Automation Engineering Lead

About this role

Build an Agricultural Enterprise's Automation Capability | AI & Automation Engineering Leadership | Hands-On Engineering + Business Partnership | Kenya-Based (Flexible for the Right Candidate)

BRIEF OF THE ROLE

Our client is seeking an exceptional AI and automation engineering leader to build their automation capability, lead high-impact solutions, and help scale farmer impact through hands-on engineering, business partnership, and technical leadership.

Our client is a social enterprise supporting millions of smallholder farmers through farm supplies, financing, and digital services, currently investing heavily in an internal AI and automation engineering capability to support its long-term strategic ambitions.

QUALITIES WE SEEK

Knowledge

- Master's degree in a relevant technical field (Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, Information Systems) or a Bachelor's degree with relevant certifications

- Comprehensive understanding of how AI, automation, and software engineering drive organizational strategy and business performance

- Expert knowledge of enterprise systems, automation platforms, digital transformation, and organizational change management

- Deep understanding of the organization's operating model, customer journeys, and long-term strategic ambitions

Technical Skills

- Demonstrated expertise building and deploying production-grade AI, automation, and software solutions, including complex enterprise system integrations (APIs, middleware, third-party platforms)

- Strong solution architecture and systems-thinking, with the ability to translate strategic business priorities into scalable technical roadmaps and identify practical applications for emerging technologies

- Proven ability to guide technical decision-making, evaluate complex trade-offs, and conduct rigorous architecture and code reviews

- Robust portfolio management and prioritization capabilities to ensure sustained, high-impact delivery

Other

- Proven track record in hands-on delivery of production-grade technology solutions, balancing deep engineering contribution with effective leadership and capability building

- Strategic leader with strong commercial and operational acumen, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and driving organizational change amidst ambiguity

- Ownership-driven mindset, accountable for delivering measurable business outcomes and passionate about leveraging technology to maximize farmer impact

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

Set and Drive AI Strategy, Automation, and Engineering: Partner with senior leadership to identify how automation, AI, engineering, and technology can accelerate strategic priorities and farmer impact; translate business needs into a clear engineering and automation roadmap; evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, scalability, and financial sustainability; act as a strategic thought partner to business leaders on opportunities, trade-offs, risks, and innovation priorities.

Lead the Design and Delivery of Scalable AI, Automation, and Business Solutions: Ensure automation, AI, enterprise systems, integrations, and software solutions are designed to solve real business problems and deliver measurable value; guide solution architecture and engineering decisions to balance speed, quality, sustainability, and scalability; personally contribute to the design, review, prototyping, and delivery of high-priority automation, AI, integration, and software initiatives; conduct architecture reviews, solution reviews, and technical quality assessments; establish and oversee integration standards across enterprise systems, AI platforms, automation solutions, middleware, APIs, and third-party technologies; ensure business systems exchange information reliably and efficiently; oversee the successful delivery, adoption, and performance of the automation and engineering portfolio.

Build and Strengthen AI & Automation Engineering Capability: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of ownership, innovation, and disciplined execution; establish robust governance and performance standards (SOPs) to ensure consistent delivery excellence, reliability, and continuous improvement; build long-term technical leadership and succession pipelines by mentoring specialists in AI, automation, and integration aligned with strategic goals.

Drive Organizational Transformation Through Automation and AI: Champion the adoption of automation, AI, and modern engineering practices across the organization; identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve decision-making, reduce cost-to-serve, and enhance customer experience; ensure automation and AI initiatives are delivering measurable operational and business impact; position the organization as a leader in the practical application of technology within agricultural operations.

Provide Stewardship of the AI & Automation Engineering Portfolio: Monitor the health, performance, value realization, and sustainability of engineering investments across the organization; proactively manage technical, operational, and delivery risks; balance immediate delivery priorities with long-term platform, capability, and organizational needs; ensure the engineering portfolio continues to support business growth, resilience, and future strategic ambitions.

Maintain External Awareness and Organizational Influence: Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and leading engineering practices; build strong partnerships across the organization and external technology ecosystems; represent engineering and automation priorities in strategic discussions and planning forums; continuously elevate the organization's understanding and effective use of technology.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE COMPANY

Career Growth and Development: A strong culture of constant learning and investment in people -…