VP of Engineering

At Blackbird.AI, we help organizations discover emergent threats and stay one step ahead of real-world harm through our Real-Time AI-powered Narrative and Risk Intelligence Platform. Our commitment is to prioritize safety and security, providing the tools to proactively identify potential risks and ensure a safer environment for all. No matter the job or where it's located, we're all connected by a shared vision: to lead and enhance the landscape of risk intelligence.

Reporting to the CTO, the VP of Engineering is an important role within Blackbird.AI responsible for building strong partnerships with cross-functional teams. This position will play a vital role in overseeing the development of mission-critical systems, fostering a culture of collaboration, and ensuring our technology remains at the forefront of the industry.

The VP of Engineering will help to support and enable our rapidly growing business. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in AI and Machine Learning, and is a technically proficient, hands-on leader with strong communication, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to Blackbird.AI's values and goals. This person should be well versed in large-scale processing and data systems, capable of driving technical excellence, fostering a collaborative culture, and achieving measurable results in a dynamic and innovative start-up environment.

As the VP of Engineering, you'll have the chance to:

• Collaborate closely with the CTO and other stakeholders, including product, ML/AI R&D, Intel, and the Commercial departments, to execute the objectives of the Engineering Department.
• Lead the Engineering team, with an aim to cultivate a high-performing and inclusive culture that prioritizes innovation, effective execution, and professional development; ensuring they deliver top-tier products and services on schedule and at performance and cost targets.
• Expand the Engineering team with a focus on hiring individuals who are technically proficient and align with our company culture.
• Promote a collaborative, flat organizational structure that removes barriers and encourages communication.
• Utilize your hands-on experience in AI and Machine Learning to stay up-to-date on emerging technologies and trends in the industry; ensure reliability and scalability in our systems; manage external relationships when necessary; scale our systems in a cost-effective manner; and add new capabilities to our technology stack.
• Define and manage engineering programs that deliver reliability and scalability by design. Ensure that requirements are verifiable and can be supported by automated test suites and scriptable QA processes. Ensure that architectural designs satisfy data volume, velocity, and variety projections as well as forecasts for growth in user seats and the attendant challenges of multi-tenancy and concurrency.
• Build large-scale data processing pipelines, with a focus on conversational social media data.
• Draw on past experiences to formulate and oversee engineering budgets and resource plans, and proactively manage the performance/reliability/cost tradeoffs in implementations and deployments.

Requirements

• 10+ years in software engineering, marked by the successful stewardship of large-scale projects.
• 5+ years in a leadership role, specifically as a VP, or equivalent, in Engineering. Prior experience in Series B or similar-stage companies.
• Minimum of a Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or similar field.
• Clear communication skills.
• Proficiency with agile methodologies and tools.
• Demonstrate robust personal skills in software development, architectural design, and cloud-based infrastructures.
• Possess demonstrated hands-on experience with large-scale streaming data systems, including experiences in scaling ElasticSearch databases, network analysis, extensive AI enrichment, and large-scale text clustering.
• Thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.

We've outlined specific skills, experience, and requirements for this position, but don't stress if you don't meet every single one. Our Talent team is dedicated to discovering exceptional individuals, and they might identify a relevant aspect of your background that suits this role or another opportunity within Blackbird.AI.

If you have passion for the role, please still apply.

What's in it for you

Blackbird.AI is embarking on an exciting growth journey and takes immense pride in nurturing warm and inclusive culture. Our commitment is to ensure that every team member feels genuinely appreciated for their contributions. Together, we're on a relentless pursuit to be one of the best places to work!

Values

At Blackbird.AI, our core values are like our North Star. They shape how we work and make decisions, inspire us to be authentic, and keep getting better. These values are for everyone and are a big part of our everyday lives, just like inclusivity. They're woven into everything we do, no matter how big or small.

• Passion
• Purpose

We believe that we have a responsibility to society and that our service is vitally needed by governments, communities, and individuals to create an empowered and critical thinking society.

We cannot live our personal or professional lives isolated from the needs of society.

We believe that we must create an environment that attracts the best minds and offers them immense growth potential and the opportunity to directly drive positive social and global impact.

Profit and revenue are indispensable, but profit is not our intrinsic driver.

We believe in the power of science and technology when matched to the needs of humanity.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package, 401(k), and equity - everyone has a stake in our growth!
• Comprehensive health benefits for you and your loved ones, including wellness days and monthly wellness reimbursements - sometimes an apple a day doesn't keep the doctor away!
• Generous vacation policy, encouraging you to take the time you need - we trust you to strike the right work/life balance!
• A flexible work environment with opportunities to collaborate with your team in person - you can have it all!
• Inclusion and Impact - soar to new heights!
• Bi-annual offsites - have fun with your colleagues!
• Professional development stipend - never stop learning!

Pay Transparency

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York, Blackbird.AI is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to New York and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to skill sets;,experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. At Blackbird.AI, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current compensation range for this position is expected to be $200,000-$250,000. This range may vary for positions outside of New York and as it has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location where the position may be filled and does not take into account our bonus and commission structures.

Regardless of location, candidates can expect during the first few conversations with Blackbird.AI's Talent Team and Hiring Managers to share any approved budget and details on our competitive bonus and commission packages.

Apply Today

Equal Opportunity Employer