Head of Engineering - AI & Full Stack

at  APCO Worldwide

The APCO AI Comms Lab is not a product, not a new service, nor is it digital 2.0. It’s the foundation of our modus operandi at APCO; helping our clients through the latest in innovation and the biggest of ideas. The lab is powered by communications and technology experts who are tapping into a demand for disruptive AI technologies. Currently, we are focusing on using AI to revolutionize the way we think about content optimization, storytelling, digital and social media optimization, multimedia and creative, crisis management, media monitoring and digital listening. We are also excited about the potential of these technologies to actually shape strategies and unlock new insights and opportunities for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
• Proven experience in managing and leading engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Skills:
• Strong technical background with expertise in software development, system architecture, and engineering best practices.
• Extensive knowledge of the following technologies and tools, understanding their integration and application in building enterprise systems:
• Full-Stack Development:
• Proficiency with NextJS and React 17+ for developing dynamic web applications.
• Expertise in implementing Role-Based Access Control with SSO, including authentication and authorization protocols.
• AI System Design and Architecture:
• Experience with advanced AI models such as OpenAI GPT-4, OpenAI Embedding Models, Claude Models, and HuggingFace Models & Transformers Library.
• Proficiency with AI orchestration tools like Langchain, Langgraph, Langchain - LCEL, Tavily, and LLamaIndex.
• Knowledge of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) using hybrid search and multiple vectorization strategies.
• Backend and Infrastructure:
• Expertise with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker and Doppler.
• Familiarity with messaging and event streaming platforms such as Apache Kafka and RabbitMQ.
• Experience with key-value stores and caching mechanisms like Redis.
• Proficiency in data engineering tools like dbt, Apache Spark, Delta Lake, Dask, and ORMs such as Prisma.
• Skilled in connecting and aggregating multiple APIs and datasets using Apache Nifi, Apache Camel, CubeJS, and SQL.
• Understanding of vector databases like Chroma, Pinecone, Weaviate, Milvus, Qdrant, and Azure AI Search.
• Expertise in graph databases and knowledge graphs, particularly Neo4J.
• Proven experience ensuring multi-tenancy and high availability of infrastructure.
• Cloud Infrastructure and Services:
• Extensive experience with Azure AI Infrastructure, Azure App Services, Azure Functions, and Azure Flexible SQL.
• Knowledge of cloud security, including CloudFlare WAF, Zero Trust integration with authentication services, and SSO with Microsoft Entra ID.
• Data Processing and Management:
• Proficiency with data orchestration tools such as Prefect.
• Expertise in data lake solutions and their management.
• Advanced Search and Integration:
• Experience with Role-Based Access Control, multiple API integrations, and dataset aggregation using tools like Apache Spark and dbt.
• Leadership Skills:
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a strategic mindset.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Industry Knowledge:
• Experience in the public relations, media, or digital marketing industry is highly desirable.
• Understanding of the unique technological needs and challenges within the PR sector.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Head of Engineering will be responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of the company. This includes developing and implementing engineering strategies, managing the engineering team, and ensuring the successful delivery of technology projects. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, excellent leadership skills, and a proven track record in managing engineering teams and projects. A deep understanding of full-stack and AI system design and architecture is essential.
We are very open to location, you can either be based in the Middle East, in Europe or across APAC.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Management:
• Lead and mentor the engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluation of engineering staff.
• “Demonstrable adaptability to changing priorities, with a balanced approach to pragmatism versus best practices.”
• Technical Oversight:
• Provide technical guidance and expertise across all engineering projects.
• Ensure that engineering practices and processes meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, integrating relevant advancements into the company’s technological roadmap.
• Deep understanding of full-stack and AI system design and architecture, including Domain-Driven Design and Clean Code architecture.
• Ensure multi-tenancy and high availability of infrastructure.
• Project Management:
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and deliverables.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful project outcomes.
• “Ensure complete and accessible technical documentation of projects, including details of technical debt accrued during the development process and strategies to resolve them in the future.”
• Innovation and Development:
• Drive innovation within the engineering team, encouraging the development of new ideas and solutions.
• Identify opportunities for technological advancements that can enhance the company’s services and client offerings.
• Lead the development and implementation of new engineering tools and systems.