Technical Engagement Lead - Data & AI (Zurich / Lausanne Switzerland)

Startupvalleys; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to contribute to growth of

Cutting-edge data & AI topics

Option to partially work from home

Flexible working hours

Off-sites & events

Training budget

Job summary

Unit8 is seeking a Technical Engagement Lead to own complex Data & AI engagements from problem to delivery. You will bridge client leadership, architecture, and hands-on engineering, translating client goals into a practical delivery approach and guiding the technical team to success.

This role offers growth into broader delivery and client leadership while staying close to technology. You will coordinate cross-functional workstreams, mentor senior engineers, and shape solutions across GenAI,

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant experience with ownership of technical projects or client engagements.
• Strong engineering background, comfortable designing, implementing, reviewing and debugging production systems.
• Deep expertise in GenAI / AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Cloud & Data Platforms or ML / Data Science with ability to work across disciplines.
• Excellent problem decomposition, system design, and translating business problems into executable delivery plans.
• Experience leading engineers or teams and delivering outcomes; comfortable contributing to proposals and account growth.

Responsibilities

• Own the engagement end-to-end and be accountable for client relationship and delivery outcomes.
• Turn client problems into delivery plans with clear objectives, scope and roadmap.
• Own the technical solution: shape architecture, stay hands-on, ensure high engineering quality.
• Lead and manage the team, provide direction and feedback to help the team perform.
• Help grow our business by identifying opportunities within existing accounts and contributing to pre-sales.

Skills

Engagement leadership

Client relationship management

Technical leadership

System design

Cross-functional collaboration

GenAI / AI Engineering

Data Engineering

Cloud & Data Platforms

ML / Data Science

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 Technical Engagement Lead, you will take ownership of complex Data & AI engagements and lead them from an ambiguous client problem to a successful technical outcome.

You will work at the intersection of client leadership, architecture and hands-on engineering: understanding what the client is trying to achieve, translating it into a clear delivery approach, guiding the technical solution and team, and stepping into implementation when needed.

This is a role for someone who wants to grow into broader delivery and client leadership without moving away from technology.

Depending on your experience, your scope may range from leading a complex technical engagement to coordinating multiple workstreams, senior engineers or broader client responsibilities.

What You’ll Do

• Own the engagement end-to-end — take accountability for the client relationship, delivery outcomes and the performance of the team.
• Turn client problems into delivery plans — work with clients to define clear objectives, scope, priorities and a practical roadmap.
• Own the technical solution — shape the architecture, stay hands-on in implementation and ensure high engineering quality.
• Lead and manage the team — create a high-performing environment, give direction and feedback, and help people do their best work.
• Help grow our business — identify and shape new opportunities within existing accounts and contribute to pre-sales and new client engagements.

Why You’ll Love It

• Solve important problems — work directly with clients on complex challenges where Data & AI can materially improve how their business operates and serves customers.
• Own the outcome — take responsibility from client problem to successful delivery, working across technology, teams and stakeholders as your scope grows.
• Work at the edge of Data & AI — design and deliver solutions across GenAI and agents, AI engineering, modern data platforms, cloud, software engineering and production ML.
• Work with people who raise the bar — collaborate with deeply technical engineers, data scientists and consultants who care about solving difficult problems and making an impact.

Who You Are

• You typically bring 5–8 years of relevant experience, with significant ownership of technical projects or client engagements.
• You have a strong engineering background and remain comfortable designing, implementing, reviewing and debugging production systems.
• You bring deep expertise in at least one area such as GenAI / AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Cloud & Data Platforms or ML / Data Science, together with ability to work across disciplines.
• You are strong at problem decomposition and system design and able to move from a business problem to requirements, architecture, technical trade-offs and an executable delivery plan.
• You have experience leading engineers or teams and taking responsibility for delivery outcomes.
• You communicate effectively with clients and senior stakeholders, build trust quickly, and are comfortable contributing to proposals and account growth.
• Experience in consulting or another client-facing services environment is a strong plus.

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.