[Remote] Technical Director - ML & Algorithms

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Rocket Software, a leading provider of enterprise modernization software, is expanding its AI strategy in support of its vision of Modernization Without Disruption. The Technical Director for Machine Learning & Algorithms will define and drive how large-scale ML systems and advanced algorithms are applied to mainframe operational data to deliver monitoring, analysis, optimization, risk detection, and modernization insights.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead Rocket’s machine learning and algorithmic strategy across Infra, App and Data modernization business lines
• Extend that strategy across Rocket’s enterprise analytics platforms, including in-database and embedded ML capabilities, to ensure architectural consistency and reuse
• Act as a hands-on technical leader working with product and engineering teams throughout the full feature lifecycle, from problem framing and model selection to validation, delivery, and operationalization
• Architect large-scale ML and data processing systems that operate on high-volume operational data, including z/OS telemetry, SMF/RMF records, logs, workload metrics, and enterprise analytics datasets
• Design and implement advanced algorithms and statistical models for anomaly detection, pattern analysis, forecasting, optimization, classification, and modernization insights
• Guide the use and evolution of in-database ML and analytics capabilities, including regression, classification, clustering, and time-series techniques, ensuring they are applied correctly, efficiently, and at scale
• Establish ML architectures, technical standards, and best practices that span feature engineering, model training, evaluation, explainability, deployment, and lifecycle management
• Ensure ML-driven insights are explainable, inspectable, and aligned with governance and compliance expectations, particularly in regulated and mission-critical environments
• Collaborate closely with domain experts in mainframe operations, performance, security, and data platforms to translate deep system knowledge into scalable, data-driven intelligence
• Lead across reporting boundaries by influence and technical credibility rather than hierarchy, helping teams solve complex problems at all stages of feature development and delivery
• Partner with Product and Architecture leadership to shape long-term strategy for operational analytics, AI-assisted modernization, and analytics platform evolution
• Engage with enterprise customers to understand real-world operational and analytical constraints and validate ML-driven solutions
• Mentor Principal Engineers and senior technical staff, raising the bar for ML rigor, systems thinking, and operational relevance across Rocket
• Contribute internal and external thought leadership on applied ML for mainframe operations, enterprise analytics, and responsible AI

Skills

• 12+ years of experience in software engineering, ML systems, or advanced algorithm development
• Proven experience owning and delivering ML or algorithmic systems into production at scale
• Strong background in large datasets, distributed processing, and end-to-end ML system design
• Solid coding skills in Python and Java, with foundations in optimization, statistics, and applied mathematics
• Experience building ML or analytics solutions tied to system behavior, performance, observability, or operational telemetry
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively across teams and organizations through technical leadership and influence
• Track record of mentoring senior technical talent and working as a player-coach
• Strong experience with mainframe systems and data sources such as z/OS, SMF, RMF, Db2, RACF, or mainframe performance analytics
• Experience with analytics databases or in-database ML systems, including model training, evaluation, and execution close to data
• Familiarity with regression, classification, clustering, and time-series techniques used in production analytics systems
• Experience designing explainable, auditable, or compliance-aware ML solutions
• Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks or ML platforms such as Spark, Flink, Ray, or cloud ML pipelines
• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Publications, patents, or conference contributions in ML, algorithms, systems analytics, or operational monitoring

Benefits

• Unlimited Vacation Time as well as paid holidays and sick time
• Health and Wellness coverage options for Rocketeers and dependents
• Life and disability coverage
• Fidelity 401(k) and Roth Retirement Savings with matching contributions
• Monthly student debt benefit program
• Tuition Reimbursement and Certificate Reimbursement Program opportunities
• Leadership and skills training opportunities

Company Overview

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