Raul Juarez

Data & AI Platform Manager / Head of Data & AI Core at Naranja X

Based in Argentina

Summary

Data & AI Executive | Building Scalable Data Platforms and AI Organizations | Ex Mercado Libre & Globant | Fintech, ML and Platform Engineering

About

I build and scale Data, AI, and Engineering organizations that operate as business-critical platforms—not internal support functions.

Across 23+ years in technology, I have led organizations of up to 80+ professionals spanning Data Engineering, Analytics, AI/ML, MLOps, Architecture, Platform Engineering, and Software Engineering. My experience includes leadership roles at Naranja X, Mercado Libre, Factored, Xepelin, and Globant.

I specialize in helping companies move from fragmented data and AI initiatives to scalable, governed capabilities with clear ownership and measurable business impact. This includes defining platform strategy, designing operating models, developing leadership teams, modernizing architecture, and connecting AI investment to growth, efficiency, risk, and customer outcomes.

At Mercado Libre, I built and scaled Machine Learning capabilities, founded the ecosystem’s first Computer Vision team, led 50+ professionals, and participated in the integration of more than 50 ML profiles through an M&A process. Today, at Naranja X, I lead the Data & AI Core and the evolution of a cloud-native platform spanning data, architecture, analytics, and industrialized AI.My leadership style combines technical depth, product thinking, organizational design, and executive alignment. I am most effective in global, high-growth, or transformation environments where Data and AI are expected to create durable competitive advantage—not another impressive demo that quietly disappears after the steering committee meeting.

How fractional CTO engagements with Raul work

Raul works on a fractional basis — typically one to three days a week for an agreed engagement length — so you get senior technical leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Engagements commonly include technical due diligence, board reporting, engineering team leadership, technology strategy, architecture reviews, hiring support, and stepping in as interim CTO during a transition.