AI Director / Director of Machine Learning (Remote, Full-Time) [AS256]

About Smart Working At Smart Working, we believe your job should not only look right on paper but also feel right every day. This isn’t just another remote opportunity - it’s about finding where you truly belong, no matter where you are. From day one, you’re welcomed into a genuine community that values your growth and well-being. Our mission is simple: to break down geographic barriers and connect skilled professionals with outstanding global teams and products for full-time, long-term roles. We help you discover meaningful work with teams that invest in your success, where you’re empowered to grow personally and professionally. Join one of the highest-rated workplaces on Glassdoor and experience what it means to thrive in a truly remote-first world. About the Role We are seeking an experienced AI Director to lead the research, strategy, development, and implementation of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning initiatives across a highly innovative product environment. This is a senior leadership role for an individual who combines deep technical expertise in AI/ML with the ability to translate emerging technologies into practical business and product outcomes. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI systems, driving experimentation, building prototypes, and establishing best practices that enable teams to adopt AI effectively. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable discussing advanced machine learning architectures with engineers, presenting AI strategies to leadership teams, and guiding cross-functional stakeholders on how AI can enhance products, workflows, and operational efficiency. This role is well-suited to someone who enjoys exploring new technologies, solving complex problems, mentoring teams, and shaping the future direction of AI within an organisation. Responsibilities Define and lead the organisation’s AI and Machine Learning strategy, aligning initiatives with business and product objectives. Oversee the research, development, testing, and deployment of AI and ML solutions. Identify opportunities to leverage Generative AI, Machine Learning, and intelligent automation across products, workflows, and operational processes. Gather AI-related requirements, ideas, and challenges from stakeholders and translate them into actionable initiatives and delivery plans. Lead the execution of approved AI projects, proofs of concept, prototypes, and production implementations. Evaluate emerging AI models, frameworks, and technologies, recommending appropriate solutions based on business needs and technical requirements. Explore, develop, and prototype custom and locally hosted AI models trained on proprietary datasets. Establish best practices, governance frameworks, and standards for AI development and deployment. Define guidelines for agentic AI systems and autonomous workflows. Partner closely with engineering, product, design, and leadership teams to ensure successful adoption of AI capabilities. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and AI practitioners. Educate stakeholders on AI capabilities, limitations, risks, and practical applications. Stay current with industry trends, research advancements, and emerging technologies within the AI and Machine Learning landscape. Communicate complex AI concepts and technical decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Requirements 7+ years of experience in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or related technical disciplines. 3+ years of experience in an AI Lead, AI Manager, Head of AI, Director-level, or equivalent leadership position. Proven experience leading AI/ML initiatives from concept through production deployment. Strong expertise in Machine Learning theory, algorithms, model development, and system design. Advanced proficiency in Python and experience developing production-grade AI/ML solutions. Strong experience with C++ and its application within AI, simulation, or high-performance systems. Hands-on expertise with modern Machine Learning frameworks, including: PyTorch TensorFlow Strong understanding of Generative AI technologies, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI-assisted workflows. Experience evaluating, implementing, and integrating AI solutions into real-world products and systems. Ability to assess AI technologies and communicate their strengths, weaknesses, limitations, and business applicability. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing technical strategy. Ability to balance innovation, experimentation, and practical delivery outcomes. Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for continuous learning and improvement. Experience mentoring engineers, researchers, and technical teams. Nice to Have Experience within gaming, interactive entertainment, simulation, or real-time systems environments. Experience developing or deploying agentic AI systems and autonomous workflows. Familiarity with locally hosted AI models, fine-tuning strategies, and private AI infrastructure. Experience working with reinforcement learning, NLP, computer vision, or multimodal AI systems. Exposure to MLOps, model monitoring, and AI governance frameworks. Experience integrating AI solutions into production software products at scale. Knowledge of emerging AI development tools, coding assistants, and AI-driven engineering workflows. Experience building and scaling AI teams within high-growth or innovation-focused organisations. Passion for exploring emerging AI technologies and applying them to solve meaningful business and product challenges. Benefits Fixed Shifts: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM IST (Summer) | 1:00 PM - 10:30 PM IST (Winter) No Weekend Work: Real work-life balance, not just words Day 1 Benefits: Laptop and full medical insurance provided Support That Matters: Mentorship, community, and forums where ideas are shared True Belonging: A long-term career where your contributions are valued At Smart Working, you’ll never be just another remote hire. Be a Smart Worker - valued, empowered, and part of a culture that celebrates integrity, excellence, and ambition. If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear your story.