Project Lead (AI Text-to-SQL & Semantic Layer)

Deeplight; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist AI consultancy in Dubai is seeking a Project Lead to drive the development of an AI-powered text-to-SQL query platform. This role requires a strong leader with 7-12+ years of experience in Data and ML Engineering, who can lead cross-functional teams and deliver innovative solutions rapidly. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of LLM engineering and BI integration, ensuring the implementation aligns with enterprise data governance. This is a 6-month contract with potential for extension and includes numerous benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance bonuses

Comprehensive health insurance

Professional development support

Flexible working arrangements

Career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Lead end-to-end delivery of AI interfaces converting natural language into SQL queries.
• Hands-on experience with conversational AI and text-to-SQL systems.
• Strong cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design and delivery of an AI-powered text-to-SQL query platform.
• Collaborate with finance and retail SMEs for contextual integration.
• Assess and recommend BI tools based on organizational needs.

Skills

Leadership

Data Engineering

ML Engineering

Cross-functional communication

SQL

Education

7-12+ years in relevant fields

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

MicroStrategy

Azure OpenAI

Job description

DeepLight AI is a specialist AI and data consultancy with extensive experience implementing intelligent enterprise systems across multiple industries, with particular depth in financial services and banking. Our team combines deep expertise in data science, statistical modeling, AI/ML technologies, workflow automation, and systems integration with a practical understanding of complex business operations.

The Project Lead drives the design, delivery, and operational rollout of an internal AI-powered text-to-SQL query platform that enables natural language access to enterprise data across multiple BI systems. This role sits at the intersection of LLM engineering, semantic data modeling, BI metadata management, and pragmatic delivery leadership.

The roleleads a focused 5–7 person team to deliver a production-ready conversational query layer in a fast-paced window. This role requires an individual who thrives on execution, cuts through complexity, and knows how to ship working AI solutions quickly and safely.

Key Responsibilities of the role include:

AI & Data Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of an internal conversational AI interface that converts natural language questions into SQL queries.
• Drive the evaluation and implementation of semantic model generation approaches (vendor-based and in-house custom development).
• Build and operationalize a query stack hosted inside the company’s VPC.

Semantic Layer & BI Integration

• Design, refine, and implement a semantic layer that supports accurate text-to-SQL translation.
• Integrate the solution across existing BI platforms (MicroStrategy, Power BI, Tableau) without requiring tool migration.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise data governance and the company’s “Data for AI” initiative.

Vendor & Tooling Strategy

• Assess capabilities of MicroStrategy’s AI features, Microsoft Azure-native tools, and emerging startup solutions.
• Provide a balanced BI tooling recommendation based on operational needs and platform capabilities.
• Mitigate vendor lock-in by evaluating multiple options and architecting flexible solutions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work with domain SMEs in Finance and Retail to incorporate business context into the semantic layer.
• Collaborate with internal data, BI, and AI engineering teams.
• Provide clear, actionable updates to senior leadership with a bias toward rapid decision-making.
• 7–12+ years in Data Engineering, ML Engineering, Data Architecture, or Applied AI.
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Text-to-SQL or NL-to-query systems
  • Conversational AI (LLMs, prompt engineering, fine-tuning)
  • Semantic modeling, MDM concepts, ontologies, or BI metadata layers
  • SQL and BI ecosystems (Power BI, Tableau, MicroStrategy)
• Comfortable integrating LLMs with data warehouses, APIs, and enterprise cloud environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex AI/data projects under compressed timelines.
• Fast, pragmatic decision-maker who avoids analysis paralysis.
• Strong cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading small, high-performance engineering teams.

It would be great if you also have;

• A background in Microsoft Azure ecosystem or Azure OpenAI.

• Previous exposure to Microsoft Fabric, dbt, semantic modeling tools, or metadata automation platforms.

• Previous experience building internal copilots or enterprise LLM applications.

Please note: This is a 6 month Fixed term contractually initially, with the potential to extend.

Benefits & Growth Opportunities:

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Professional development and certification support
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects
• Flexible working arrangements
• Career advancement opportunities in a rapidly growing AI company

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI implementation while working with a talented team of professionals at the forefront of technological innovation. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in driving our company's success in delivering transformative AI solutions to our clients.

At DeepLight AI, we recognise that diversity drives innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals with different thinking styles can thrive and contribute their unique strengths to our specialised AI and data solutions.

Our goal is to ensure our application and interview process is accessible, predictable, and fair for all candidates.

If you require any specific adjustments to the application process, or if you require any reasonable adjustments should you be successful in being processed to the interview stage, please do let us know. This information will be kept strictly confidential and will not impact hiring decisions.