AI Engineering Lead (m/f/d)

Halian; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Halian seeks an AI Engineering Lead to drive enterprise AI transformation within a leading banking institution. You will oversee multiple AI pods, shape technical strategy, governance, and robust delivery of AI-powered solutions across banking, lending, onboarding, and automation domains.

Ideal candidates combine 15+ years of software engineering with 8+ years in AI delivery leadership, hands-on expertise in agent architectures, generative AI, and platform engineering, plus strong cloud and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of software engineering experience.
• 8+ years leading engineering teams delivering AI, ML, or data-driven solutions.
• Minimum 3 years building production-grade Generative AI and Agentic AI applications.
• Strong expertise in AI Engineering Leadership, Agent Architecture, Generative AI, AI Platform Engineering, Enterprise AI Delivery, AI Governance.
• Hands-on experience with LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, OpenAI Agent Frameworks, Microsoft Agent Framework, MCP & A2A Protocols.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, FastAPI, TypeScript, Java.
• Strong knowledge of Azure OpenAI, GraphRAG, Hybrid Search, Document AI, Intelligent Automation.
• Experience with Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker, GitHub Actions, DevSecOps Pipelines.
• Expertise in AI Evaluation Frameworks, AI Red Teaming, Responsible AI, AI Risk Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI engineering teams delivering enterprise AI solutions.
• Define technical roadmaps, release plans, and delivery strategies.
• Manage multiple AI delivery pods and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Drive adoption of AI engineering best practices and standards.
• Define architecture patterns for AI agents, workflows, integrations, and enterprise AI services.
• Review and approve technical designs and architecture decisions.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards and governance requirements.
• Design and implement advanced agentic AI architectures and scalable workflows.
• Act as technical authority for code reviews, release governance, and engineering quality.
• Embed security, privacy, compliance, and responsible AI controls into delivery processes.
• Mentor AI Engineers and engage business stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

AI Leadership

Agent Architecture

Generative AI

AI Platform Engineering

Enterprise AI Delivery

AI Governance

Python

FastAPI

TypeScript

Java

Azure OpenAI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/AI/SE

Master's degree preferred

Tools

LangGraph

Semantic Kernel

OpenAI Agent Frameworks

Microsoft Agent Framework

MCP & A2A Protocols

Kubernetes

Terraform

Docker

GitHub Actions

DevSecOps Pipelines

Job description

AI Engineering Lead

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced AI Engineering Lead to drive the technical delivery of enterprise AI transformation programs within a leading banking institution.

This role will be responsible for leading multiple AI delivery pods, defining technical strategy, governing engineering standards, and ensuring the successful deployment of AI-powered solutions across corporate banking, lending, onboarding, and intelligent automation domains. The successful candidate will provide hands-on leadership across architecture, AI engineering, platform integration, evaluation, governance, and AI delivery practices.

The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in AI Architecture, Agent Engineering, Generative AI, Enterprise AI Delivery, MLOps, Platform Engineering, and Technical Leadership, with extensive experience building production-scale AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

AI Delivery Leadership

• Lead AI engineering teams delivering enterprise AI solutions.
• Define technical roadmaps, release plans, and delivery strategies.
• Manage multiple AI delivery pods and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Drive adoption of AI engineering best practices and standards.

AI Architecture & Design

• Define architecture patterns for AI agents, workflows, integrations, and enterprise AI services.
• Review and approve technical designs and architecture decisions.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards and governance requirements.

Agentic AI & Advanced AI Systems

• Design and implement advanced agentic AI architectures.
• Develop scalable AI workflows using modern orchestration frameworks.
• Build intelligent agent ecosystems leveraging structured outputs and orchestration patterns.

Engineering Excellence

• Act as the technical authority for code reviews, release governance, and engineering quality.
• Implement AI evaluation, regression testing, and release readiness frameworks.
• Drive AI-assisted engineering and agent-augmented delivery practices.

Responsible AI & Governance

• Embed security, privacy, compliance, and responsible AI controls into delivery processes.
• Ensure AI systems comply with enterprise governance and regulatory requirements.
• Establish AI monitoring, auditability, and operational controls.

Coaching & Stakeholder Management

• Mentor AI Engineers and senior technical contributors.
• Engage business stakeholders, architects, and technology leadership teams.
• Drive continuous improvement across engineering functions and delivery practices.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 15+ years of software engineering experience.

• 8+ years leading engineering teams delivering AI, ML, or data-driven solutions.

• Minimum 3 years building production-grade Generative AI and Agentic AI applications.

• Strong expertise in:

  • AI Engineering Leadership
  • Agent Architecture
  • Generative AI
  • AI Platform Engineering
  • Enterprise AI Delivery
  • AI Governance

• Hands-on experience with:

  • LangGraph
  • Semantic Kernel
  • OpenAI Agent Frameworks
  • Microsoft Agent Framework
  • MCP & A2A Protocols

• Advanced proficiency in:

  • Python
  • FastAPI
  • TypeScript
  • Java

• Strong knowledge of:

  • Azure OpenAI
  • GraphRAG
  • Hybrid Search
  • Document AI
  • Intelligent Automation

• Experience with:

  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Docker
  • GitHub Actions
  • DevSecOps Pipelines

• Expertise in:

  • AI Evaluation Frameworks
  • AI Red Teaming
  • Responsible AI
  • AI Risk Management

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Banking, Corporate Banking, SME Lending, or Digital Banking experience.
• Experience leading AI transformation programs.
• Knowledge of Oracle FLEXCUBE, onboarding, lending, and credit processes.
• Experience with Azure API Management, Kafka, and enterprise integration platforms.
• Experience managing multi-vendor engineering teams.
• Exposure to DORA metrics and engineering performance frameworks.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• AWS Solutions Architect Professional
• CKAD
• SAFe Agilist
• PMI-ACP

Halian Group

With over 28 years of experience, we have come to understand that innovation is the only way to provide agile, practical solutions that transform businesses and careers. Our resourcing and smart services help you to realise tomorrow's potential. Discover the amazing things possible when you bring the right people and the right technologies together.

At Halian, we recognise that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to building high-performing teams for our clients. We are committed to connecting organisations with top talent from all backgrounds, ensuring that every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them unique.

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