Head of Research and Development (SaaS)

TL;DR

Head of Research and Development (SaaS): Leading the engineering function and transforming delivery processes for a hospitality SaaS platform with an accent on AI-enabled SDLC and scalable architecture. Focus on embedding AI into the development lifecycle, improving delivery efficiency, and managing a high-performing engineering team.

Location: Remote (Must be based in the UK)

Company

hirify.global provides Software-as-a-Service to the hospitality industry, transforming operational routines into efficient digital management systems.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team focused on continuous improvement and accountability.
• Define the technical direction and oversee the quality, scalability, and reliability of the hirify.global platform.
• Own and drive the adoption of an AI-enabled Software Development Lifecycle (AI-SDLC) to embed AI into end-to-end delivery.
• Manage the development workflow, workload distribution, and triage process in collaboration with the Product Manager.
• Implement and maintain effective development practices, including testing, code quality, and design standards.
• Manage the departmental budget and balance trade-offs between cost, speed, and quality.

Requirements

• Strong expertise in software development principles, architecture, and engineering practices.
• Technical understanding of PHP, SQL, Symfony, React, AWS, APIs, and Linux environments.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation programs, specifically AI-enabled delivery and governance.
• Deep understanding of Agile development and proficiency with project management tools like Jira or YouTrack.
• Must be based in the UK.

Nice to have

• Experience working with legacy systems and modernizing architecture.
• Experience implementing automated testing and advanced development tooling.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement within the UK.
• Opportunity to lead a major AI transformation within the engineering department.
• Collaborative environment with a strong focus on ownership and accountability.
• Professional growth within a global network under Jonas Software.