Head of Engineering, Crypto platform

AP Executive; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading crypto start-up in Dubai is seeking a Head of Engineering to define and oversee technology strategy in AI and blockchain. This executive role involves architecting a next-generation trading platform and managing a world-class engineering team. Ideal candidates have significant experience in software engineering, particularly in crypto and fintech, along with expertise in AI and blockchain technologies. Attractive compensation and opportunities for innovation are offered in a growing sector.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in software engineering with 5+ years in senior leadership roles in crypto or fintech.
• Deep expertise in AI / ML and data science.
• Proven experience building algorithmic trading systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the firm’s long-term technology strategy.
• Architect an AI-driven algorithmic trading platform.
• Lead development of blockchain infrastructure and ensure resilience.

Skills

AI / ML

Predictive modelling

Reinforcement learning

Data science

Blockchain engineering

High-performance team scaling

Cryptographic security

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Kubernetes

Docker

Kafka

Redis

Terraform

Job description

Ap Executive are working with a crypto start-up who are still in stealth mode to hire a Head of Engineering. The business has big ambitions with a solid business plan, and is lead by a very experienced professional who started his career in tier-1 global investment banks before moving into the start-up space.

This is a senior executive position and is responsible for all technology strategy, engineering, AI systems, blockchain infrastructure, security, and innovation. This leader will architect, build, and oversee the next‑generation AI-driven digital asset trading platform, blockchain tokenisation systems, and institutional infrastructure powering the firm’s operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute the firm’s long-term technology strategy across AI, data, blockchain, trading systems, DevOps, and cybersecurity.
• Architect an AI-driven algorithmic trading platform, including signal generation, execution engines, reinforcement learning models, and backtesting systems.
• Lead development of blockchain infrastructure, including smart contracts, multi-chain interoperability, tokenisation lifecycle engines, and on‑chain automation.
• Manage data engineering pipelines for market data, order books, on‑chain analytics, and external API integrations (CEX / DEX / connectivity).
• Ensure system resilience, low‑latency performance, and institutional‑grade reliability.
• Oversee all cloud infrastructure operations, DevOps / MLOps, containerisation, security, monitoring, and scaling.
• Establish secure key‑management protocols (HSM / MPC) for digital‑asset custody and trading.
• Recruit, manage, and mentor a world‑class engineering organisation across AI, quant development, blockchain, infra, and security.
• Lead technical due diligence, vendor evaluation, security audits, and regulatory technology compliance.
• Own the entire SDLC, from architectural design to testing, deployment, and optimisation.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 10–15+ years in software engineering with at least 5+ years in senior leadership roles in crypto, fintech, quant trading, AI, or high‑frequency environments.
• Deep expertise in AI / ML, predictive modelling, reinforcement learning, and data science.
• Proven experience building enterprise‑grade algorithmic trading systems.
• Strong blockchain engineering background: Solidity, Rust, smart contract architecture, cross‑chain protocols.
• Experience with AWS / GCP / Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka, Redis, Terraform.
• Proven ability to scale high‑performance engineering teams.
• Experience with cryptographic security, MPC, HSMs, custody systems, and secure infra design.