Job Title

Software Research Development ManagerType: Full-TimeAbout Rapid InnovationRapid Innovation is a cutting-edge development services company specializing in building AI-powered agentic systems, digital labor solutions, and AI agents. We partner with forward-thinking clients looking to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize work, automate tasks, and enable intelligent decision-making. Our mission is to innovate the future of work—and we’re searching for a passionate Software Development Manager to help us drive that vision forward.Role OverviewWe are hiring a Software Development Manager who will own the delivery of our core Salt Lending platform project while also contributing to broader development initiatives across the company. In this hybrid role, you’ll manage a dedicated project team, define technical strategy, and foster rapid innovation by integrating AI and cutting-edge fintech practices.What You’ll Own1. Team Leadership & Platform DevelopmentManage and mentor a team of 5–10 engineers focused on the Salt Lending platform.Drive the development roadmap for new features, integrations, and platform enhancements.Ensure timely delivery of high-quality software that meets both business and regulatory requirements.Foster a collaborative engineering culture centered on innovation, quality, and continuous learning.Partner closely with Product, Risk, Compliance, and Operations teams to align technical solutions with business needs.2. Technical Strategy & ArchitectureOversee the evolution of our lending platform architecture for scalability, performance, and reliability.Enforce best-in-class security practices for handling customer crypto assets and financial data.Architect microservices, API layers, and event-driven components that integrate blockchain protocols, custodial solutions, and traditional banking systems.Implement CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure-as-Code, and observability frameworks to maintain platform stability amid rapid feature development.3. Innovation & AI IntegrationEvaluate and adopt agentic coding frameworks and AI-assisted development tools.Identify opportunities to leverage AI/ML for risk assessment, process automation, and enhanced customer experiences.Prototype AI-driven features while ensuring compliance and security controls remain intact.Stay abreast of AI/ML and fintech trends, guiding the team on the practical adoption of emerging technologies.Your BackgroundRequired Experience7+ years in software development, with at least 3 years in engineering management.Proven track record in financial services, lending, or fintech platforms.Hands-on experience building and scaling production systems that handle high-volume financial transactions.History of on-time delivery of complex software projects and successful talent recruitment and retention.Technical ExpertiseProficiency in modern languages (Java, Python, TypeScript preferred).Deep experience with distributed systems, microservices, and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure).Familiarity with databases (MongoDB, PostgreSQL), messaging systems (Kafka), and caching solutions.Solid understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD, and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, CloudFormation).Strong security mindset—especially for financial and blockchain applications.Domain KnowledgeWorking knowledge of crypto assets, blockchain technology, and smart contracts (ERC-20 focus).Understanding of custodial vs. self-custody solutions and lending mechanics (LTV, collateral, margin calls).Awareness of AML/KYC regulations and DeFi vs. centralized lending paradigms.AI & Emerging Tech UnderstandingFamiliarity with AI/ML frameworks and agentic development tools.Insight into how LLMs and AI agents can accelerate development workflows.Knowledge of AI use cases in fintech (credit scoring, fraud detection, risk modeling).What Makes You Stand OutYou’ve led engineering teams in highly regulated financial environments.You balance rapid innovation with the stability and security required for financial systems.You’re passionate about democratizing crypto and building accessible financial products.You’ve worked with real-time market data and automated decision engines.You have hands-on experience with custody solutions and securing digital assets.Key ResponsibilitiesLead sprint planning, code reviews, and architectural discussions.Define and enforce coding standards, security practices, and best-in-class development workflows.Ensure platform reliability (99.9%+ uptime) through monitoring, alerting, and incident management.Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions and timelines.Drive technical debt remediation alongside continuous delivery of new capabilities.Evaluate and integrate third-party services (custodians, KYC providers, data feeds).