Head of Research & Development
- Barcelona
- Permanente
- Tiempo completo
- Lead, inspire, and enable the R&D team to deliver world-class results.
- Collaborate at a deep technical level when required, shaping architecture and solution design.
- Act as the owner of the R&D function, interfacing closely with the wider engineering organisation and the executive team to align research initiatives with business priorities.
- Shape the vision for the R&D team in alignment with Sparta’s overall mission, ensuring both inspire and reinforce each other.
- Define and drive strategy that keeps Sparta’s platform AI-first and ahead of the curve in innovation.
- Balance research and application, ensuring the right mix of foundational exploration and applied development so that discoveries are successfully translated into products and features that deliver meaningful customer impact—while staying true to the vision and strategic guardrails.
- Lead the team with purpose:
- Set the pace and standards for excellence.
- Take accountability for outcomes and deliverables.
- Keep the team working at the forefront of AI research and application.
- Lead from the front—contribute as an individual contributor when necessary.
- Empower rather than control, fostering autonomy and ownership.
- Own the R&D function, collaborating closely with the executive team, engineering leadership, and other key stakeholders to maximise the impact of research initiatives.
- Strong technical foundation – at least 7 years’ experience as a hands-on software engineer in technical teams.
- Proven technical leadership – at least 2 years leading engineering teams, with a track record of delivering impactful results.
- Strong people skills – able to inspire, motivate, and align teams toward a shared vision.
- Depth and breadth in machine learning – hands-on experience across multiple ML domains, including work with state-of-the-art approaches and technologies; able to go deep when required.
- Expert problem solver – thrives in ambiguity, seeks out complex challenges, and finds creative, practical solutions.
- Research background – relevant PhD or equivalent qualification in a related field.
- Industry expertise – domain knowledge in commodity trading or related markets.
- Equity in a high-growth, VC-backed company
- $42M in Series B funding—strong market traction and investment
- Early-stage growth—build your career as we scale
- Market-leading product—we are redefining energy trading intelligence
- Top-tier tools and technology to support your success
- Ask for forgiveness, not permission: We are building a category-defining company, and that requires speed, boldness, and ownership. If you see something that needs doing, do it. Don’t wait. Own it. If it goes wrong, learn fast and fix it. Celebrate initiative. Mistakes are feedback, not failure.
- Discomfort is where growth happens: Growth doesn’t come from playing it safe. It comes from stretching beyond what you already know. Embrace change, seek new challenges, push your boundaries. We reward those who are brave enough to try, fail, and learn.
- Stay hungry, ditch the ego: Spartans are ambitious - but for the mission, not for the politics. Leave your ego at the door. Titles don’t matter. Results do. Focus on what drives real outcomes, not what makes you look good. Ambition fuels progress, and humility keeps us grounded.
- Fall in love with the problem: We exist to solve real customer problems - not to push our ideas. Always start with their needs, not our assumptions. Everything else is noise.
- Challenge openly, support fully: We grow through truth, not silence. Feedback is a gift - but only when it’s shared with courage and care. Radical candour builds trust. We embrace diverse debate, but once a decision is made, we align and wholeheartedly commit.