VP, AI – Software Engineering

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New Mexico.

📋 Description

• Spearhead the shift from a conventional software engineering framework to an AI-native engineering organization.

• Define and guide the adoption of AI throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Establish quantifiable methods to assess AI's influence on developer productivity, software quality, reliability, and delivery speed.

• Ensure that autonomous engineering agents function within set guardrails and modernization standards.

• Design applications and infrastructure to be compatible with agent operations.

• Cultivate organizational capabilities to design, develop, and implement AI-driven business solutions.

• Create frameworks for the integration of AI functionalities into enterprise applications and workflows.

• Assess AI technologies and solutions based on business value, feasibility of implementation, cost, and associated risks.

• Develop a structured pipeline from idea to production for high-quality AI solutions.

• Provide technical guidance on emerging AI technologies and vendors, influencing build, buy, partner, and platform strategies.

• Advise the SVP of Digital Strategy and other business and technology leaders regarding technology roadmaps, engineering strategies, and architectural decisions.

• Promote modular, API-first, and composable engineering methodologies.

• Oversee legacy platforms and decide on modernization, re-architecture, or retention strategies.

• Enhance codebases, environments, and data access layers for optimal performance.

• Strategically shape the mix of internal talent, strategic partnerships, outsourcing, and augmentation.

• Develop organizational capabilities and opportunities for engineering growth.

• Identify skill gaps and implement targeted hiring strategies.

• Design and manage support and sourcing models that ensure reliability.

• Oversee the departmental budget with clarity and accuracy.

• Evaluate investments based on quantifiable business and engineering results.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities through automation, productivity enhancements, architectural efficiencies, rationalization of applications, vendor management, and cloud/AI unit economics.

• Manage operational and capital expenditures while linking investments and milestones to financial and business results.

⛳️ Requirements

• Preferred Bachelor's Degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Systems, Industrial Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 10–14 years of technical experience, including 4–6 years in direct staff management or equivalent applicable experience.

• Proven experience in leading enterprise application modernization, including transitioning legacy and monolithic systems to modular, API-first, cloud-ready architectures.

• In-depth understanding of the AI software engineering landscape.

• Experience implementing AI-assisted and agentic methodologies throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Capability to establish and refine engineering standards, architectural principles, and governance frameworks.

• Experience in evolving engineering operating models and practices within established technology organizations.

• Strong background in managing operational and capital expenditures.

• Ability to correlate technical milestones with financial outcomes.

• Proven ability to collaboratively solve complex and ambiguous challenges.

• Capacity to manage multiple intricate problems simultaneously.

• Excellent communication skills across all organizational levels.

• Outstanding leadership skills with experience in building, managing, and motivating geographically distributed high-performing teams.

• Strong business acumen.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle competing priorities under pressure.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical coverage.

• Dental coverage.

• Vision coverage.

• Paid time off.

• Disability insurance.

• 401(k) with company match.

• Life insurance.

• Voluntary supplemental insurance options.

• Parental leave.

• Adoption assistance.

• Tuition assistance.

• Employer/partner discounts.

• Potential availability of bonuses, commissions, or incentive programs depending on the role.

• Geographic salary adjustments may apply.