Job Summary

Your main responsibility as the AI Manager is to act as the leader of the Labs team and to provide the environment to create innovative business solutions using emerging technologies. iHorizons Labs is focused on developing new software products and services in emerging technologies like AI, IoT and Blockchain. Your role will involve developing the unit, hiring the team members, and setting up frameworks for Labs teams to work within, as well as managing the implementation of this framework. The goal is to produce high-quality solutions that meet market demands and result into practical products that will be sold to customers. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire function, from initial design to final delivery of these solutions across various industries and platforms. Additionally, you will play a key role in presenting technical solutions during pre-sales and providing support to the sales teams to sell the solutions.

Job Objectives

• Build, establish and manage an outstanding technology innovation function, with a framework for development and implementation practices.
• Contribute to the company’s revenues by enabling Labs solutions to be sold on the market.
• Build a leading R&D team that is ambitious, motivated and self-dependent.
• Continuous research and development of emerging software technologies.
• Ideate and deliver state-of-the-art solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise teams in conducting research and development on the latest trends and directions in emerging technologies, including AI, ML, Blockchain and IoT, and in building solutions that meet customer needs while ensuring superior quality.
• Establish Labs’ R&D frameworks: create structures and processes for Labs team to operate on and develop new solutions and services.
• Establish the Labs teams: hire, develop, mentor and manage a team of AI/ML/ Blockchain/and IoT technology resources, among others. Define roles and responsibilities, set up practices for idea generation and testing, and establish metrics for success.
• Implementation of the framework across Labs teams and ensure that everyone is in line with the terms of work practices and goals.
• Ensure that teams are capable of developing rapid prototypes and proof of concepts to present to clients and partners.
• Develop and drive industry-standard R&D processes: research and stay up to date on best practices in technologies/solutions innovation, and work to integrate those practices into Labs framework.
• Develop, oversee, and audit documentations, operations, and updates of the Labs team to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Guide and lead the team in design and development of exceptional prototypes and proofs of concept (POC’s), services and projects in AI, ML, Blockchain and IOT to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Conduct market research to identify potential technology/solutions related business use cases which are aligned with strategic vision of iHorizons Labs.
• Lead and guide the team in design/architecture of solutions to ensure industry best practices, performance, and results. iHorizons
• Evaluate existing models, datasets, ready-made solutions, vendors, and cloud platforms to deliver the best-in-class results.
• Collaborate and ideate with cross-functional teams such as architecture, backend integration, database, web development, visual design, UX teams, QA, sales, etc.
• Through the team, design, build and maintain training materials for new joiners and existing team members to share knowledge between team members.
• Maintain relationships with strategic partners like Microsoft and Google to receive latest technology updates and solutions. Labs Technical Delivery
• Accountable for outcomes of the team work on all projects.
• Execute post-implementation reviews for all projects, with focus on analysis.
• Efficiently manage resource allocation/deployment and utilization to ensure proper staff productivity, improve cost efficiencies, and ensure alignment of capabilities with project demands Utilize the latest industry standards and techniques available.
• Translate business requirements into best technical solutions, recommend alternative technical and business approaches.
• Ensure that Labs teams deliver optimal solutions within specified timelines, develop, and implement SLAs to ensure adherence to quality standards and client expectations.
• Proactively identify design-related risks and issues, recommend, and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure smooth project execution. Presales
• Support presales and suggest accurate and competitive bids with cost effective solutions whenever possible and applicable.
• Own Technical Specification Documents (TSD) and ensure that they cover customer requirements whenever possible and applicable.
• Act as a successful business partner, contributing to developing new business offerings and enabling the required sales generation.

