Head of Engineering, Crypto platform - Dubai

AP Executive; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

A crypto start-up in Dubai is seeking a Head of Engineering to drive technology strategy and oversee AI-driven trading platforms. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in software engineering, particularly in crypto and fintech, with a strong focus on blockchain systems and leading high-performance teams. Responsibilities include architecting systems, managing engineering teams, and ensuring system security and resilience. Interested candidates should apply via the provided email, specifying experience in relevant technologies.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the firm’s long-term technology strategy across AI, data, blockchain, trading systems, DevOps, and cybersecurity.
• Lead development of blockchain infrastructure, including smart contracts and multi-chain interoperability.
• Manage data engineering pipelines for market data, order books, and on‑chain analytics.

Skills

AI/ML expertise

Predictive modelling

Reinforcement learning

Blockchain engineering

Strong leadership

Education

10–15+ years in software engineering

5+ years in senior leadership roles

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Kubernetes

Docker

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.

To apply for this position please send your CV to Don Fletcher via [e-mail]

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