Head of Platform Engineering - AI-Native Platform

Michael Page; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Head of Platform Engineering to lead an AI-native platform in Abu Dhabi. The role requires deep expertise in cloud, identity, APIs, and observability, with a strong focus on secure engineering and cost governance.

You will shape the platform strategy, drive AI adoption, and collaborate with senior leadership across the enterprise. On-site role in Abu Dhabi, offering exposure to cutting-edge AI operating models and a greenfield platform initiative within a regulated

Qualifications

• 12+ years in platform engineering, cloud architecture, or enterprise technology leadership.
• Hands-on experience across cloud, identity, integration, and observability platforms.
• Proven experience running production platforms at scale and making critical architectural decisions.
• Experience building or operating AI/ML platforms, MLOps environments, or agent based systems.
• Strong understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices.
• Experience managing complex vendor ecosystems and managed service providers.
• Background in financial services or other regulated environments is highly preferred.
• Commercial mindset with experience in cloud cost optimisation and FinOps.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to operate at senior leadership level.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the firm’s technology platform strategy, co authoring the enterprise reference architecture.
• Design and implement cloud, identity, and network foundations across a multi-entity environment.
• Own the AI agent runtime and orchestration layer, ensuring agents can be securely deployed into business workflows.
• Build the integration layer (APIs, iPaaS, MCP servers) enabling connectivity across systems and tools.
• Establish observability, reliability, and incident response across platforms and services.
• Lead DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices, aligned with cybersecurity standards.
• Drive FinOps and cost management across cloud and AI inference usage
• Operate a lean delivery model leveraging AI agents, managed services, and vendor ecosystems
• Act as a key technology leader engaging with senior stakeholders and shaping firm-wide AI adoption

Skills

Identity management

Network foundations

APIs

iPaaS

MCP servers

Observability

DevOps

CI/CD

FinOps

Cost management

AI/ML platforms

Managed service providers

Job description

Job Title: Head of Platform Engineering – AI-Native Platform

Job Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Work Mode: On-site

Job Reference/ID: JN-062026-7046384

Job Description / Role:

Platform engineering leadership role in an AI-native operating model

Define and build a technology and agent platform across financial services

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and deliver the firm’s technology platform strategy, co authoring the enterprise reference architecture
• Design and implement cloud, identity, and network foundations across a multi-entity environment
• Own the AI agent runtime and orchestration layer, ensuring agents can be securely deployed into business workflows
• Build the integration layer (APIs, iPaaS, MCP servers) enabling connectivity across systems and tools
• Establish observability, reliability, and incident response across platforms and services
• Lead DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices, aligned with cybersecurity standards
• Drive FinOps and cost management across cloud and AI inference usage
• Operate a lean delivery model leveraging AI agents, managed services, and vendor ecosystems
• Act as a key technology leader engaging with senior stakeholders and shaping firm-wide AI adoption

Experience Required:

• 12+ years in platform engineering, cloud architecture, or enterprise technology leadership
• Strong hands on experience across cloud, identity, integration, and observability platforms
• Proven experience running production platforms at scale and making critical architectural decisions
• Experience building or operating AI/ML platforms, MLOps environments, or agent based systems
• Strong understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices
• Experience managing complex vendor ecosystems and managed service providers
• Background in financial services or other regulated environments is highly preferred
• Commercial mindset with experience in cloud cost optimisation and FinOps
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to operate at senior leadership level

Skills Required:

• Identity management
• Network foundations
• APIs
• iPaaS
• MCP servers
• Observability
• DevOps
• CI/CD
• FinOps
• Cost management
• AI/ML platforms
• Managed service providers

Employment / Job Type: Full Time

• Opportunity to build a greenfield, AI native technology platform
• Exposure to cutting edge AI operating models and agent-based delivery
• High visibility with senior leadership and direct influence on organisation-wide technology strategy

Nationality: Any Nationality

About the Company:

Global professional recruitment consultancy and part of London listed PageGroup. The firm specialises in qualified professional and management hiring across finance, banking, technology, engineering, property and construction, legal, human resources, sales, marketing, and supply chain. Its Middle East business operates from Dubai and publishes widely used regional salary guides.

Company Industry: Financial Services

Department / Functional Area: Technology

Closing Date: Not mentioned