Director, OEM Engineering and Strategy

We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to become the trusted Data & AI Platform for everyone, leveraging the most popular open-source technologies like Apache Kafka®, Aiven for PostgreSQL®, Aiven for Clickhouse®, and Aiven for OpenSearch®. to help companies accelerate time-to-market, drive efficiency, and build innovative solutions across any cloud.

Who we are:

So, how do we become the trusted open-source data platform for everyone? By listening closely to our customers and taking action to ensure they achieve their business goals. You see, the software we create is merely a means of delivering value. Our thinking is customer-first. That’s why our customers are at the front and center of all we do. And in the spirit of sideways thinking, we’re by their side as well. Actively helping them solve their challenges. Collaborating. Sharing. And innovating. In other words, it really isn’t just about who we are. It’s about who our customers are – and where they want to be.

Our Crabby Principles:

Aiveners use the V2MOM framework to set and align on business goals. In order to achieve those business goals we live by our ‘Crabby Principles’ which unite us in our ways of working, globally.

These principles are embedded in our business processes and support us in collaborating and role modelling positive and productive behaviours in our daily work, something you will have the opportunity to demonstrate throughout your interview journey with us.

The Role:

We're seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to fill the pivotal role of Director, OEM Engineering & Strategy. This is a customer-facing, hybrid position requiring a unique blend of technical mastery, strategic vision, and business acumen to drive the success of our platform within the OEM landscape.

You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to position our platform as the leading DBaaS solution for cloud and service providers, driving exponential revenue growth through strategic partnerships and engineering excellence.

What You’ll Do:

Business Development

• Market analysis & opportunity identification: Work with the domain leader to conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and untapped opportunities within the cloud provider and service provider OEM market.
• Opportunity problem validation: Engage with potential OEM partners to deeply understand their needs, challenges, and desired outcomes. Validate that the proposed solutions effectively address their real needs and provide tangible value.
• Sustainable business value assessment: Continuously evaluate potential and existing OEM partnerships to maximize long-term business value and exponential revenue growth. Prioritize scalable opportunities and optimize or phase out those with diminishing returns.
• Value proposition & competitive analysis: Develop a deep understanding of the platform's market value, articulating its unique selling propositions and conducting thorough competitive analysis.
  
  

Product Strategy & Execution

• Strategic roadmap development: Define and execute a comprehensive OEM product strategy, aligning with business objectives and market demands.
• Technical vision & communication: Translate strategic vision into actionable technical plans, effectively communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Product domain collaboration: Collaborate closely with product domain heads and directors to prioritize OEM requirements within service development roadmaps.
• Engineering prioritization: Guide the engineering team in making informed priority decisions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Technical debt management: Understand and address technical debt, assessing its impact on product development and prioritizing remediation efforts.
  
  

Engineering Leadership & Delivery

• Technical excellence & innovation: Leverage software development expertise to drive technical excellence and foster a culture of innovation within the engineering team.
• Engineering practice alignment: Connect and collaborate with the broader engineering organization, including product domains and TSS, to ensure adherence to common engineering practices, release management processes, and operator duties. This includes fostering knowledge sharing, promoting best practices, and ensuring consistency across the organization.
• Talent acquisition & team development: Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and development of top engineering talent.
• Team management: Manage the team of OEM partner solution architects, delivery managers and engineers
  
  

Our Offer:

If you ask us what’s the best thing about working for Aiven, many will probably say it’s the high concentration of talent from around the world that we have here. Enjoy the agile environment of a hyperscale scale-up where you can truly make an impact and have fun while at it.

We invest in you:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• With Aiven locations spanning the globe, we want all of our crabs to find the right balance with our hybrid work policy.
• Get the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Step up your career game with real employer support (use one of our learning platforms, annual learning budget, and more).
• Get holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
  
  

Make a Difference at Aiven:

• Contribute to open-source projects that you find meaningful outside of work - and get paid for it! Our Plankton program recognizes extra work to the open-source ecosystem for developers and non-developers alike.
• Use up to 5 days per year to volunteer for a good cause of your choice.
• Join one of our team member resource groups - empower yourself and others in missions that resonate with you.
  
  

What else:

• Your wellbeing matters: we provide extensive Occupational Health Care, Dental Care, as well as sports, culture, massage and lunch benefits
• Love breakfast? So do we! Join us at our regular office breakfast
• We also have you covered by statutory accident insurance
  
  

Amazing! What’s next:

Once you apply, you should hear from our Talent Experience team within five days regarding the status of your application. If you are selected to move forward you can generally expect four stages with us:

• 45- to 60-minute call with one of our Talent Partners
• 45- to 60-minute Depth of Expertise Interview with the hiring manager
• 60-minute Skills interview and/or presentation with the wider team
• 60-minute Crabby Principles interview
  
  

How to Recognise and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. Please familiarise yourself with the red flags of a potential scam.

Here at Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted over video call or in person, our interviews will never occur over text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

We're a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to become the trusted Data & AI Platform for everyone, leveraging the most popular open-source technologies like Apache Kafka®, Aiven for PostgreSQL®, Aiven for Clickhouse®, and Aiven for OpenSearch® to help companies accelerate time-to-market, drive efficiency, and build innovative solutions across any cloud.