Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
Algorithm leadership roles are increasingly central in SaaS as product differentiation shifts toward data advantage and applied AI. This Director of Algorithm position stands out because it sits at the intersection of research-grade machine learning and product delivery, with a mandate to guide production-ready ML systems and align an AI roadmap with business strategy. The company context signals a scaling, multi-site startup environment where algorithm work is embedded in product pods rather than isolated in a research group.
From a SaaS career standpoint, the role offers durable experience in turning models into reliable capabilities: low-latency, robust systems; data pipelines that improve over time; and decision-making around build-vs-buy and open-source vs proprietary approaches. Leading an AI function that influences roadmap planning also builds the executive communication and prioritization skills that become critical as SaaS organizations operationalize AI across multiple product lines.
This role is best suited to a senior ML leader who prefers accountability for outcomes over experimentation alone, and who can switch between hands-on technical problem solving and organizational leadership. It will fit someone comfortable partnering with product and engineering leaders, mentoring experienced specialists, and setting standards for how AI work is evaluated, shipped, and maintained in production.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Director of Algorithm
- Engineering
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- 6 - Principal / Director
- Full-time
- ID: 0091
Description
Who We Are:
The 4M story is likely one you haven’t heard before: We are on a mission to unlock access to the world below us, to do for the world below ground what Google Maps did for the world above. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we are mapping the subsurface infrastructure to make reliable, real-time utility data accessible to the construction industry - completely transforming a traditional industry. We’re a growing startup with 100 employees currently based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Austin, Texas.
Role Overview
We are seeking a visionary Director of Algorithm to join our leadership team and report to the VP of R&D. This is a high-impact strategic role for a leader who combines deep expertise in machine learning and advanced AI with a proven track record of turning innovation into measurable business results.
As Director of AI, you will lead and expand a group of algorithm engineers embedded in Product pods, play a pivotal role in roadmap planning, and balance cutting-edge research with practical productization. You will drive cross-organizational initiatives that elevate our products and operations, defend our competitive moat, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
Team & Talent Leadership
- Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of algorithm engineers, fostering technical excellence and career growth.
- Scale the AI team through hiring, skill development, and cultivating a strong data science culture.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration, execution, knowledge sharing, and experimentation.
- Attract senior AI talent to build strong teams.
AI Roadmap & Innovation
- Execute the AI roadmap, aligned with the company strategy and product vision.
- Introduce state-of-the-art techniques to solve complex challenges.
- Drive initiatives that push the boundaries of what’s possible, turning AI into a measurable business differentiator.
Technical Leadership
- Personally led the resolution of the most complex AI/ML challenges.
- Architect and guide the implementation of production-ready ML systems, ensuring robustness, accuracy, and low latency.
- Maintain a strong applied research perspective while delivering practical, business-impacting solutions.
Defending & Expanding Our Moat
- Keep us ahead of industry shifts by monitoring emerging technologies and evaluating competitive threats.
- Build defensible AI assets - unique data pipelines, proprietary models, domain-specific enhancements - that are hard to replicate.
- Shape intellectual property (publications, patents, methodologies) that strengthens our positioning.
Requirements
- 10+ years of professional experience in AI/ML and data science with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
- Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
- Proven success leading data science / AI teams in production environments.
- Strong grounding in ML/DL, model architectures, and data pipelines.
- Track record of translating research into scalable production systems with measurable business impact.
- Practical trade-off mindset - build vs. buy, open-source vs. proprietary, etc.
- Excellent communication skills - capable of influencing executives, mentoring engineers, and educating non-technical stakeholders.
- Passion for continuous learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
