Square poaches Facebook's product director for ads

Square, the mobile commerce company co-founded by Twitter's Jack Dorsey, announced this afternoon that it hired Gokul Rajaram, Facebook's former Product Director of Ads.

Rajaram will serve as the younger startup'sProduct Engineering Lead, leading software development for Square Register, the company's point-of-sale system for businesses.

"I'm thrilled to join the team and help build amazing products that drive economic growth and empower local businesses around the world," Rajaram said in a statement.

It's a big get for the company: Facebook's advertising business is arguably its most critical at this point in the company's trajectory, and the social network has been known to poach talent itself. For Square to do the same shows the high level of investment it is making in its products, as well as how aggressive it is willing to be in the race for Silicon Valley talent.

In recent months, the company hired Google's Francoise Brougher as its Business Lead; U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios J. Marantis as head of international government, regulatory and policy work; and BermanBraun's Paco Vinoly as Design Director.

Before Facebook, Rajaram co-founded Chai Labs, which was acquired by Facebook in August 2010. Before that, he was Product Management Director for Google AdSense.