Director of Research Development

A startup developing organizational and private communication software—with capabilities for chat, video meetings, phone calls, and emails—is hiring a Director of R&D.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the R&D roadmap, ensuring alignment with business goals and long-term company vision.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies, particularly in AI, to enhance products and improve development
• Continuously evaluate and adopt cutting-edge AI/ML solutions to transform internal processes and customer-facing products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize AI-driven features that deliver clear business value.
• Full Development Lifecycle Ownership
• Oversee end-to-end software development processes, from architecture and design to deployment and maintenance.
• Establish best practices for coding standards, testing, and quality assurance to ensure reliable and high-performing products.
• Build, mentor, and scale a diverse, world-class R&D organization.
• Provide guidance and support to engineering managers, team leads, and other stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented culture across the team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven track record in software development, with hands-on coding experience earlier in career.
• A few years of experience in a technical leadership role (e.g., Engineering Manager, Director of R&D, or equivalent)
• managing teams of at least 10–15 employees."
• Background in fast-paced startup environments is a strong plus, with an understanding of how to prioritize
• resources and pivot quickly.
• Strong knowledge of system design, architecture, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and DevOps practices.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and tools to drive innovation and product enhancements.
• Familiarity with large-scale distributed systems and data-intensive applications.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent.
• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, able to motivate and align teams around shared goals.