Managerial Responsibilities

Team Hiring & Selection

• Contribute to defining team Job Descriptions and competencies.
• Perform interview & selection activities and facilitate onboarding & orientation of new team members

Team Management

• Build and lead a diverse group of lean/agile talented R&D engineers. Develop, mentor, manage and motivate the team.
• Build a transparent, open, and consistent communication system between self and team members, while ensuring that the team has a clear understanding of business direction, strategy, and results.
• Consistently monitor team's work and performance by conducting regular team meetings and systematic reviews
• Enhance team's engagement levels by creating a positive work environment and by ensuring alignment of individual & team objectives to organizational goals.
• Assist and support team in achieving team goals and elevating productivity.
• Manage the design and implementation of team scorecards in collaboration with the Strategy function.
• Ensure continuous reporting of KPIs.
• Manage underperforming team members.
• Act as an end escalation point for team’s critical issues and ensures solving them in a timely manner.

Employee Development & Performance Management

• Effectively use performance management mechanism to ensure growth and development of each individual team member - setting clear objectives, scheduling periodical informal performance conversations and formal review sessions, providing constructive feedback.
• Support & guide individual employees in the team to achieve work and personal development goals through coaching and mentoring. iHorizons
• Contribute to career path planning by creating development plans for individual team members and ensuring plan implementation.
• Aid in succession planning by determining the critical roles in the team and identifying ideal successors for the critical roles.
• Ensure training need analysis is done for team members and that the chartered training programs are administered properly.

Processes, Best Practices & Work Standard Management

• Ascertain that work processes and tools followed by the team are effectual and of high standards.
• Establish and document best practices for labs team development activities like building model index/references sheet.
• Compare current practices to relevant industry best practices and bridge gaps (if any).
• Methodologies and practices should include business aspects of labs, like enterprise labs strategy, engagement metrics, user retention, monetization, data analytics and personalization.
• Closely monitor & audit the processes of the function to ensure the quality & work standards are maintained.
• Evaluate the efficiency of the tools and constantly update them.
• Strive to continuously enhance the efficiency, quality, and innovation of the labs’ development function.
• Research the evolving areas of work, new market trends & changes and keep functional processes and standards updated by incorporating these trends and changes into the work model and leading its adaptation.

Job Requirements

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, AI, or related fields
• Licenses and Certifications like Azure AI Engineer, Azure AI 900, Professional ML Engineer

Previous Work Experience

• 8-10 years of overall experience in AI/ML solutions development and delivery using software development languages and frameworks such as Python/Solidity/Pytorch/Tensorflow (experience in 2 of the above).
• Experience in building scalable, highly available distributed systems and possessing strong knowledge of ObjectOriented Analysis and Design, Software Design Patterns.
• Must have experience managing enterprise level of AI implementations like NLP, Computer vision, ML/Blockchain/IOT.
• Experience in LLMs, Transformers, and Neural Network models.
• 5+ years hands-on experience developing AI based solutions like working with AI models/ ML/IOT/ Blockchain
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with Agile (Scrum or XP), test & behavior driven development, continuous integration, and version control.
• Related DevOps tools experience is a plus (e.g. Azure DevOps, Jira, Hudson, Sonar, Jenkins etc.).
• 4+ years managing a development team of 10+ engineers.
• Experience of leading a research and development lab in any of the technologies a plus

Skills And Abilities

• Extensive software development skills including Object-Oriented Analysis, Design & Programming, Software Design Patterns and Java coding principles.
• Highly skilled in Python, Solidity, Pytorch, Tensorflow.
• Highly skilled in Azure Open AI, Google Cloud AI platforms

Desired Leadership Skills

• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage highly distributed offshore teams.
• Good mentor and coach

About IHorizons

iHorizons is a leading provider of business solutions and technology services in the Arab World. Headquartered in Doha, Qatar, we work with prominent clients to support their digital service migration journeys. The ultimate outcomes are radically improved customer experiences and increased operational efficiencies.

We are a forward-looking organization, always enhancing our methodologies and adopting new technologies so that we would serve our customers better and improve our position in the market. We have an outstanding culture, and we provide unique opportunities for career growth to all our staff.

Powered by JazzHR

7ujHsCS3HQ