Head - Engineering
First seen by Alion on Oct 16, 2026.
Role Summary: Technical Visionary, AI Pioneer, and Client Partner
We are seeking a Head of Engineering to serve as the strategic, technical, and execution powerhouse for our highest-stakes global and US accounts. Leading a robust engineering organization of 500+ professionals, this is a vital executive leadership position designed for a hands-on technologist with a deep Application Development and Product Engineering background who can seamlessly translate enterprise architecture definitions into robust, scalable software. You will own the technical roadmap, drive the tangible implementation of AI/Generative AI solutions, and lead our engineering organization to deliver flawless, modern products. You are not just managing timelines; you are in the trenches with your team, establishing technical excellence, and serving as a trusted technical authority directly in front of our clients' C-suite and technology leaders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Hands-on Engineering Leadership & AI Implementation:
- 1. Architectural & Code Ownership: Partner closely with the Chief Architect to translate enterprise architectural visions into execution. Act as a hands-on technical leader who can review code, design complex systems, and establish gold-standard engineering practices.
- 2. Tangible AI Integration: Drive the strategy, prototyping, and production-level deployment of AI/ML and Generative AI capabilities into our product suites to solve real-world educational and workforce data problems.
- 3. Application Development & Product Engineering Excellence: Champion modern application development paradigms, ensuring the delivery of secure, scalable, and high-performance cloud-native applications.
2. Client-Facing Strategy & Advisory:
- 1. Technical Value Proposition: Serve as a core technical interface for US-based clients, building deep trust with client-side CTOs and technical decision-makers through sheer engineering credibility.
- 2. Consultative Problem Solving: Partner with clients to understand their complex business pain points and translate them into concrete technical solutions and engineering execution plans.
- 3. Scope & Growth Enablement: Work closely with business heads and architects to identify technical "white space" opportunities, managing scope expertly and converting client needs into valuable engineering roadmaps.
3. Delivery Governance & Scale Execution:
- 1. Large-Scale Global Delivery: Lead, scale, and mentor a 500+ member engineering ecosystem in India, ensuring tight operational velocity and alignment with US-based client expectations and product managers.
- 2. Agile Rigor: Ensure strict adherence to modern Agile/Scrum methodologies, driving predictive, on-time delivery (OTD) and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
- 3. Technical Risk Forensics: Proactively identify code smells, architectural bottlenecks, and project risks early, executing rapid remediation plans before they affect client delivery.
Professional Profile:
- The Hands-on Technologist: You have an undeniable Core Application Development and Product Engineering pedigree. You are as comfortable writing a proof-of-concept or diving into an architectural roadblock alongside the Chief Architect as you are directing a large org.
- AI Practitioner: You don't just talk about AI at a conceptual level; you have a tangible understanding of how to implement LLMs, machine learning models, and cognitive computing into commercial software.
- The Client-Facing Catalyst: You possess excellent communication and presentation skills, with a proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar technical accounts through direct cross-border client engagement.
Key Qualifications:
- Experience in Core Technology, Application Development, & Product Engineering roles, with at least 5+ years in an active, hands-on engineering leadership capacity managing scale.
- Scale Leadership: Proven track record of managing and steering large engineering organizations (hundreds of developers) across multiple product lines.
- Proven Client-Facing Experience: Demonstrated success interfacing directly with enterprise international/US clients, managing technical delivery expectations and escalations.
- Deep AI/ML Exposure: Practical, hands-on experience implementing AI features, data pipelines, or algorithmic solutions in live production environments.
- Global Delivery & Mobility: Strong experience navigating offshore/onshore global delivery models. Must be willing and flexible to undertake global travel as required to interface directly with US clients and global leadership teams.
- US Market Sophistication: A nuanced understanding of US business culture, compliance (e.g., data privacy, accessibility), and modern professional communication.
- EdTech Advantage: Prior experience in K-12, Higher Ed, or Workforce training technology is a significant competitive advantage, though general product engineering excellence is paramount.
Skills
Artificial Intelligence, Agile, IT Product Development