise to ensure successful SW-HW co-development and timely project delivery.

Core Responsibilities & Key Competencies

• Leadership, Strategy & Execution:
• Lead and inspire a cross-functional SW R&D team (including micro-code, BSP, host/drivers, libraries, application, QA, and research) using a “roll up your sleeves” approach.
• Develop and execute long-term R&D roadmaps and strategies that align with the CEO’s vision and organizational goals.
• Mentor, coach, and foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability across the team.
• Implement Agile methodologies and structured PI Planning processes for projects spanning 6–12 months, establishing clear KPIs and risk management practices.
• Software-Hardware Integration & Technical Oversight:
• Oversee the design and integration of drivers, firmware, and SDK frameworks essential to our AI accelerator platforms.
• Maintain a deep technical understanding of system architectures and design details.
• Although you are not expected to code daily, you will be actively involved in reviewing designs, troubleshooting issues, and providing actionable technical feedback when challenges arise.
• Collaborate closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless interaction between hardware and software components.
• AI/ML, Model Optimization & Innovation:
• Guide the development, optimization, and integration of advanced AI/ML models—including large language models (LLMs) and computer vision solutions—to maximize performance on edge devices while ensuring accuracy and power efficiency.
• Identify emerging trends in AI, embedded systems, and co-development to drive future R&D initiatives and maintain technological leadership.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between local R&D teams and global headquarters, ensuring clear communication and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Program Management, and other departments to translate technical challenges into actionable business strategies & working plans.
• Manage cross-departmental conflicts by fostering an environment of open communication and resolution.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in R&D with a proven track record managing software-hardware co-development projects.
• Experience leading teams of 20+ engineers in high-tech, AI-driven, or embedded systems environments.
• Strong technical expertise in C, C++, Python, and embedded software development, with a deep understanding of drivers, firmware, and SDK frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of AI model development, optimization, quantization techniques, and integration of LLMs.
• Proficient in Agile methodologies, PI Planning, and risk management frameworks.
• Experience with FPGA/ASIC platforms and system performance optimization.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in high-tech AI-driven or embedded systems with familiarity in cloud and edge computing platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, Google Coral Edge TPU, Hailo AI Processors, Intel Movidius Myriad).