Tupande Automation Engineering Lead (Fixed-term)

Responsibilities

Set and drive Tupande’s AI strategy, automation and engineering

• Partner with senior leadership to identify how automation, AI, engineering, and technology can accelerate Tupande’s strategic priorities and farmer impact
• Translate business needs into a clear engineering and automation roadmap aligned to the organization’s long-term vision
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, scalability, and financial sustainability
• Act as a strategic thought partner to business leaders on opportunities, trade-offs, risks, and innovation priorities

Lead the design and delivery of scalable AI, automation, and business solutions

• Ensure automation, AI, enterprise systems, integrations, and software solutions are designed to solve real business problems and deliver measurable value
• Guide solution architecture and engineering decisions to balance speed, quality, sustainability, and scalability
• Personally contribute to the design, review, prototyping, and delivery of high-priority automation, AI, integration, and software initiatives
• Conduct architecture reviews, solution reviews, and technical quality assessments to ensure solutions remain reliable, maintainable, secure, and scalable
• Establish and oversee integration standards across enterprise systems, AI platforms, automation solutions, middleware, APIs, and third-party technologies
• Ensure business systems exchange information reliably and efficiently through well-designed integration patterns and architectures
• Oversee the successful delivery, adoption, and performance of Tupande’s automation and engineering portfolio

Build and strengthen Tupande’s AI & automation engineering capability

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of ownership, innovation, and disciplined execution.
• Establish robust governance and performance standards (SOPs) to ensure consistent delivery excellence, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Build long-term technical leadership and succession pipelines by mentoring specialists in AI, automation, and integration aligned with strategic goals.

Drive organizational transformation through automation and AI

• Champion the adoption of automation, AI, and modern engineering practices across the organization
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve decision-making, reduce cost-to-serve, and enhance customer experience
• Ensure automation and AI initiatives are delivering measurable operational and business impact
• Position Tupande as a leader in the practical application of technology within agricultural operations

Provide stewardship of the AI & automation engineering portfolio

• Monitor the health, performance, value realization, and sustainability of engineering investments across the organization
• Proactively manage technical, operational, and delivery risks
• Balance immediate delivery priorities with long-term platform, capability, and organizational needs
• Ensure the engineering portfolio continues to support business growth, resilience, and future strategic ambitions

Maintain external awareness and organizational influence

• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and leading engineering practices
• Build strong partnerships across One Acre Fund and external technology ecosystems
• Represent Tupande’s engineering and automation priorities in strategic discussions and planning forums
• Continuously elevate the organization’s understanding and effective use of technology

Skillset

Knowledge

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field (Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, Information Systems) or a Bachelor’s degree with relevant certifications.
• Comprehensive understanding of how AI, automation, and software engineering drive organizational strategy and business performance.
• Expert knowledge of enterprise systems, automation platforms, digital transformation, and organizational change management.
• Deep understanding of Tupande’s operating model, customer journeys, and long-term strategic ambitions.

Technical skills

• Demonstrated expertise building and deploying production-grade AI, automation, and software solutions, including complex enterprise system integrations (APIs, middleware, third-party platforms).
• Strong solution architecture and systems-thinking, with the ability to translate strategic business priorities into scalable technical roadmaps and identify practical applications for emerging technologies.
• Proven ability to guide technical decision-making, evaluate complex trade-offs, and conduct rigorous architecture and code reviews.
• Robust portfolio management and prioritization capabilities to ensure sustained, high-impact delivery.

Other

• Proven track record in hands-on delivery of production-grade technology solutions, balancing deep engineering contribution with effective leadership and capability building.
• Strategic leader with strong commercial and operational acumen, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and driving organizational change amidst ambiguity.
• Ownership-driven mindset, accountable for delivering measurable business outcomes and passionate about leveraging technology to maximize farmer impact