Lead Engineering Manager – AI Creativity Apps

Reposted 20 Days Ago
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Barcelona, Cataluña
In-Office
Senior level
Software
The Role
Lead the technical direction for AI Creativity apps, manage a cross-functional engineering team, and design end-to-end architecture, focusing on user experience and technical excellence.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Retake & Codeway

For years, photo editing apps barely evolved. Then came Retake, combining powerful AI with natural, real results. In just two years, it has become the fastest-growing face editing app, with $40M+ ARR and 35M+ downloads.

Retake began as a rebellion against outdated photo editing tools, proving that creativity and technology can coexist without filters or fakery. While competitors still chase gimmicks, Retake is building something real: natural, authentic photos powered by advanced AI.

Today, Retake is used by millions around the world, driven by a deep in-house AI capability and a relentless focus on user experience. Our vision is to make photo editing effortless, personal, and inspiring for everyone.

Retake is part of Codeway Group, one of Europe’s fastest-growing consumer app companies, now surpassing $300M in annual revenue across verticals in AI creativity, wellness, learning, and productivity.

We are now looking for an Lead Engineering Manager to take our AI Creativity vertical into its next chapter, building the foundation for products that will define how millions of people create, edit, and express themselves. This is a rare opportunity to own the technical direction of a flagship category within Codeway’s $300M+ ARR consumer app group, supported by world-class AI talent, a proven growth engine, and a culture built on speed, ownership, and innovation.


About the Role

As Lead Engineering Manager, you’ll own the full technical direction of our AI Creativity APPs starting with Retake. You’ll lead and grow a cross-functional engineering team (frontend, backend, fullstack), shaping the product’s technical vision and delivering seamless, world-class user experiences. This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-paced, creative environment where ideas move from concept to live product in weeks.

What you'll do

◦​ Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing engineering team
◦​ Design and own end-to-end architecture across mobile and backend systems
◦​ Translate product requirements into clear, scalable, maintainable technical designs
◦​ Collaborate closely with AI and product teams to bring model outputs into production
◦​ Drive technical excellence through code reviews, mentorship, and hands-on development
◦​ Guide architectural decisions on performance, scalability, and reliability
◦​ Define and deliver on a technical roadmap aligned with business goals

What you bring

◦​ Proven expertise (5+ years) in software development and at least 2 years in mobile (Flutter experience a plus)
Strong understanding of image rendering, caching, concurrency, and performance optimization
Experience architecting and operating backend systems that support AI-driven workflows
Solid grasp of API design, scalability, and secure, low-latency communication between mobile and backend
Familiarity with GPU-based inference, asynchronous task handling, and privacy best practices for user and AI-generated data
A passion for innovation and emerging AI technologies (e.g., Stable Diffusion, ControlNet)
Strong technical planning and architecture skills—able to translate product ideas into actionable engineering work
Demonstrated leadership across cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and high technical standards
Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences

Why this role

Own it: Full responsibility for technical strategy and execution on products used by millions
Build from scratch: Create new systems and architectures—no legacy code to inherit
Move fast: Work in a culture of speed, creativity, and autonomy
Collaborate with excellence: Partner with top-tier engineers, designers, and product leaders
Stay hands-on: Lead by example, solving complex technical challenges alongside your team

What We Offer

Full ownership of technical strategy for a high-impact AI product
Collaboration with executive leadership and AI experts
Private health insurance, meal card, and wellness benefits
Annual learning and development budget for conferences and professional growth
Free access to Codeway’s AI, wellness, and education apps
Modern, world-class Barcelona office
Full relocation support for international hires (visa, travel, housing)

Our Hiring Process

Recruiter Interview → Hiring Manager Interview → Technical Deep Dive → Leadership Interview → CEO Meeting

Top Skills

AI
APIs
Flutter
Gpu-Based Inference
Image Rendering
Mobile Development
Software Development
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The Company
Istanbul , Istanbul
356 Employees
Year Founded: 2020

What We Do

Founded in Istanbul in 2020, Codeway is on a mission to lead the mobile AI app space by developing cutting-edge apps that deliver top-notch user experiences and innovative technology, reaching millions worldwide. As the #1 subscription app publisher and the most downloaded app publisher on iOS between June and August 2024, Codeway has made a significant impact on the global mobile market.

With a strong focus on AI research and continuous investment in R&D, we ensure that our technologies stand out in competitive markets. At the 2024 data.ai Publisher Awards, Codeway ranked 2nd among top publishers in EMEA, while our app Ask AI secured 4th place in the top apps category. Our proprietary AI technologies, developed by a dedicated in-house team, drive innovation in apps like Retake, which is gaining recognition globally.

Codeway currently has over fifteen mobile products live, spanning categories such as photo editing, productivity, utilities, and entertainment. Our flagship apps include Wonder AI Art Generator, the most downloaded AI art app in 2023, and Chat & Ask AI Chatbot, one of the most downloaded AI chatbot apps in April 2023. On the App Store, Wonder ranks 4th in Graphic & Design, while Chat & Ask AI holds 11th place in Productivity.

Our portfolio has already reached over 200 million users worldwide, highlighting our ability to resonate with diverse audiences. We are dedicated to creating category-defining apps, and our track record proves it. Beyond our products, Codeway’s success is reflected in our company culture. We have been certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, earning 1st place in the Great Place to Work in Turkey™ 2023, 1st in Best Workplaces in Technology™ 2023, and 6th in Best Workplaces in Europe™ 2023. We also rank 3rd on LinkedIn’s Top Startups 2023 list.

As we continue to expand and release more apps, our focus remains on the intersection of AI and mobile technology. Join us and be part of this incredible journey

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