Data Science problems are everywhere, but the talent is not. At Obviously AI, our vision is to turn every company into an AI company. We do this by providing businesses with access to world class, on-demand data science talent that helps them solve real business problems. On the back end, we empower data scientists with a set of internal groundbreaking tools to help them deliver results in minutes, not months.
We’re a small, scrappy group of people with a strong bent toward failing fast, bias for action and attention to detail. We’re focused on doing the best work of our lives and believe in having a healthy separation of work and play. We keep working hours flexible and are building a hybrid team located in San Francisco, CA and Bangalore, India.
Obviously AI is backed by some of the top venture capital firms in the US, and you’ll be on the ground floor of a fast-growing company with a big mission.
About You
As the VP of Engineering, you'll lead our team in creating cutting-edge software, defining our engineering vision, and collaborating closely with the product team to bring new features to life. You'll build and nurture a high-performing engineering team, set clear goals, and ensure we're at the forefront of AI and engineering trends. If you have a track record of leadership, experience in startups, and a knack for translating complex ideas into simple terms, this role is for you.
Our ideal candidate is someone who can guide their team to deliver high-quality software on time and within budget. You have a deep understanding of software development methodologies, programming languages, and can articulate complicated concepts in layman terms. You are enthusiastic about AI/ML’s potential to help create business results and are familiar with key ML concepts (e.g. hyperparameter tuning). A helpful strength you have is a balance between working collaboratively and autonomously, spearheading the engineering team towards results.
You will report directly to the CEO and CTO, you'll be a key proponent of Obviously AI’s early success and have the equity (aka. "skin in the game") to make it worthwhile.
Here are some other qualities we’re looking for in a perfect hire:
- You are not afraid of failure.
- You can think out of the box and try new things that have never been done before.
- You are a clear and creative thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- You can creatively articulate complicated concepts in layman terms.
- You love machine learning and data science, and are always up to speed with the latest developments in the space.
- You possess the personality to easily connect and become familiar with new people.
- You work collaboratively but autonomously: asking for what you need, but not expecting micromanagement.
- You like processes and want to help build it, but you're also OK with the "organized chaos" of a small team.
- You're excited to build a career at an energetic startup, with an eagerness to learn and develop your skill set across a wide range of activities.
- You're comfortable communicating new ideas and experimenting without fear of failure.
- You're able to pick up new skills quickly, and adapt well to feedback on your work.
- You’re a leader, with a keen eye for talent, deep empathy for your teammates and an understanding of your responsibility towards the product and the customer.
- You have the ability to get the best out of people, challenging where needed and empathetically supporting your teammates throughout.
Responsibilities
- Lead the engineering team in developing and delivering Obviously AI's products and services. This includes defining the engineering vision and strategy, setting priorities, and allocating resources.
- Work with the product team to define and implement the technical requirements for new products and features.
- Oversee the engineering process, from development and testing to deployment and maintenance.
- Build and maintain a high-performing engineering team. This includes hiring, training, and developing engineers, as well as creating a positive and productive work environment.
- Collaborate with other departments, such as sales, marketing, and customer support, to ensure that Obviously AI's products and services meet the needs of its customers.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in artificial intelligence and engineering.
- Represent Obviously AI at industry events and conferences.
- Developing and implementing Obviously AI's AI infrastructure. This includes choosing the right hardware and software platforms, and developing the necessary tools and frameworks.
- Working with the data science team to develop and deploy AI models.
- Ensuring that Obviously AI's products and services are secure and compliant with all applicable regulations.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Experience working with small (Series A to Series C) startups.
- Experience working closely with founders and/or organization leaders
- Implementational understanding of end-to-end software development lifecycle
- Prior experience creating a team from scratch: recruiting and headhunting talent
- Strong business acumen and understanding of how to translate customer needs into technical solutions.
- Ability to coordinate with engineering teams abroad (mainly India) and report back to leadership efficiently
- Ability to define clear goals, objectives, and performance metrics for teamwide efforts
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a high-performing engineering team.
- Oversee resource allocation, workload management, and recruitment efforts to scale the team effectively.
- Strong background in designing/implementing/documenting REST APIs using the OpenAPI standard (experience with FastAPI framework preferred).
- Deep understanding of DevOps practices – prior experience with Kubernetes is a plus.
- Deep understanding of software development methodologies, programming languages, and cloud computing platforms.
- Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
- Experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning (desired but not required).
Bonus
- Experience working on a data science or AI product.
- Experience working on a self-serve, product-led SaaS product.
Benefits
- Equity Package
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Work Equipment
