Head of Platform Engineering
Platform engineering leadership role in an AI-native operating model
Define and build a technology and agent platform across financial services.
About our client
A high profile financial services environment in Abu Dhabi operating across multiple jurisdictions and business lines. The organisation has a strong focus on technology, data and AI, with security positioned as a core enabler of its operating model.
Job description
Define and deliver the firm's technology platform strategy, co-authoring the enterprise reference architecture
Design and implement cloud, identity, and network foundations across a multi-entity environment
Own the AI agent runtime and orchestration layer, ensuring agents can be securely deployed into business workflows
Build the integration layer (APIs, iPaaS, MCP servers) enabling connectivity across systems and tools
Establish observability, reliability, and incident response across platforms and services
Lead DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices, aligned with cybersecurity standards
Drive FinOps and cost management across cloud and AI inference usage
Operate a lean delivery model leveraging AI agents, managed services, and vendor ecosystems
Act as a key technology leader engaging with senior stakeholders and shaping firm-wide AI adoption
The successful applicant
12+ years in platform engineering, cloud architecture, or enterprise technology leadership
Strong hands-on experience across cloud, identity, integration, and observability platforms
Proven experience running production platforms at scale and making critical architectural decisions
Experience building or operating AI/ML platforms, MLOps environments, or agent-based systems
Strong understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and secure engineering practices
Experience managing complex vendor ecosystems and managed service providers
Background in financial services or other regulated environments is highly preferred
Commercial mindset with experience in cloud cost optimisation and FinOps
Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to operate at senior leadership level
What's on offer
Opportunity to build a greenfield, AI native technology platform
Exposure to cutting edge AI operating models and agent-based delivery
High visibility with senior leadership and direct influence on organisation-wide technology strategy