At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the ML platform and infrastructure group, driving innovation in AI technology.
- Company: Join Odyssey, an AI lab revolutionising industries with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup culture with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI and work alongside top talent from leading tech companies.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering with expertise in ML systems and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 168750 - 206250 £ per year.
Odyssey is an AI lab pioneering general world models: causal, multimodal systems that learn to predict and interact with the world over long horizons. This foundational technology promises to revolutionise robotics, science, healthcare, education, gaming, defence, and beyond. Odyssey’s founders previously pioneered the most complex application of physical AI: self-driving cars. They’ve now brought together a world‑class research team from DeepMind, Tesla, Waymo, Meta, Apple, and Wayve, who have made significant contributions to language models (DeepMind Gemini), video models (DeepMind Veo), world models (Wayve GAIA), and autonomous systems (Tesla FSD). Odyssey has raised significant venture capital from GV, Amazon, AMD, EQT, NVIDIA, Natural Capital, In‑Q‑Tel, Elad Gil, Jeff Dean, Guillermo Rauch, Garry Tan, Kyle Vogt, and researchers from OpenAI, DeepMind, MSL, Recursive, and Thinking Machines.
What we're looking for:
- You’ll lead our ML platform and infrastructure group, spanning our data platform, evaluation systems and tooling, and compute.
- This leader will serve as a trusted partner to the founders and stakeholders across product and technology, and will report directly to our CTO and co‑founder.
What you’ll do:
- Own the roadmap and vision for the ML platform across data, evaluation, and compute topics. This consists of software systems, tooling, and infrastructure.
- Build and scale the engineering group, across multiple teams and locations.
- Partner closely with the Research team, Applied ML team, and other technical leaders so platform work stays tied to research velocity.
- Make the prioritisation calls between researchers, leadership and product.
- Stay close enough to the technical details to drive product vision and get hands on with the code when needed.
Who you are:
- 10+ years of engineering experience with deep expertise in data, evaluation, and compute infrastructure.
- You’ve worked in an ML systems org and know first‑hand what slows ML development down.
- You’ve led engineering groups of 20 or more across multiple teams and locations.
- Based in Palo Alto or London, in office 3+ days a week, ideally full time.
- Energised by working in a fast‑paced startup environment and by the company, the mission and platform.
VP, Engineering employer: Odyssey
Odyssey is an exceptional employer for those passionate about advancing AI technology, particularly in the realm of machine learning and real-time world models. With a culture that fosters innovation and collaboration, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their projects while benefiting from the expertise of a world-class team. Located in a vibrant tech hub, Odyssey offers unique opportunities for professional growth and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking advancements that will shape the future across various industries.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Engineering
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Odyssey or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Odyssey.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Odyssey.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Odyssey that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Odyssey.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Odyssey and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Odyssey
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Odyssey uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
