Senior AI Engineer - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey & Company; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company, through QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, seeks a Senior AI Engineer to lead the design and development of innovative AI solutions. You will blend advanced software development with robust data engineering, collaborating with a global technologist network to transform client businesses through analytics and AI.

You will build scalable data pipelines, contribute to AI models, and mentor client teams while ensuring maintainability, security, and scalability of products and

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of professional experience in building and deploying data solutions and software products.
• Strong coding skills in Python, with additional experience in Scala or Java.
• Experience with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
• Hands-on expertise in Docker and Kubernetes for scalable production systems.
• Familiarity with Spark, Dask; cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and analytics libraries (pandas, numpy, matplotlib).
• Exposure to DevOps, DataOps, and MLOps concepts. Experience with Python, PySpark, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, Kedro, Dask/RAPIDS, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud services.
• Experience with GenAI or agentic systems; building RAG systems and integrating LLMs is a plus.
• Exposure to TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-Learn; awareness of Responsible AI, bias testing, LLM safety guardrails.
• Demonstrated collaboration with developers and non-technical stakeholders; experience in Agile teams and sprint ceremonies.
• Strong time management in autonomous environments; excellent English communication; ability to adapt style to audience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of innovative AI solutions blending software dev with data engineering.
• Collaborate with a global network of technologists and industry experts to transform client businesses through analytics and AI.
• Develop scalable data pipelines, build software products, and contribute to AI models while mentoring client teams.
• Architect and build modular, reproducible data pipelines for ML/AI applications; ensure maintainability and security.
• Assess data landscapes, ensure data quality, and prepare data for analytics; manage secure data environments.
• Mentor client teams on engineering best practices, user-centric design, and Agile values.
• Partner with QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, and QuantumBlack Labs to create cutting-edge ML systems at scale.

Skills

Python

Scala/Java

Docker/Kubernetes

Spark/Dask

Cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure)

GenAI/LLMs

AI Governance/Safety

Agile/Sprint ceremonies

Communication in English

Education

Degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Mathematics

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

PySpark

SQL

Airflow

Databricks

Kedro

Dask/RAPIDS

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

Role: Senior AI Engineer - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

Your impact

You will lead the design and development of innovative AI solutions by seamlessly combining advanced software development practices with robust data engineering expertise.

You will collaborate with a global network of technologists, data scientists, and industry experts to help clients transform their businesses through advanced analytics and AI-driven solutions. You’ll develop scalable data pipelines, build cutting- edge software products, and contribute to the development of AI models while mentoring client teams and shaping engineering cultures.

You will take on diverse and impactful responsibilities that blend technical expertise with strategic collaboration. You will architect and build scalable, modular, and reproducible data pipelines tailored for machine learning and AI applications. Additionally, you will develop software products and services from the ground up, ensuring they are maintainable, scalable, and secure. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will assess data landscapes, ensure data quality, and prepare data for advanced analytics models. Your work will also involve managing secure data environments and contributing to research and development initiatives, as well as internal asset development, to continuously expand your technical expertise.

Beyond technical execution, you will participate in cross-functional problem-solving sessions with client leaders, helping shape their digital strategies and delivering solutions that extend beyond the product itself. A key part of your work will be mentoring client teams on engineering best practices, user-centric design, and Agile values, enabling them to build the technical capabilities and cultures necessary to sustain AI-driven solutions. Your work will address real-world challenges across industries, driving meaningful and lasting impact. By partnering with QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey and QuantumBlack Labs teams, you will help create cutting-edge machine learning systems that accelerate AI adoption and solve complex business problems at scale.

Your growth

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity.
• Global community: You’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits: We provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

Your qualifications and skills

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent experience
• 6+ years of professional experience in building and deploying data solutions and software products
• Strong coding skills in Python, with additional experience in Scala or Java being a plus
• Experience working with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data
• Hands-on expertise in containerization and orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes for scalable production systems
• Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Dask), cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and analytics libraries (e.g., pandas, numpy, matplotlib)
• Exposure to DevOps, DataOps, and MLOps concepts and best practices. Experience with core technologies such as Python, PySpark, SQL, Airflow, Databricks, Kedro, Dask/RAPIDS, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud services (AWS/GCP/Azure)
• Experience with Generative AI (GenAI) or agentic systems, including building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems, implementing large language models (LLMs), or integrating advanced AI frameworks is a plus
• Exposure to AI modeling frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, or Scikit-Learn, along with familiarity with AI Governance and Safety principles, including Responsible AI practices, bias and hallucination testing, and LLM safety guardrails
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with other developers, as well as technical and non-technical people within software teams. Additionally, experience working in Agile teams including active participation in sprint ceremonies
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and local office language(s), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

Industries include Aerospace & Defense and Automotive & Assembly.