Head of Algorithms (Portugal-based)

Sword Health is on a mission to free two billion people from pain as the world’s first and only end-to-end platform to predict, prevent and treat pain. 

With 67% of members achieving a pain-free life and a 70% reduction in surgery intent, at Sword, we are using technology to save millions for our 25,000 enterprise clients across three continents. Today, we hold the majority of industry patents, win 70% of competitive evaluations, and have raised more than $300 million from top venture firms like Founders Fund, Sapphire Ventures, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures.

Recognized as a Forbes Best Startup Employer in 2024, this award highlights our focus on being a destination for the best and brightest talent. Not only have we experienced unprecedented growth since our market debut in 2020, but we’ve also created a remarkable mission and value-driven environment that is loved by our growing team. With a recent valuation of $3 billion, we are in a phase of hyper growth and expansion, and we’re looking for individuals with passion, commitment, and energy to help us scale our impact. 

Joining Sword Health means committing to a set of core values, chief amongst them to “do it for the patients” every day, and to always “deliver more than expected” on behalf of our members and clients.

This is an opportunity for you to make a significant difference on a massive scale as you work alongside 900+ (and growing!) talented colleagues, spanning three continents. Your charge? To help us build a pain-free world, powered by technology, enhanced by people — accessible to all.

Algorithms Team:

Our Algorithms team is a versatile Software Engineering team. They build production-ready software for complex problems that require technical and innovative solutions. The team combines:

- software engineering ability;

- technical expertise and versatility - and the ability to learn fast (in fields such as Computer Vision, Signal Processing, Kinematics, Control, Data Science, etc);

- product awareness.

The largest example of their work is the motion tracking and motion analysis engine that enables our AI Care Specialist to guide our members during their exercise sessions:

- providing multi modal real-time feedback;

- collecting valuable movement metrics.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead 3 Software Engineering teams working in technical and research-like topics for the Thrive Product (Computer Vision, Signal Processing, Game Engineer);
• Own deliverables across the teams ensuring they are delivered according to time and scope and are aligned with company’s goals;
• Lead planning and technical strategy in collaboration with Product Managers and other stakeholders, converting high-level goals into a concrete plan;
• Ensure the technical work is fully aligned with the product needs, leading the team through experimentation and scoping of solutions for ambiguous problems;
• Find solutions for blockers, drive alignment and make sound tradeoffs; Identify and address risks, ambiguities and future needs;
• Contribute to troubleshooting, designing/implementing solutions and reviewing, being hands-on when needed;
• Own people management topics within the team, including recruitment and team structure, performance review, learning and development;
• Maintain a productive, inspiring and inclusive working environment for the team, leading by example.

What you need to have:

• 7+ years of experience in solving complex and ambiguous problems with software in domains such as Computer Vision, Mathematics, Data Science, Signal Processing, Control, etc;
• 3+ years of leading production software teams and leading projects from ideation to completion and maintenance;
• Strong technical skills across the areas of work of the Algorithms team (most notably in Computer Vision);
• Sharp product sense and ability to influence technical product decisions;
• Strong leadership skills - ability to nurture high throughput and quality, to coach and mentor the team to maximize the impact of the work over time;
• Strong communication skills - both technical and non-technical, including the ability to rally stakeholders and to provide effective feedback.

What we would love to see:

• Track record of leading projects in complex and multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating versatility;
• Experience with mobile app development or game development.

To ensure you feel good solving a big Human problem, we offer:

• A stimulating, fast-paced environment with lots of room for creativity;
• A bright future at a promising high-tech startup company;
• Career development and growth, with a competitive salary;
• The opportunity to work with a talented team and to add real value to an innovative solution with the potential to change the future of healthcare;
• A flexible environment where you can control your hours (remotely) with unlimited vacation;
• Access to our health and well-being program (digital therapist sessions);
• Remote or Hybrid work policy: We have offices in Porto and Lisbon, so if you want to have face-to-face contact you can always work from there.

Portugal - Sword Benefits & Perks:

• Health, dental and vision insurance

• Meal allowance

• Equity shares

• Remote work allowance

• Flexible working hours

• Work from home

• Unlimited vacation

• Snacks and beverages

• English class

• Unlimited access to our Learning Platform

Note: Please note that this position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must possess a valid EU visa and be based in Portugal.

Sword Health, which includes SWORD Health, Inc. and Sword Health Professionals (consisting of Sword Health Care Providers, P.A., SWORD Health Care Providers of NJ, P.C., SWORD Health Care Physical Therapy Providers of CA, P.C.*) complies with applicable Federal and State civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Color, Citizenship, Gender, Gender expression, Gender identity, Gender information, Marital status, Medical condition, National origin, Physical or mental disability, Pregnancy, Race, Religion, Caste, Sexual orientation, and Veteran status.