Overview
BLEND is on a mission to disrupt localization with AI-first technology. We’re looking for a Director of R&D who combines visionary leadership with hands-on engineering expertise. You will lead a talented team of ~10 engineers, own the execution of our ambitious tech roadmap, and drive the adoption of AI across the entire development lifecycle.
This is a high-impact role for a leader who thrives on innovation, execution, and measurable results. You will shape the team, tools, and culture that enable BLEND to double its output while reimagining localization technology.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Execution & AI-Driven Innovation
– Translate the company’s AI-first technological vision into an actionable and measurable engineering execution plan.
– Champion the integration of LLMs, RAG, QE, MT, and automation across products and infrastructure.
– Set a new standard for using AI across dev workflows – from planning and coding to QA and deployment.
– Inspire the team to “speak AI” – build skills, run internal demos, and pioneer working methods that maximize AI productivity.
– Deliver proof-of-concept AI tools and features that push the boundaries of what’s possible in localization tech.
Team Leadership & Culture
– Lead, grow, and evolve a high-performing R&D team (engineers, QA, DevOps).
– Drive hiring, team structure, and accountability – including the power to hire and let go as needed.
– Build a culture that blends creativity, urgency, and ownership, focused on delivering value.
– Coach engineers to become AI-fluent and product-aware, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
Technical Depth & Hands-On Leadership
– Set and enforce engineering best practices, scalable architecture, and operational excellence.
– Be hands-on when needed — able to review code, guide architecture, and troubleshoot with the team.
– Expertise expected in PHP, NodeJS, React, Kubernetes, AWS, and microservices architecture.
– Lead architecture reviews and drive engineering standards that support performance and maintainability.
You’re a Great Fit If You…
– Have 5+ years in R&D leadership, with a track record of delivering complex software systems.
– Have deep technical fluency and the ability to step into PHP, React, NodeJS, and K8s when needed.
– Are passionate about AI and know how to turn LLMs, RAG, and automation into real-world engineering gains.
– Know how to scale teams, coach talent, and hold people to high standards while inspiring them to grow.
– Deliver results while fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation.
– Believe in shipping fast, iterating fast, and learning from failures.
Success Looks Like
– 2x output from the engineering team, powered by AI-first approaches.
– Measurable impact on product delivery speed, code quality, and team velocity.
– Team evolves into a product-aware, AI-native R&D unit.
– Zero tolerance for underperformance and consistent hiring of top-tier talent.
– Roadmaps that ship on time – and features that matter to the business.