Director, Engineering - AI Products

About the role

Federato is at the forefront of transforming the insurance industry by leveraging advanced technology to create more accessible, equitable, and innovative coverage solutions. As the Director of Engineering for AI Products, you will play a critical leadership role in guiding the development and deployment of our cutting-edge AI-driven insurance products. This on-site position located in our office requires a strategic thinker with a strong technical background and proven leadership skills to oversee a talented engineering team. Your responsibilities will include shaping the technical vision, managing product development, and ensuring that our AI solutions effectively address complex challenges such as climate change and cyber threats. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful features, uphold engineering excellence, and foster a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the engineering efforts for Federato's core AI products, including Quote Agent, Product Studio, Submission Triage, and Content Management systems, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and performance.
• Build, develop, and manage a high-performing team of 9 to 10 engineers with expertise in machine learning, software engineering, and data analytics, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Define and implement the technical architecture and strategic roadmap for the agentic platform, promoting the development of autonomous systems that enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Maintain and elevate engineering standards through code reviews, architectural guidance, and hands-on contributions when necessary, ensuring scalable and reliable solutions.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Design, and Delivery teams to align engineering initiatives with business goals, translating product requirements into technical specifications and deliverables.
• Serve as a strategic technical advisor to go-to-market teams, helping them understand the capabilities and limitations of AI products and ensuring smooth integration into customer solutions.
• Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous learning within the engineering team, encouraging innovation and proactive problem-solving.
• Oversee the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of AI products in live environments, ensuring stability, security, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Drive the development of AI workflows, large language models, and agentic systems at scale, ensuring they are robust, efficient, and aligned with industry best practices.
• Support hiring efforts by identifying talent needs, participating in interviews, and onboarding new engineers to build a diverse and skilled team.
• Mentor engineers through technical guidance, career development support, and fostering an inclusive environment that values transparency and trust.
• Communicate technical strategies, project progress, and challenges effectively to senior leadership and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and informed decision-making.
• Lead initiatives to improve engineering processes, adopt new tools, and implement best practices that enhance productivity and product quality.
• Stay informed about emerging trends in AI, SaaS, and insurtech to continuously incorporate innovative solutions into product development.
• Manage technical risks and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including ITAR considerations, to safeguard product integrity and customer data.
• Contribute to the company's strategic planning by providing insights on technological opportunities and constraints that influence business growth.

Requirements

• Over 10 years of experience in software engineering, with a proven track record of leading large engineering teams of 15 to 20 or more engineers.
• Extensive experience in B2B enterprise SaaS platforms, especially within early-stage startup environments, demonstrating agility and innovation.
• Demonstrated success in deploying AI-powered products into live environments, with a deep understanding of AI workflows and large language models.
• Experience designing and implementing agentic systems or autonomous AI solutions at scale, with a focus on reliability and efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop engineering talent across diverse teams.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to take ownership of projects, proactively identify issues, and deliver results within fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Deep understanding of SaaS architecture, cloud infrastructure, and scalable system design principles.
• Familiarity with compliance standards, including ITAR regulations, and experience managing security and regulatory considerations in AI products.
• A collaborative mindset with experience working closely with cross-functional teams such as Product, Design, and Go-to-Market.
• Passion for innovation, continuous learning, and staying current with emerging AI and SaaS trends.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working within the insurance or insurtech industry, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities.
• Knowledge of climate change or cyber security solutions, aligning with Federato's mission to address global challenges.
• Experience working with startups through various funding stages, understanding the dynamics of rapid growth and scaling.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments and compliance standards relevant to AI and SaaS products.
• Background in developing or managing AI workflows involving large language models or agentic systems.

Skills & tools

• Leadership in AI and SaaS product development
• Building and managing high-performing engineering teams
• Designing AI workflows and large language models
• Software architecture and scalable system design
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Technical strategy development and execution
• Code review, architectural guidance, and hands-on engineering when needed
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and deployment pipelines
• Knowledge of security, compliance, and regulatory standards, including ITAR

Practical notes

Federato is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process, as well as for job functions. If you require accommodation, please contact us at talent@federato.ai. This role is based on-site at our office in [Exact location from SOURCE], and candidates must be able to work in this location. We value innovation, ownership, and a collaborative spirit, and look forward to welcoming a talented leader to our team.