VP of R&D

The Role:

Rapaport is seeking a strong hands-on engineering leader (currently a Team Lead or similar role) who is ready to step up into VP-level responsibility. This role combines managerial responsibilities (managing :10 developers plus QA and DevOps, across four teams including Ukraine) with CTO and Chief Architect ownership of our technology stack and architecture.

We are especially looking for someone who is genuinely excited about the future of AI-driven development, adopting AI tools across the SDLC, building data-first systems, and leading a transformation in how software is designed and delivered at Rapaport.

The position reports directly to the CEO and will play a critical role in shaping the future of Rapaport’s platforms, which include advanced electronic diamond trading and information systems serving a global user base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead four small but growing development teams (:10 developers plus QA and DevOps), both in-house and remote (Ukraine), with the opportunity to scale these teams under the proper leadership.
• Set strategic priorities around scalability, performance, and reliability of Rapaport’s trading and information platforms.
• Own and evolve the company’s technology stack, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Architect and direct system design for high-traffic, large-scale internet marketplaces and trading systems.
• Drive Agile product development processes and establish regular release cadences.
• Maintain and optimize AWS-hosted infrastructure with an emphasis on automation and resilience.
• Develop multidisciplinary teams (development, QA, PM) and establish strong engineering standards.
• Oversee integration with public trading platforms, APIs, and third-party developer programs.
• Establish a support organization to measure and improve service quality and user experience.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to define and execute the Group’s long-term technology goals.
• Lead an AI-powered development transformation: introduce AI tools, build data-driven systems, and upgrade engineering methodologies.
• Act as CTO/Chief Architect in practice, responsible for technical direction and architecture.
  
  

Requirements

• Proven experience as a strong Team Lead or Group Manager, leading smaller teams (5–10 developers) and ready to step up into broader responsibility
• Experience managing distributed/remote teams across geographies.
• Working knowledge of cloud infrastructure (preferably AWS) and microservices architectures.
• Technical experience in multiple languages and frameworks, including .NET, JavaScript, React, and modern DevOps practices.
• Familiarity in high-traffic, scalable architectures, large-scale marketplaces, search/ad technologies, or trading networks.
• Proven experience in Agile/Scrum methodologies and experience delivering on predictable timelines.
• Background in multidisciplinary team leadership (development, QA, PM, DevOps).
• Excellent executive communication skills, with very high level English.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical leadership with executive-level strategy.
• Excited about leveraging AI in software development and driving data-first culture.
  
  

Details:

• Executive Title & Responsibility: CTO / VP R&D / Chief Architect - rare opportunity for a talented Team Lead/Group Manager to step into a VP/CTO role with full ownership of our technology.
• Direct Reporting to CEO: A seat at the leadership table and influence on company strategy.
• Ownership: Full responsibility for the Group’s technology direction and execution.
• A global, dynamic environment where your leadership and decisions will have direct, visible impact.
• Location: Jerusalem - Hybrid
  
  

About The Rapaport Group

The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing added-value services that support the development of ethical, transparent, competitive, and efficient diamond and jewelry markets. Established in 1976, the Group has more than 20,000 clients in over 120 countries. Our activities include: Rapaport Information Services – research, analysis, and news, RapNet – the world's largest diamond trading network, Rapaport Price List – the world’s leading pricing metric for diamonds and Rapaport Trading and Auction Services – specializing in recycled diamonds and jewelry. Additional information is available at www.diamonds.net.