AI Engineering Lead

Location: Global Remote (Flexible: Poland, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Romania, South Africa, and Kenya)

Employment Type: Fixed-term, 1 Year

Overview

Seeking a highly hands-on AI and automation engineer to design, build, and scale intelligent solutions, integrations, and workflows that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and farmer impact.

Brief of the Role

Our client is a social enterprise founded in 2006 that equips 5.5 million smallholder farmers to make their farms more productive. Across nine countries that together are home to two-thirds of Africa's farmers, they provide high-quality farm supplies, tree seedlings, accessible credit, modern agronomic training, and a wide range of other agricultural services. On average, this model enables any farmer to increase their income and assets on supported land by more than 35 percent, while permanently improving their resilience. This is all made possible by a team of 9,000+ full-time staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Their Kenya program, founded in 2006, operates under a local brand. Close to 500 staff at the Kakamega headquarters support 1,747 field staff and serve more than 1 million farmers. In Nairobi, around 50 staff support global functions like procurement, recruitment, government relations, and communications.

Seeking a highly hands-on AI and automation engineer to design, build, and scale intelligent solutions, integrations, and workflows that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and farmer impact.

Your Background

Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical field required

• Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, analytics, and emerging technologies

• Strong understanding of business process improvement, operational systems, and digital transformation principles

• Good understanding of enterprise systems, integrations, software engineering, and technology platforms

• Strong understanding of customer-centric design and technology adoption principles

• Strong understanding of the organization's operating model, customer journeys, and strategic priorities

Technical Skills

• Strong AI engineering, automation engineering, and software development capability

• Demonstrated experience building and deploying production-grade AI, automation, and intelligent workflow solutions

• Strong solution design, systems-thinking, and workflow orchestration capability

• Strong API, integration, middleware, and enterprise systems integration experience

• Experience integrating AI capabilities into business processes, enterprise systems, and operational workflows

• Ability to translate business challenges into practical AI and automation solutions

• Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs and guide solution design decisions

• Strong experimentation, analytical, and problem-solving capability

• Ability to assess emerging technologies and determine practical business application

Other

• A proven track record of personally building and deploying production-grade AI and automation solutions, combined with a builder mindset for solving real-world business problems

• Ability to balance hands-on delivery with effective team leadership, coaching, and mentorship to strengthen technical capability

• Strong business and operational acumen, with the ability to navigate complex priorities and balance innovation against operational requirements

• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive the organisational adoption of new technologies

• A strong ownership mindset, with clear accountability for delivering measurable business outcomes and enhancing the customer experience

• Driven by a passion for leveraging technology to improve farmer impact, combined with high learning agility and a commitment to continuous improvement

Responsibilities & Expectations

Drive AI and automation strategy to support organisational priorities

• Partner with business leaders to identify opportunities where AI, automation, and intelligent systems can improve customer experience, operational efficiency, decision-making, and business performance

• Translate organisational priorities into a clear pipeline of high-impact AI and automation initiatives

• Support the development and execution of the organisation's AI and automation roadmap

• Ensure AI and automation investments remain aligned to business priorities and deliver measurable value

Design, build and deliver intelligent business solutions

• Personally lead the full lifecycle (design, development, deployment, and scaling) of AI-enabled solutions, workflows, and automation capabilities

• Architect and integrate AI solutions seamlessly across existing enterprise applications, data platforms, and operational systems

• Build scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions that solve real business problems and fit specific operational needs

• Balance innovation and delivery speed with long-term technical sustainability, risk management, and strategic requirements

• Guide technical decision-making across AI, analytics, and process improvement initiatives

• Maintain high engineering standards through rigorous architecture, code, and technical reviews

Drive organisational transformation through AI and automation

• Champion adoption of automation, AI, and intelligent ways of working across the organisation

• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce manual effort, improve controls, and enhance decision quality

• Support the responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies and best practices

• Ensure AI and automation initiatives are operationalised successfully and achieve intended outcomes

Build a high-performing AI and automation team

• Mentor engineers to strengthen AI, automation, and integration capabilities through hands-on guidance, pair-building, and technical reviews

• Establish governance and operating standards to ensure consistent, high-quality execution

• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning

• Deliver solutions that consistently meet business goals, timelines, and adoption targets

Monitor performance and maximise business value

• Monitor the performance, adoption, and impact of AI and automation solutions across the organisation

• Proactively identify operational, technical, ethical, and adoption risks and implement mitigation strategies

• Continuously improve the effectiveness, sustainability, and value realization of deployed solutions

• Ensure the AI and automation portfolio continues to support long-term growth and strategic ambitions

What You Can Expect from the Company

Career Growth and Development
We have a strong culture of constant learning, and we invest in developing our people. You'll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You'll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Comprehensive Benefits
Health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits.