AI R&D & Effectiveness Lead

What you'll do

• Own the evaluation process for every AI initiative and apply a Build vs Buy ROI Decision Framework before coding
• Produce rigorous ROI analyses for AI investments, track outcomes, and iterate
• Maintain build vs buy evaluation across core platforms (Salesforce, Slack, PowerBI, Notion, Hibob, Saleshood)
• Work alongside SVP to stress-test AI investment recommendations before presenting to stakeholders
• Design and build AI agents, webhook integrations, MCP connections, and agentic workflows to production standards
• Apply security-first and efficiency-first principles in all builds
• Produce clean, well-documented, maintainable solutions, not black-box prototypes
• Own technical handover to Enablement Lead for operational use
• Maintain AI capability matrix with approved models and tools and documented rationale
• Continuously benchmark new AI capabilities against Smadex’s actual use cases
• Track model and tool end-of-life proactively and recommend transitions
• Prevent team from using outdated or cost-inefficient models
• Lead forward-looking R&D: horizon scanning, prototyping, translating emerging AI capabilities into relevant proofs of concept
• Lead structured innovation initiatives such as hackathons and rapid prototyping sprints cross-functionally
• Brief team and Enablement Lead on upcoming AI landscape relevant to commercial and operational context

Requirements

• 4–7 years of experience in AI engineering, solutions architecture, technical product, or a similar hands-on builder role
• Production AI build experience: agents, automations, API integrations, or agentic workflows shipped to a real production environment - not just prototypes
• Security and efficiency mindset: designs for least privilege, observable outputs, and maintainability from the start
• Strong analytical capability: able to construct an ROI framework, quantify trade-offs, and communicate a build recommendation clearly to non-technical stakeholders
• Familiarity with the business SaaS ecosystem: Salesforce, Slack, Notion, or similar - and how AI layers onto commercial and operational workflows
• Bonus: Experience with MCP architecture, webhook design, or agentic workflow patterns
• Bonus: Background in adtech, DSP, or programmatic - domain fluency shortens the calibration period
• Bonus: Exposure to AWS Bedrock or equivalent managed AI services
• Portfolio of shipped AI-powered projects preferred over certifications
• Legal permit to work in Spain (no visa sponsorship provided)

Tech stack

Benefits