- Job Opportunity: R&D Director (Core Technologies & AI)
- Location: Kraków, Poland (hybrid + remote within EU)
- Employment type: Full-time, permanent
- Salary: 35 000 – 50 000 PLN on UoP
About the Opportunity
Our client is a fast-growing software company building tools in the document, PDF, and image-processing space. They are creating a new senior leadership position — an R&D Director — to shape and drive their Core Technologies division, unify their technical architecture, and accelerate innovation across product lines. This is a strategic hire: someone who can lead from the front, balancing operational delivery with long-term vision.
What They Need You To Do
As the R&D Director, your mission will include:
- Taking ownership of the technical architecture for all PDF / document-handling products, with a priority on developing a modular, unbranded PDF application.
- Reducing dependency on external tools (e.g. third-party PDF converters / vendors) by bringing more capabilities in-house.
- Defining and executing an AI strategy: improving AI-driven OCR, integrating AI-generated code (target ~10%), developing pipelines and pilot projects.
- Improving image processing algorithms and reviving key product areas such as photo studios (web & desktop).
- Building and scaling the QA function, especially test automation, while maintaining manual QA for visual/document layout fidelity.
- Leading and growing a distributed engineering team (in Poland, Ukraine, remote EU), cultivating leadership and autonomy in sub-teams.
- Working in partnership with Product teams to ensure that Core Technologies are aligned to product roadmaps and market needs.
What They Expect From You
You are a strong candidate if you have:
- Deep technical experience in architecting scalable applications, preferably with document / PDF technology, image processing or office suite components.
- Strong leadership and communication skills — able to explain technical trade-offs clearly, convince stakeholders (technical and non-technical), mentor others, and cultivate an inclusive team culture.
- Experience working in product companies (especially B2C), international teams, and products used in multiple markets.
- A mindset for quality, performance and maintainability: you question “how it works”, not just “that it works”.
- Ability to balance operational urgency with strategic thinking: first year is likely ~70-80% operations, ~20-30% strategy.
- Autonomy: able to make decisions, drive change, take ownership, and operate without micromanagement.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive salary in the range of 35,000-50,000 PLN/month, depending on experience and fit.
- Additional benefits including annual bonus, and participation in a 50% KUP tax program (which effectively increases net compensation).
- Permanent contract (employment); no B2B / freelance option.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements; exposure to remote team collaboration and global product initiatives.
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to join at a transformational moment: our client is investing heavily in AI, modular architecture, and bringing control over core technologies in-house. You will be instrumental in reducing vendor risk, defining the future path of multiple product lines, and setting the foundation for long-term innovation.
