Machine Learning Engineer designing and optimizing deep learning models for safety - critical environments at Destinus. Shaping the future of high - speed, autonomous flight technologies.
About the role
- Senior Director leading AI and ML initiatives for Auror to tackle retail crime. Focused on strategic, innovative solutions that enhance crime prevention and business growth.
Responsibilities
- As the Senior Director - Machine Learning and AI, you are the driving force for how Auror harnesses ML and AI to accelerate our mission of reducing retail crime.
- Define and deliver Auror’s 3 year AI & ML strategy, ensuring it strengthens customer value, business growth, and our position as the global leader in responsible AI for retail crime intelligence.
- Partner with the CPO and Mission Control to shape strategic investment in AI, bringing deep expertise and pragmatic decision-making to the table.
- Set a clear vision for how ML/AI accelerates our mission today, while scanning the horizon for what comes next, this includes new technologies, new product directions, and new opportunities for impact.
- Lead the roadmap for embedding AI into our platform in ways that drive measurable outcomes, this includes revenue growth, customer retention, competitive differentiation, and meaningful crime-prevention outcomes.
- Drive ML/AI powered product innovation, working with Product to shape future product verticals and AI enabled features.
- Oversee research and development across machine learning, generative AI, predictive modelling, computer vision, natural language processing, and emerging techniques.
- Identify and integrate new data sources, models, and AI capabilities that unlock business and customer value.
- Establish and uphold clear guardrails for responsible AI, this includes model lifecycle management, ethical AI, fairness, transparency, and privacy.
- Champion AI adoption across Auror by building organisational confidence, raising literacy, and role-modelling best practice.
- Act as a thought leader, internally and externally, on responsible AI in retail and law enforcement.
- Build strategic partnerships with research institutions, technology providers, and startups to accelerate innovation.
Requirements
- Significant experience leading AI/ML functions, with a proven track record of shaping and executing enterprise-level AI strategy.
- Demonstrated success deploying large-scale ML systems into production environments that deliver measurable business or customer value.
- Strong proficiency in modern ML techniques, frameworks, and tooling, with the ability to guide teams using Python and contemporary ML/AI stacks.
- Deep experience with cloud-based ML ecosystems and MLOps practices, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
- A builder at heart, you grow systems, strategies, and high-performing teams, with a record of leading and scaling Data Science or ML organisations.
- You balance speed and pragmatism, helping teams move from “why not” to “how might we.” and making experimentation feel safe and purposeful.
- You anticipate emerging AI trends and position Auror to leverage them responsibly and commercially.
- You’re an excellent communicator who is able to influence across teams, engage the ELT, and contribute confidently at Board level, helping leaders and teams see what’s possible with AI while keeping a clear line of sight to practical outcomes.
- You are confident as the expert voice in the room, able to challenge assumptions and guide leaders toward practical, impactful AI adoption.
- You see leadership as a multiplier, you grow leaders who can operate strategically and execute with excellence, and grow the next generation of AI talent.
- You view AI as a strategic differentiator, and you know how to turn cutting edge science into real customer and business value.
Benefits
- Competitive salary Range: Depending on level of experience of NZD$200,000 - $270,000 (PL5 / PL6)
- Annual bonus: discretionary bonus based on company revenue targets
- Employee share scheme: You’ll own part of a company making a real difference!
- Flexibility: We are hard-working and outcome focused, but recognise there is more to life than work. We promote a healthy work/life blend.
- Shorter work weeks (at full pay): Everyone gets Friday afternoons off, so you can start your weekend early, and do more of whatever it is that makes you happy.
- Focus on mental and physical health: We understand how vital our health is and have policies to support your wellness, including: Wellness Days, and up to three expert sessions paid for every year.
- Family-friendly: We offer comprehensive paid parental leave - 12 weeks for birth parents and 6 weeks for non-birth parents following birth, adoption, or surrogacy, available to all Aurors from day one.
- Personal growth: We support our team to participate in courses, conferences, or events that will help them develop their skills.
- Team love: We have regular team lunches and social events where most (if not all) activities are during work hours.
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