Machine Learning Engineering Manager
Zendesk
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Lisbon • 🇵🇹 Portugal
Visit company websiteJob Level
Mid-LevelSenior
About the role
- Lead a high-performing team of AI/ML platform engineers to deliver the core infrastructure powering LLM-based applications.
- Own the design, rollout, and optimization of Zendesk’s LLM Proxy, enabling safe, observable, and cost-efficient access to multiple foundation models.
- Collaborate with existing ML/AI leadership to continually improve software delivery and service reliability.
- Partner with applied ML, product, and infrastructure teams to align platform investments with AI roadmap priorities.
- Establish strong engineering practices around observability, reliability, security, and cost monitoring.
- Foster a team culture that emphasizes mentorship, inclusion, and technical excellence.
Requirements
- Proven experience managing high-performing engineering teams in the ML/AI or infrastructure space.
- Deep understanding of LLM systems, GenAI applications, or ML/AI platform components such as vector databases, serving layers, and orchestration tools.
- Experience owning the full lifecycle of ML/AI platform components—from early design to production deployment.
- Strong communication skills and an ability to influence technical direction across teams and partners.
- A pragmatic mindset: you balance innovation with scalability and performance in enterprise environments.
- A dedication to continual self-development.
- Collaborative, upbeat work ethic where you can take ownership and have fun.
Benefits
- Full ownership of the projects you work on.
- Team of passionate people who love what they do.
- Exciting projects, ability to implement your own ideas and improvements.
- Opportunity to learn and grow.
- Flexible working hours.
- Professional development funds.
- Comfortable office and a remote setup.
- Choice of your laptop and other equipment.
- Premium Medical Insurance as well as Private Life Assurance.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
AIMLLLM systemsGenAI applicationsvector databasesserving layersorchestration toolssoftware deliveryservice reliabilityproduction deployment
Soft skills
leadershipcommunicationmentorshipinclusiontechnical excellencecollaborationownershippragmatic mindsetupbeat work ethicself-development