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Director Applied Systems Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Director, Applied Machine Learning

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250 - $350/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Role As Director of Applied ML, you'll lead the function that sits at the intersection of ... Technical depth in applied AI systems design and model post‑training (GRPO/PPO, SFT, or similar ...

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Director, Applied Machine Learning

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$375K - $400K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About the Role As Director of Applied ML, you'll lead the function that sits at the intersection of ... Technical depth in applied AI systems design and model post-training (GRPO/PPO, SFT, or similar ...

Sky Mavis

Senior Director, Applied AI

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

... minded Senior Director, Applied AI to build the agentic workflows that power Redesign's most ... You will design and ship AI systems to unlock one of the world's densest and highest-impact ...

Walmart

Group Director, Software Engineering - Applied AI

Hayward, CA · On-site

$254K - $481K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the Group Director, Applied AI & Engineering you will lead an elite, high-caliber applied AI and ... It develops and manages shared platforms, intelligence, and decision systems that enhance customer ...

Walmart

Group Director, Software Engineering - Applied AI

Fremont, CA · On-site

$254K - $481K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the Group Director, Applied AI & Engineering you will lead an elite, high-caliber applied AI and ... It develops and manages shared platforms, intelligence, and decision systems that enhance customer ...

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Director Applied Systems information

What does a director of applied systems do?

A Director of Applied Systems oversees the development, implementation, and optimization of technology systems that support business operations. This role typically involves leading teams of engineers and analysts to design and manage software and hardware solutions tailored to an organization’s needs. The director collaborates with other departments to ensure technology strategies align with business goals, while also managing budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships. They play a key role in driving innovation, improving system efficiency, and ensuring the security and reliability of critical applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of applied systems?

To succeed as a Director of Applied Systems, you need expertise in systems engineering, project management, and a strong background in computer science or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with enterprise software platforms, cloud technologies, and certifications like PMP or ITIL are typically required. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills set top candidates apart in guiding cross-functional teams and managing complex projects. These capabilities ensure that organizational systems are effectively designed, integrated, and aligned with business objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of applied systems when leading cross-functional teams?

A Director of Applied Systems often navigates the complexities of aligning diverse technical and business teams toward shared project goals. Common challenges include managing competing priorities, ensuring clear communication between departments, and integrating new technologies with existing systems. Success in this role requires strong leadership, the ability to mediate between stakeholders, and adaptability to evolving project requirements. Building trust and fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams are essential for driving innovation and achieving organizational objectives.

What is the difference between Director Applied Systems vs Software Development Manager?

AspectDirector Applied SystemsSoftware Development Manager
Primary FocusOversees applied systems projects, implementation, and integration within an organizationManages software development teams, project timelines, and coding processes
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in IT, computer science, or related field; certifications like PMP or systems-specific certifications are commonLikewise requires a degree in computer science or related field; certifications like Scrum Master or PMP are often preferred
Work EnvironmentCorporate or enterprise settings focusing on systems integration and operational efficiencyDevelopment teams, tech companies, or IT departments focusing on software creation and delivery

While both roles involve technology management, the Director Applied Systems focuses on implementing and managing applied systems within an organization, whereas the Software Development Manager concentrates on leading software development teams to create new software solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Applied Systems jobs in California?

The most popular types of Applied Systems jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Applied Systems jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Applied Systems job openings:

Director Applied Systems jobs near you

Director, Applied Machine Learning

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San Francisco, CA • On-site

$250 - $350/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About the Role

As Director of Applied ML, you'll lead the function that sits at the intersection of frontier AI research and enterprise-scale delivery. You'll own three core pillars: post-training and RL environments, scaled post-training infrastructure, and strategic project support across our lab partnerships. You think like an applied researcher, lead like an operator, and move fluidly between technical depth and client‑facing strategy.

You'll build and grow a team, set the technical standards for how the team engages with frontier labs, and help shape the roadmap as we scale, not just execute against it. This is a rare opportunity to lead at the frontier of gen AI, with direct visibility into where model training is headed before the rest of the world sees it.

Location: San Francisco, CA | Hybrid, 3x a week in office

What you’ll do
  • Lead post‑training and RL environment strategy — you don't need to be the deepest technical expert, but your team needs to be able to lean on you for real guidance grounded in lab experience
  • Build and scale the infrastructure and team needed to run post‑training at scale across multiple applied use cases
  • Own strategic project support across lab engagements — leading your team through a dynamic, evolving roadmap rather than executing the work solo
  • Manage and grow a team including AI Engineers, Research Scientists and AI Forward Deployed Engineers, with a path toward managing managers as the org scales
  • Partner directly with AI lab researchers and internal stakeholders across engineering and operations, translating ambiguous priorities into clear direction for your team
  • Maintain direct customer relationships, following up, communicating progress, and building trust with technical partners
  • Bring organizational maturity to a fast‑growing team: solve today's problems with today's resources while planning several steps ahead
  • Stay current on the frontier: RL, post‑training, and evaluation methods, bringing relevant insight into both team strategy and customer conversations
What we’re looking for
  • Experience leading and growing technical teams, ideally with a research background in applied ML or AI
  • Technical depth in applied AI systems design and model post‑training (GRPO/PPO, SFT, or similar) enough to support a research‑leaning team, though you don't need to have trained frontier models yourself
  • Experience building and scaling teams or infrastructure in an applied, production environment
  • Strong cross‑functional leadership, comfortable working across engineering and operations, and managing shifting timelines with a team in tow
  • Excellent client‑facing communication skills — you can translate technical work into business impact and hold your own with both researchers and customers
  • Organizational maturity and comfort with ambiguity — you'll need to be creative in solving problems as they arrive
Extra Credit
  • Prior lab experience deploying or training agents for applied, real‑world use cases
  • Experience managing managers or scaling a team through multiple growth stages
  • Familiarity with evaluation frameworks, annotation tooling, or human feedback collection at scale
Perks
  • Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
  • Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
  • Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
  • Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend
  • Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development
  • Office: Commuting support, free lunch, and gym in our SF office
  • Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
  • Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses
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