• Own the application engineering strategy and execution across backend, mobile, and desktop. • Lead and grow a small, senior applications team, including backend, mobile, and desktop engineers. • Set the architectural direction for AI-powered product workflows, APIs, and client integrations. • Ensure AI capabilities are integrated into the product with clear abstractions, predictable behavior, and graceful failure modes. • Partner closely with Machine Learning leadership to translate model capability into shippable product features. • Make high-impact decisions across latency, cost, reliability, security, and user experience. • Establish a strong execution culture through code reviews, design reviews, and hands-on technical leadership. • Ensure production readiness: observability, monitoring, retries, fallbacks, privacy, and cost controls. • Balance speed and discipline – shipping quickly without compromising long-term system quality.