Head of Exploratory R&D - Industrial AI

DeepRec.ai; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

DeepRec.ai is seeking a senior AI research and innovation leader to shape its long-term approach to emerging AI within a major industrial technology context.

The role sits at the crossroads of frontier AI research, technical strategy and industrial application, identifying impactful developments and turning them into prototypes and early-stage initiatives. You’ll build and mentor a high-calibre R&D team and communicate opportunities to executives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience across AI/ML, applied research, or tech innovation.
• Experience influencing executives and shaping long-term strategy.
• Deep knowledge of modern AI and foundation models.
• Strong research and experimentation mindset with impact in industry.

Responsibilities

• Identify breakthroughs in AI with potential for industrial application.
• Evaluate and incubate experimental AI concepts from research to prototype.
• Lead early-stage initiatives and build a high-calibre R&D team.
• Communicate opportunities to executive stakeholders and shape strategy.
• Collaborate with senior technical, product, and business leaders.

Skills

AI/ML leadership

Research mindset

Executive communication

Prototype development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Advanced degree (CS/AI/Applied Math)

Job description

We’re partnering with a global industrial technology company to appoint a senior AI research and innovation leader who will help shape its long-term approach to emerging AI.

This is a highly exploratory role sitting at the intersection of frontier AI research, technical strategy and industrial application.

You’ll be responsible for identifying important developments across the AI landscape, determining what has genuine potential versus hype, and turning the strongest ideas into prototypes and early-stage technology initiatives.

The opportunity

You’ll have the freedom to investigate emerging areas of AI, build and test new concepts, and influence where a major industrial technology organisation invests next.

The role will involve:

• Exploring emerging AI research, models and architectures


• Building and validating experimental AI concepts


• Taking promising ideas from research through early incubation


• Evaluating new approaches across foundation models and the wider AI ecosystem


• Identifying opportunities for AI within complex industrial environments


• Working closely with senior technical, product and business leaders


• Communicating emerging technology opportunities to executive stakeholders


• Building and mentoring a high-calibre AI R&D team

Someone with 10+ years of experience across AI/ML, applied research, advanced R&D or technology innovation, ideally combining deep technical capability with the ability to influence at executive level.

You’ll likely have:

• Deep knowledge of modern AI and foundation models


• A strong research and experimentation mindset


• Experience taking emerging technologies from concept towards real-world application


• Exposure to AI within industrial, engineering, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing or other complex physical environments


• Strong technical credibility, ideally supported by publications, patents or recognised research contributions


• Experience presenting complex technical ideas to senior executives


• Previous technical leadership and/or team-building experience


• An advanced degree in Computer Science, AI, Applied Mathematics or a related technical discipline is highly desirable

This is a rare opportunity for someone who wants to stay close to frontier AI research while having the resources and influence to determine how those technologies could be applied to real-world industrial problems.