Head of Platform Engineering - AI-Native Platform

Michael Page; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a technology leader to define and build an AI-native technology platform in Abu Dhabi. This role requires extensive platform engineering experience and the ability to influence technology strategy at a senior level.

The successful candidate will work in a fast-paced financial services environment, developing strategies across cloud, identity, and AI. Strong stakeholder engagement and a commercial mindset are essential for success in this impactful position.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in platform engineering, cloud architecture, or technology leadership.
• Strong hands-on experience across cloud and identity platforms.
• Proven experience running production platforms at scale.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the technology platform strategy.
• Design and implement cloud and identity foundations.
• Lead DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices.

Skills

Platform engineering

Cloud architecture

AI/ML platforms

DevOps

CI/CD

FinOps

Integration

Observability

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

This is a hands on combining platform architecture, cloud and identity foundations, AI agent runtime environments, and enterprise technology ownership, delivered through a lean model of AI agents and specialist vendors rather than a large internal team.

Client Details

A high profile financial services environment in Abu Dhabi operating across multiple jurisdictions and business lines. The organisation has a strong focus on technology, data and AI, with security positioned as a core enabler of its operating model.

Description

• 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

Profile

• 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

Job Offer

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.

Skills

mlops, finops, engineering, cloud, servers, infrastructure, AI, automation, agents, development, hands on, tech, platforms, users