Head of Research and Development (AI)

TL;DR

Head of Research and Development (AI): Leading the engineering function and driving the transformation of delivery processes for a hospitality SaaS platform with an accent on AI-enabled SDLC adoption and architectural modernization. Focus on building high-performing teams, optimizing delivery workflows, and ensuring system reliability across the Kobas platform.

Location: Must be based in the UK

Company

hirify.global is a subsidiary of Jonas Software, providing enterprise management solutions for the hospitality industry.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team while fostering a culture of accountability.
• Define and oversee the technical direction, ensuring alignment with business strategy and product goals.
• Own the end-to-end development lifecycle, optimizing workflows for efficiency, quality, and predictable delivery.
• Drive the adoption of an AI-enabled Software Development Lifecycle (AI-SDLC) to embed AI safely into daily operations.
• Manage departmental budgets, technical debt, and resource allocation to balance feature development with system stability.
• Own the overall QA strategy, including the implementation of automated testing and quality standards.

Requirements

• Must be based in the UK.
• Strong understanding of software development principles, architecture, and engineering practices.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation programs, including process, tooling, and change management.
• Technical proficiency with PHP, SQL, MVC frameworks, React, and AWS infrastructure.
• Proven experience in modernizing legacy systems and implementing automated testing.
• Deep understanding of Agile methodologies and project management tools like Jira or Youtrack.

Culture & Benefits

• Opportunity to lead strategic technical transformation within a global software group.
• Focus on innovation through AI-first development practices.
• Collaborative environment with a clear mission to simplify hospitality management.
• Full-time position with a standard 37.5-hour work week.