Data & AI V&V Leader

Req ID: 528338

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, more than 80 000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

Purpose of the Job

Lead the Data & AI Verification & Validation (V&V) function to ensure all Data & AI solutions delivered by the organization are reliable, secure, scalable, and compliant with Alstom engineering and quality standards.

The Data & AI V&V Leader is accountable for defining and deploying the V&V strategy, governance, methodologies, tools, and organization across the complete Data & AI governance scope.

The role works closely with Agile squads to embed quality engineering practices throughout the software development lifecycle, promoting a quality built-in culture rather than end-of-cycle validation.

As the Software Quality Engineering leader within the Data & AI Governance organization, the Data & AI V&V Leader ensures every Agile squad delivers production-ready, secure, and reliable solutions while continuously improving engineering excellence.

The mission starts with a comprehensive assessment of the current V&V maturity and continues through the execution of a transformation roadmap including best practice deployment, organizational evolution, and staffing plan execution.

Organization

Organization: Digital Services / Data & AI Governance

Reports to: Data & AI Performance Director

Direct Reports:

• Data & AI V&V Engineers
• Data & AI V&V Architects
  
  

Key Stakeholders

Internal

• Product Owners / Program Managers
• Data Engineers
• ML Engineers
• Data Scientists
• Data & Software Architects
• Heads of Data & AI Delivery Teams
  
  

External

• Technology Partners
• Software Vendors
• Engineering Partners
  
  

Main ResponsibilitiesDefine the Data & AI V&V Strategy

• Perform a comprehensive audit of the current V&V organization, processes, tools, and maturity.
• Identify risks, technical debt, and improvement opportunities.
• Define and execute the Data & AI V&V transformation roadmap.
• Establish quality KPIs and reporting.
  
  

Deploy Software Quality Engineering Best Practices

• Define and standardize verification and validation methodologies across the Data & AI technology landscape.
• Promote and deploy:
• Automated testing
• CI/CD quality gates
• Unit, integration, and end-to-end testing
• Regression testing
• Performance testing

Organization & People Management

• Build and develop the Data & AI V&V organization.
• Build and execute the staffing plan.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop V&V engineers.
• Provide hierarchical management, coaching, and career development.
• Foster a strong software engineering and quality culture.
  
  

Governance

• Establish Data & AI V&V governance across all Data & AI products.
• Define mandatory software quality gates before production deployment.
• Ensure compliance with Alstom engineering standards.
• Support executive reviews through quality reporting and risk assessment.
  
  

Agile Quality Leadership

• Define and promote V&V practices adapted to Agile delivery.
• Embed V&V engineers within Agile squads.
• Ensure verification and validation activities are integrated into sprint planning, refinement, development, and release cycles.
  
  

Required QualificationsEducation

Mandatory

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering, or equivalent.
  
  

Preferred

• Cloud, Kubernetes, DevOps, or MLOps certifications.
  
  

Experience

Mandatory

• 10+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Data Engineering, AI Engineering, or Quality Engineering.
• Significant experience managing engineering teams.
• Proven experience defining and deploying enterprise-scale V&V strategies.
• Experience leading organizational transformation.
• Experience with modern Data & AI platforms and cloud-native technologies.
• Proven experience working within Agile software delivery organizations.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional Agile squads.
• Experience implementing Software Quality Engineering practices in Agile and DevOps environments.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience in railway, industrial, or safety-critical environments.
  
  

Competencies & Skills

• Strong leadership and people management
• Technical credibility
• Software Quality Engineering
• Test Automation
• AI/ML Solution Validation
• Python
• Containerization
• CI/CD
• DevOps
• Risk Management
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong execution and delivery focus
• Agile methodologies
  
  

You don't need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you'll be proud. If you're up for the challenge, we'd love to hear from you!

Important to note

As a global business, we're an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates diversity across the 63 countries we operate in. We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Job Type: Experienced