Rakuten Americas’ AI & Data Division (AIDD) is seeking a Sr. Manager, Software Engineering to bridge business needs with cutting-edge AI capabilities, building world-class AI experiences that serve as the digital core for Rakuten’s global ecosystem, delivering meaningful impact for nearly 2 billion Rakuten users.
Requirements
- Deep expertise in the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) within an AI/ML context, including architectural design, robust coding standards, CI/CD, automated testing, monitoring, and operational excellence for large-scale production systems.
- Strong technical acumen and hands-on experience in building and deploying AI/ML systems, with specific proficiency in areas such as Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), conversational AI, search, or recommendation systems.
- Extensive experience with cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and architectural best practices for building scalable, reliable, and secure cloud-native AI applications.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in the design, development, and deployment of AI/ML-powered software systems.
- Strong technical foundation and hands-on experience with Python and modern software development practices.
- Proven ability to lead teams toward high-impact technical outcomes.
- Experience working with or within Japanese organizations or teams preferred.
Responsibilities
- Drive the end-to-end software development lifecycle for AI-powered products and features, from architectural design and technical specification to implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.
- Define and implement technical strategies and best practices for building scalable, reliable, and secure AI systems, ensuring alignment with AIDD's overall architectural vision.
- Champion modern engineering practices including robust coding standards, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and comprehensive monitoring for AI/ML systems.
- Ensure operational excellence of deployed AI solutions, addressing performance, scalability, and stability requirements in a production environment.
- Communicate technical direction, progress, and challenges effectively to stakeholders across various departments and leadership levels.
- Recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent across global teams.
- Collaborate effectively across time zones and cultures, managing distributed engineering teams.
Other
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of software engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, including performance management and career development.
- Collaborate closely with Product Management, Design, Data Science, and Research teams to translate business needs and research insights into actionable engineering roadmaps and deliver robust, user-centric AI solutions and products
- Oversee project planning, resource allocation, and execution, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to quality standards, and effective mitigation of technical risks for global AI initiatives.
- Exceptional leadership skills in fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within engineering teams.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders including Product Management, Data Science, AI Research, and Operations, to translate complex requirements into technical solutions and drive alignment in a matrixed, international environment.
