Lead Data & AI Engineer (Zurich / Lausanne Switzerland)

Unit8; Vaud; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Cutting-edge AI topics

Flexible hours

Training budget

Cross-office events

Remote work possible

Job summary

Unit8 is a Swiss data and AI services company seeking a Lead Data & AI Engineer to own the technical side of client projects from problem to production. You will design solutions, write substantial code, and sometimes lead a small team, acting as the client's primary technical counterpart.

This role suits engineers who want to lead projects while staying hands-on, delivering GenAI and data platform solutions rather than product/management work.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience building software, data or AI systems, and you are still hands-on: you have written production code in Python and/or SQL in the last 12 months.
• Deep expertise in at least one area — GenAI / AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Data Platforms & Cloud, or ML / Data Science — that you have taken to production.
• Strong at problem decomposition and system design: from a business problem to requirements, architecture, trade-offs and a delivery plan.
• You have led technical work: a project, a team, or an outcome you were accountable for.
• You enjoy working with clients and can explain technical choices clearly. Experience in consulting or another client-facing environment is a plus

Responsibilities

• Build the solution — design and write production code for GenAI applications (agents, RAG, LLM apps) or data platforms and pipelines, and get it running for real users.
• Lead the technical work — set the technical direction, review code, and help the engineers on your project grow.
• Shape the work with the client — turn an ambiguous business problem into clear objectives, scope and a realistic plan, and explain trade-offs to stakeholders.
• Own the outcome — be accountable for what gets delivered, its quality and the client's trust

Skills

Python

SQL

GenAI / AI Engineering

Data Platforms & Cloud

ML / Data Science

Client-facing communication

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 2017, Unit8 is a leading Data & AI services company helping large organisations turn data and AI into measurable business value.

We work with major enterprises across industries including pharma, chemicals, manufacturing, financial services and automotive, solving complex problems across operations, R&D, customer experience and core business processes.

Today, Unit8 brings together 170+ engineers, data scientists and consultants across Europe and North America, with a growing presence in the Middle East. We have delivered more than 350 Data & AI projects, spanning GenAI and AI engineering, data platforms, cloud, machine learning and advanced analytics.

Our Mission

Our mission is to help organisations make Data & AI work in the real world.

We combine strong engineering, technical expertise and business understanding to take ideas from problem definition and architecture through implementation, deployment and adoption.

The Role

As a Lead Data & AI Engineer, you own the technical side of a client project, going from an ambiguous problem to a solution running in production. You work out what the client actually needs, design the solution and write a significant part of the code yourself. Depending on the project, you deliver it on your own or lead a small team of engineers, and you are the client's main technical counterpart.

This role is for engineers who want to lead projects while staying close to technical work. This is not a product/management/architecture-only role.

What You'll Do

• Build the solution - design and write production code for GenAI applications (agents, RAG, LLM apps) or data platforms and pipelines, and get it running for real users
• Lead the technical work - set the technical direction, review code, and help the engineers on your project grow
• Shape the work with the client - turn an ambiguous business problem into clear objectives, scope and a realistic plan, and explain trade-offs to stakeholders
• Own the outcome - be accountable for what gets delivered, its quality and the client's trust

Why You'll Love It

• Solve problems that matter - work directly with clients on complex challenges where Data & AI materially improves how their business runs
• Build, not just advise - you ship code that runs for real users, not slide decks
• Work at the edge of Data & AI - GenAI and agents, AI engineering, modern data platforms
• Work with people who raise the bar - deeply technical engineers and data scientists who care about solving hard problems
• Grow with us - take on larger engagements and broader technical leadership as you prove yourself

Requirements

Who You Are

• 5-7 years of experience building software, data or AI systems, and you are still hands‑on: you have written production code in Python and/or SQL in the last 12 months
• Deep expertise in at least one area — GenAI / AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Data Platforms & Cloud, or ML / Data Science — that you have taken to production
• Strong at problem decomposition and system design: from a business problem to requirements, architecture, trade-offs and a delivery plan
• You have led technical work: a project, a team, or an outcome you were accountable for
• You enjoy working with clients and can explain technical choices clearly. Experience in consulting or another client-facing environment is a plus

How We Hire

Our hiring process includes a live coding interview without AI assistance, a system design exercise and a client case study.

Benefits

What We Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of one of the leading Swiss data & AI consultancies
• Work on cutting‑edge data & AI topics
• Option to partially work from home
• Flexible working hours
• Cross‑office/ company‑wide frequent events like off‑sites
• Dedicated budget for training

Why Unit8?

At Unit8, we don't just turn data into value - we empower the people who make it possible. If you are looking for a place where you can take ownership, your next chapter starts here.

• Trust from Day One:We rely on your expertise. Trust is the core of our culture
• Meaningful Work:You drive things that matter and make others' projects easier through your work
• Passion-Led Projects:We provide the environment where you can pursue your passion alongside top talent. If you are excited about the future, you belong with us

We welcome people from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, personality, national origin, race, religion, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.