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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director of Engineering - Machine Learning & AI Products - **Company:** Adobe Inc. - **Location:** San Jose, CA, United States - **Salary:** $265,700.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Large Language Models, Build Management - **Published:** July 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17738949?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17738949%2FDirector-Engineering-Machine-Learning-Ai-Products-California-San-Jose ## About the Role * Over 15 years of experience in software engineering, with extensive expertise in machine learning or systems driven by artificial intelligence. * Demonstrated history of delivering and managing AI/ML products in production, beyond just experimentation or research. * Strong business and commercial exposure, with direct ownership or leadership of a customer-facing, revenue-impacting AI/ML product. * Strong experience with ML system build, production architecture, and realworld operational challenges. * Demonstrated success leading senior technical teams, including performance evaluations, mentoring, and org scaling. * Ability to engage deeply with product partners and debate technical and product tradeoffs in fast paced environments. * Experience working directly with external customers and understanding customerfacing production realities. Preferred Background * Proven track record of building AI/ML products in startup or startup-like contexts that prioritize rapid market introduction. * Background in external, customerfacing platforms or products, particularly AIfirst offerings. * Familiarity with domains such as marketing technology, sales technology, or customer experience platforms. Leadership Attributes We Value * Handson, credible technical leadership with the ability to go deep when needed. * Strong product intuition paired with engineering rigor. * Comfort operating in ambiguity while building structure for scale. * Ability to earn trust quickly with senior engineers, product leaders, and customers. ## Description We are looking for a Director of Engineering to guide the development of AI-native, production-ready machine learning products for external clients. This leader will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of sophisticated AI systems-from product conception and rollout to production, customer engagement, and continuous operational success. This role requires a rare blend of handson technical depth, product judgment, and seniorlevel people leadership. You will lead a highly experienced ML engineering organization and work closely with Product, Development, and GotoMarket partners to bring differentiated AI solutions to market. Key Responsibilities Technical & Product Leadership * Own the endtoend delivery of AI/ML solutions deployed in production, moving beyond proofsofconcept to scalable, reliable, customerfacing systems. * Lead deep technical discussions on system build, model integration, performance, reliability, and operational readiness. * Collaborate directly with Product Management to build product vision, challenge assumptions, and ensure differentiation beyond generalpurpose LLM capabilities. * Drive architectural decisions that balance innovation, scalability, cost, and longterm maintainability. * Act as a senior technical voice with customers, handling partner concerns, roadmap discussions, and production issue resolution. Team & Organizational Leadership * Establish, grow, and manage a high-caliber ML engineering organization, scaling the team from about 4 to over 20 engineers as time progresses. * Manage and mentor senior engineers and leaders with 16+ years of experience, encouraging accountability, ownership, and continuous growth. * Establish a flat, handson, hybrid operating model where leaders stay close to the work while empowering teams to implement initiatives independently. * Conduct performance management, career development, and succession planning aligned to directorlevel expectations. Execution & Operations * Ensure excellence in production operations, including monitoring, incident response, model performance, and customerreported issues. * Drive strong engineering rigor across testing, release readiness, and postlaunch support. * Build scalable processes that support rapid iteration while maintaining enterprisegrade reliability. ## Related Videos - [Building Products in the era of GenAI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/827-building-products-in-the-era-of-genai) - [Introduction to Azure Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/368-introduction-to-azure-machine-learning) - [Answering the Million Dollar Question: Why did I Break Production?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1171-answering-the-million-dollar-question-why-did-i-break-production) - [The Avengers Initiative (Practical Ethics for Software Engineers)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2070-the-avengers-initiative-practical-ethics-for-software-engineers) - [Navigating the AI Revolution in Software Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1266-navigating-the-ai-revolution-in-software-development) - [How Machine Learning is turning the Automotive Industry upside down](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/61-how-machine-learning-is-turning-the-automotive-industry-upside-down) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [MLOps – What’s the deal behind it?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/125-mlops-what-s-the-deal-behind-it) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Stephan Gillich - Bringing AI Everywhere](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/489-stephan-gillich-bringing-ai-everywhere) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts)