Deputy CTO (AI Product)

Role overview

This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for a Deputy CTO focused on AI products, based in Saudi Arabia and working remotely. The role sits at the crossroads of backend engineering, systems architecture, and product delivery. You will serve as the CTO’s close technical partner, helping guide backend and machine learning teams while staying actively involved in building and shipping software.

The position calls for someone who can think strategically about architecture and also move quickly in execution, including prototyping and writing production code when needed. You’ll turn business challenges into scalable technical solutions, keep engineering and product teams aligned, and help small, focused groups deliver fast in a distributed, fast-changing environment.

Accountabilities

• Support the CTO as a technical deputy, stepping in to provide leadership across backend and ML teams whenever needed to preserve continuity in direction and delivery.
• Take ownership of technical architecture and key engineering decisions for products and features, with attention to scale, performance, and reliability.
• Stay actively involved in development by writing code, delivering features, and building prototypes to test ideas quickly.
• Convert business requirements into execution plans and guide compact teams of about 5 to 10 engineers from initial concept through release.
• Contribute to people operations, including hiring, offboarding, staffing, compensation input, and team coordination.
• Work with senior stakeholders to keep technical, product, and infrastructure priorities aligned.
• Oversee infrastructure and operational concerns so systems remain dependable, maintainable, and efficient in a rapidly evolving setting.

Requirements

• Strong background in backend engineering with a deep grasp of system architecture; experience with C#, Python, Java, or similar backend technologies.
• History of staying hands-on with code while operating in a senior engineering leadership or management capacity.
• Good business judgment and the ability to connect technical choices to product and commercial outcomes.
• Proven people-management experience, including hiring, team leadership, and allocation of resources.
• Comfort working across the full engineering lifecycle, from architecture and development to infrastructure and operations.
• Startup-oriented mindset with the ability to perform well in lean, fast-moving teams and lead by example.
• Strong curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning, including openness to experimentation and new technologies.
• Clear communication, structured thinking, and the ability to explain uncertainty in a practical way.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in software engineering and technical leadership.

Perks and benefits

• Fully remote full-time role with flexible working arrangements.
• Compensation will be discussed transparently during the recruitment process before employment is finalized.
• 28 calendar days of annual leave.
• 7 extra wellness days each year for personal recovery and household needs.
• Referral bonuses of up to $5,000 for successful candidate recommendations.
• 50% support for professional training, conferences, and industry events.
• Corporate discounts for English language learning programs.
• Healthcare support of up to $1,000 gross per year for medical insurance or healthcare-related expenses.
• Equipment support or reimbursement for a co-working space/home office of up to $1,000 every 3 years.
• Internal recognition and gamified rewards that can be redeemed for merchandise, experiences, and team activities.

Additional information

This role is listed through a partner company that will manage applications and all next steps in the hiring process. The screening and shortlisting process is powered by AI to match candidates against the role’s core requirements, with the final review and hiring decisions handled by the employer’s internal team.

Data privacy notice

By applying, candidates consent to the processing of personal data for evaluation and sharing with the hiring employer, based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures where applicable under data protection laws including GDPR. Applicants may request access, correction, deletion, or objection to processing at any time.

AI tools may also assist with application review, resume analysis, response assessment, and consistency checks, but human judgment remains central and final hiring decisions are made by people.