Head of R&D-EMEA

We are looking for an experienced and innovative Head of R&D to join our Aviation Group in the EMEA region.

ABOUT THE AVIATION DIVISION:

Our Aviation group delivers mission-critical software solutions that empower airlines, airports, and aviation service providers to operate efficiently and safely. From maintenance planning and flight operations to compliance and resource management, our products enable customers to optimize performance, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance.

As part of a global network of specialized software companies, our aviation teams operate with entrepreneurial agility while benefiting from shared expertise, innovation, and best practices across the wider Valsoft group.

ABOUT VALSOFT CORP:

Established in Canada in 2015, Valsoft has grown to a global portfolio of 118+ companies, acquiring and developing vertical market software companies, enabling each business to deliver the best mission-critical solutions for customers in their respective industries. A key tenet of Valsoft’s philosophy is to invest in well-established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that moulds companies into leaders in their respective industries. Valsoft looks to buy, hold, and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management.

INVESTMENT APPROACH:

Unlike private equity and venture capital firms, we are Entrepreneurs who Buy, Enhance and Grow Software Businesses. That’s right; we don’t sell businesses. We form a strategic alliance with existing management teams. We recognize the dedication and perseverance required to create a firm and place a premium on customers’ and workers’ well-being over short-term goals.

CULTURE:

Valsoft is more than just a place to work; we’re a team. We mean it when we say people are our greatest assets, so investing in them is our number one priority. We create an environment where our employees feel first-day-on-the-job excitement, day after day, creating a culture of high performers and collaboration. We celebrate our milestones, and we’re proud of them. We Dream Big, Stay Humble, and Stay Hungry.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking an accomplished R&D Leader to oversee the strategic and operational direction of research and development initiatives within our Aviation software division across the EMEA region.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional engineering and product teams to drive innovation, quality, and scalability across a portfolio of aviation software solutions. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the product roadmap, optimizing R&D processes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.

This is a leadership position suited for someone who combines deep technical knowledge with strong management and communication skills — someone passionate about building the next generation of aviation software technologies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage R&D teams across multiple EMEA locations, ensuring alignment with business goals, product strategy, and engineering priorities.

• Drive innovation and technical excellence in software architecture, product delivery, and engineering execution.

• Collaborate with Product Management to define the product roadmap and long-term technology vision, ensuring engineering and product decisions are aligned.

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), and product delivery lifecycle, ensuring timelines, budgets, technical quality, and product outcomes are met.

• Establish and monitor key performance metrics (KPIs)for both engineering performance (quality, velocity, reliability) and product impact (adoption, delivery success).

• Promote best practices in agile product development, engineering workflows, testing, and release management.

• Partner with cross-functional leaders (Operations, Sales, Support, Product) to ensure seamless delivery of customer-focused product and platform solutions.

• Identify emerging technologies and trends relevant to aviation software and apply them strategically across both product and engineering.

• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field

• 8+ years of experience in software development, with at least 3 years in technical leadership or R&D management

• Proven track record of leading distributed software engineering teams

• Strong background in enterprise software development (preferably in aviation, logistics, or mission-critical systems)

• Deep understanding of cloud architectures, APIs, and modern development frameworks

• Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills

• Excellent organizational and project management abilities

• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business valu

• Fluency in English; other European languages (especially French or German) are an advantage

• Experience using AI in software development and delivering AI-first products

ADDITIONAL OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience in the aviation or aerospace software sector

• Knowledge of DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and scalable SaaS architectures

• Experience implementing Agile, Scrum, or Lean methodologies at scale

• Demonstrated success in driving innovation and delivering measurable results

Benefits

• Strategic leadership role within a growing international aviation technology division

• Opportunity to shape next-generation aviation software solutions

• Global collaboration with top-tier technical and business teams

• Competitive benefits and growth-oriented environment

• Hybrid or remote working flexibility across EMEA

Ready to join a collaborative and innovative team where you can make an immediate impact?