Lead and grow the engineering team, architect the core AI platform, manage data infrastructure, and drive best practices in software development.
UP.Labs is hiring a hands-on Head of Engineering for a stealth startup building an AI-powered aftermarket OS for OEMs. We’re creating a platform that combines specialized vertical AI, predictive analytics, and real-time optimization to help manufacturers and distributors place the right parts in the right place at the right time - eliminating costly downtime and lost revenue.
As the first engineering leader, you’ll own architecture, data infrastructure, and team building for a platform that brings together demand forecasting, network optimization, pricing intelligence, and fulfillment orchestration. You’ll remain hands-on early, build the technical foundation from scratch, and set the long-term technical direction as we scale.
You’ll also have access to the UP.Partners ecosystem - a world-class team across product, engineering, design, analytics, marketing, legal, talent, finance, and venture capital to help accelerate execution.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and grow the engineering team, balancing hands-on development with strategic leadership.
- Architect and own the core platform, including data pipelines, AI/ML integration layers, and scalable cloud infrastructure.
- Build robust integrations with OEM ERP/DMS systems to ingest and operationalize complex parts, inventory, and pricing data.
- Partner with Product and Data Science to translate messy real-world aftermarket workflows into intelligent, automated systems.
- Drive best practices around security, CI/CD, observability, testing, and documentation.
- Establish the technical vision for AI-driven demand forecasting, predictive placement, and closed-loop execution.
- Manage and mentor distributed contributors (including nearshore/offshore teams) to build a high-performance engineering culture.
- Deliver quick MVP iterations while laying the foundation for enterprise scale.
Who you are:
- A technical leader who thrives at the intersection of AI, data, and enterprise SaaS.
- Hands-on and detail-oriented, comfortable writing code, reviewing PRs, and guiding architecture.
- Skilled at integrating complex enterprise data systems (ERP/DMS, supply chain, pricing engines).
- Experienced building products that combine data infrastructure with applied machine learning.
- A collaborative partner who can work closely with product, data science, and business stakeholders.
- Capable of thriving in ambiguous, high-growth startup environments and scaling teams from 0→1 and beyond.
You should have:
- 8+ years in software engineering, including 4+ years leading small, high-output teams.
- Strong backend or full-stack background and ability to remain hands-on.
- Proven experience scaling B2B SaaS platforms with real-time data pipelines and system integrations.
- Expertise in cloud architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and distributed systems.
- Experience working with AI/ML platforms (e.g., predictive models, optimization engines, LLM copilots).
- Familiarity with ERP/CRM/DMS integrations -SAP experience is a plus.
- Experience leading or managing distributed teams (nearshore/offshore).
- Knowledge of supply chain, aftermarket, or manufacturing systems (nice-to-have).
Why Join Us:
- Build and lead the engineering organization for a high-growth AI startup from day one.
- Shape a category-defining platform at the intersection of aftermarket logistics, predictive AI, and enterprise SaaS.
- Collaborate with UP.Labs, OEM partners, and investors to drive real impact in a $20–30B+ market.
- Earn meaningful equity in a company positioned to transform how OEMs generate and protect revenue.
About UP.Labs:
We build high-growth technology startups that enable faster, cleaner, and safer movement of people and goods. Our platform is unique in three ways:
- Risk: We reward our entire team and ecosystem of partners with meaningful equity.
- Technology: We build and launch scalable technology products that form the basis for each venture.
- Industry Focus: We stay focused on the underlying fabric of retail mobility.
We work with corporate investors over a multi-year period to launch a portfolio of ventures. Our team is dedicated to the first year of a new venture’s life cycle: from ideation to MVP build - and beyond.
Top Skills
AI
Ci/Cd
Cloud Infrastructure
Data Pipelines
Erp/Dms Systems
Machine Learning
Predictive Analytics
Software Engineering
UP.Labs Santa Monica, California, USA Office
3100 Donald Douglas Loop N, Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
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