Head of Engineering, Data & AI

Head of Engineering, Data & AILocation: Dubai, UAEEmployment: Full-time | On-siteReports to: Founder & CEOThis Is Not a Traditional Head of Engineering RoleYou won't inherit a large engineering organization, multiple managers and established processes.You will help build them.AskEddy is looking for an exceptional hands-on technology leader who can move between architecture, code, AI, infrastructure, cybersecurity, product and leadership — sometimes in the same day.We are looking for someone ambitious, technically exceptional and highly curious. You should be capable of leading engineers — but you should also still love building.If your preferred leadership style is primarily managing managers, attending meetings and delegating technical execution, this probably isn't the role for you.The technology decisions we make today will help determine what this company can become tomorrow.If you want to take real ownership of a technology platform, help build the engineering organization around it, and have the ambition to build something genuinely big from an early stage — keep reading.About AskEddyAskEddy is a UAE-based AI-powered technology startup building a new way for people and companies to discover, plan and book — from activities and entertainment to wellness and team experiences.Our platform combines an AI-powered consumer experience with a growing B2B ecosystem serving companies and their employees.At the centre of the product is AI — our intelligent concierge designed to understand what users want, recommend relevant experiences, build personalized plans and ultimately help users move from discovery to booking.But our ambition goes beyond putting AI inside the product.We Are Building a Company for the AI EraMost companies are trying to introduce AI into structures that already exist.We have the opportunity to start differently.AskEddy is being built from the beginning as a lean, technology-first and AI-native organization.Our goal isn't to replace great people with AI. It is to give exceptional people extraordinary leverage.We want AI agents and intelligent automation embedded throughout the organization — across engineering, finance, operations, customer support, business development, sales, marketing and beyond.That means we're not simply asking:“How can AI improve the company we already built?”We're asking:“If we were building this company today, with everything AI makes possible, how should it be built?”We are a fresh, ambitious team building at a moment when the rules of how technology companies operate are being rewritten.And our Head of Engineering, Data & AI will play a major role in answering that question.We are preparing for launch and are now looking for the technology leader who can help take AskEddy through the next stage of its journey.The RoleAs Head of Engineering, Data & AI, you will take ownership of AskEddy's technology function.You will work directly with the Founder & CEO and take responsibility for the technology behind our products, systems and future engineering organization.Your mandate spans:Engineering. Architecture. AI. Data. Cybersecurity. Cloud Infrastructure. DevOps. Technology Operations.This is a leadership position — but it is deliberately hands-on.When something breaks, you should be capable of understanding why.When architecture needs changing, you should be capable of designing it.When code needs reviewing, you should understand it.When necessary, you should be capable of getting into the code yourself.When we want to introduce a new AI capability, your first instinct should be to figure out how we can build it.What You Will Own1. Engineering & Product TechnologyTake technical ownership of AskEddy's consumer application, backend, Admin/Vendor Portal and supporting systems.Own engineering quality, architecture, performance, reliability and scalability.Review and improve the existing codebase.Personally troubleshoot complex technical problems when necessary.Build and ship new product features alongside the engineering team when required.Translate product requirements into technical solutions and establish strong engineering standards.2. AI & AI AgentsTake ownership of the technical development and evolution of AI.Evaluate and implement LLMs, AI APIs and emerging technologies where they create genuine business value.Build AI agents, intelligent workflows, personalization, recommendation and conversational capabilities.But your AI responsibility doesn't stop with the product.You will also help us identify and implement AI agents across the company, automating workflows and increasing productivity across departments.We want someone who constantly asks:“Could AI do this better?”3. Architecture & ScalabilityOwn the technical architecture of the platform.Evaluate the existing architecture and identify technical debt, scalability limitations and security risks.Design systems capable of supporting AskEddy as it moves from launch to growth and larger-scale operations.Make pragmatic architectural decisions appropriate for a startup — avoiding both dangerous technical debt and unnecessary enterprise complexity.4. Cloud, Infrastructure & DevOpsOwn the reliability and scalability of our cloud infrastructure, including deployments, monitoring, backups and disaster recovery.Improve CI/CD, performance, cost efficiency and production resilience.Our existing infrastructure is primarily built around AWS, so strong cloud experience is important.5. CybersecurityOwn AskEddy's technical security posture, including data protection, access controls, authentication, secrets management, vulnerability management and incident preparedness.Ensure security becomes part of engineering rather than something considered after development.6. DataEstablish reliable data foundations for analytics, personalization, AI and management reporting.7. Engineering LeadershipTake technical ownership of our existing outsourced development resources and establish accountability for quality, delivery, architecture, security, testing and timelines.As AskEddy grows, help build the internal engineering organization around the company's needs.You will participate directly in hiring engineers and technical specialists.We want you to build a high-performance engineering culture from the beginning.Who We Are Looking ForWe care much more about what you can actually do than how impressive your job titles sound.You are likely someone who has built substantial software products and is now ready to take broader ownership.You may currently be a:Senior Software Engineer/ Tech Lead, Engineering Lead/ Engineering Manager/ Head of Engineering, or similar technical leader.You should have:7+ years of strong software engineering/technology experienceExperience leading engineers, technical projects or engineering deliveryStrong software engineering fundamentalsStrong backend and systems architecture experienceAbility to read, review, debug and write production codeExperience designing APIs and distributed/backend systemsStrong database and data architecture knowledgeStrong AWS/cloud experienceCI/CD and DevOps understandingPractical cybersecurity knowledgeStrong understanding of modern AI technologiesPractical experience with LLMs, AI APIs, AI agents or AI-powered applicationsStrong problem-solving abilityMarketplace, payments, recommendation-system or consumer-app experience is highly valuable.What Matters More Than Your CVYou Are a BuilderYou enjoy creating things, not simply managing people who create them.You Are Extremely CuriousTechnology and AI move quickly, and so do you.You Take OwnershipWhy Join AskEddy?The important decisions are happening now.How we architect the platform. How we build AI. How AI agents operate across the company. How we use data. How we approach security. How we scale. And ultimately, how we build the technology organization itself.Our ambition is not to build another small marketplace.We want to build a category-defining technology company from the UAE and scale it internationally.Join early enough that, when we build AskEddy into what we believe it can become, your fingerprints will be all over it.LocationThis is a full-time, on-site position in Dubai, UAE. This is not a remote role.Compensation & BenefitsUp to AED 40,000 per month, depending on experience and capabilities.The employment package includes:UAE employment visaMedical insuranceVisa and medical insurance coverage for eligible spouse and dependantsAnnual flight ticket / travel allowanceAnnual leave and UAE public holidaysEnd-of-service benefits in accordance with UAE employment regulationsCome build AskEddy with us. Important — Application Form RequiredTo be considered for this role, please complete the short AskEddy application form below before submitting your LinkedIn application.The form includes a few questions about your technical experience, AI/LLM exposure, startup mindset, and salary expectations.Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1l4_KCiDfx-pO3vHbMrynJ0QtIGN6m49waZmrYugpjbU/edit