Algoteque is looking for a Head of AI Engineering who will be deployed at one of our strategic client projects, a dynamic product-driven organisation based in the Netherlands.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role for someone who can shape, drive and operationalise AI initiatives across product, engineering and business teams.

We are not looking for a traditional manager or a pure AI consultant.

We are looking for an AI leader who can define the strategy and get things done.

About the role

As Head of AI Engineering, you will be responsible for building and executing the AI roadmap, identifying practical AI opportunities, supporting build-vs-buy decisions, and leading AI initiatives from idea to production.
You will work closely with leadership, product, engineering and business stakeholders to make sure AI is used in a practical, valuable and scalable way.
The ideal person should be able to discuss AI strategy with executives, but also be technically credible enough to challenge engineers, review architecture, evaluate platforms, support prototypes and make informed technology decisions.

Key responsibilities

Define and execute the AI roadmap across the organisation
Drive AI adoption across product, engineering and business functions
Identify high-value AI use cases and assess business impact
Evaluate build-vs-buy decisions for AI solutions and platforms
Lead AI initiatives from concept and PoC to production
Design AI architectures and integration patterns
Work closely with Product, Engineering, Finance and Business stakeholders
Review technical concepts and challenge engineering decisions when needed
Support or oversee prototypes and proofs of concept
Assess ROI, business value and delivery feasibility of AI initiatives
Follow market trends and modern AI platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS Bedrock and similar technologies

What we are looking for

Strong experience in AI engineering, AI product development or AI architecture
Experience in a SaaS, software product or technology-driven environment
Ability to combine AI strategy, product thinking and technical execution
Strong understanding of modern AI platforms, LLMs, APIs and integration patterns
Experience taking AI initiatives from idea to production
Ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Strong architectural thinking and delivery mindset
Ability to challenge engineers and support technical decision-making
Business-oriented approach to AI, including ROI, adoption and value creation
Senior communication skills and ability to work with executive teams

Nice-to-have backgrounds

Head of AI in a SaaS or product organisation
AI Product & Engineering Lead
AI Innovation Lead with delivery ownership
Principal Engineer who moved into AI leadership
Technical Architect with AI product experience

This role may not be the right fit if your experience is mainly focused on:

AI consulting without delivery ownership
AI transformation advisory
Pure people management
Academic AI research
Data science without product or engineering ownership
Traditional engineering management without strong AI experience

Working model

The role is based in the Netherlands. Hybrid work is possible, but regular presence in the office is required, at least 2 days per week.