Tupande Automation Engineering Lead (Fixed-term)

In A Nutshell Location

On Site Nairobi, Kenya

Job Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Mid-level

Deadline to apply

September 26, 2026

Seeking an exceptional AI and automation engineering leader to build Tupande’s automation capability, lead high-impact solutions, and help scale farmer impact through hands-on engineering, business partnership, and technical leadership.

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 Apply Now Spot any inaccurate information? Have a job to share? Let us know.