AI Engineer

PEAK6; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

PEAK6 AI Strategies builds and launches AI-powered fintech ventures. We seek an AI Engineer to ideate, build, and launch AI-enabled insurance services in partnership with FOCUS. You’ll work with entrepreneurs and engineers to turn ideas into validated products.

The role emphasizes scalable AI/ML, production pipelines, and hands-on coding in Python. Based in Austin, TX, onsite 5x a week, with growth toward a technical leadership track as the venture scales.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on software engineering experience.
• 2+ years implementing machine learning or deep learning solutions.
• Proficient in Python, with ML libraries/frameworks.
• Familiarity with MLOps practices and deploying models to production is a plus.
• Prior exposure to insurance/financial services or BPO is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable AI/ML models and algorithms for insurance services and MVPs.
• Prototype, test, and iterate on new ideas with cross-functional teams.
• Build and maintain end-to-end software solutions integrating AI into insurance operations.
• Architect, implement, and monitor data pipelines and production ML systems with reliability and security.
• Write clean, reusable code and participate in code reviews and best-practices.
• Take on technical leadership tasks as an early team member and onboard new teammates.

Skills

Python

ML libraries

Software engineering

Data structures

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Job description

WHO WE ARE

We are PEAK6, a leading investment firm, using technology to find a better way of doing things. The company’s first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses. PEAK6’s core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, FOCUS, We Insure, Evil Geniuses, Poker Power, Zogo, and Bruce Markets.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

PEAK6 AI Strategies builds and launches AI-powered fintech ventures from the ground up, pairing entrepreneurs with engineers to turn ambiguous ideas into validated, scalable products. We're now pursuing one of the most compelling plays in the market today: AI-driven rollups of services businesses. As an AI Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in ideating, building, and launching an AI-powered insurance services venture in partnership with FOCUS, an existing PEAK6 portfolio company. FOCUS has already built a modern policy admin/underwriting platform and offers end-to-end insurance services — giving this venture a real operating base, domain expertise, and distribution to build on from day one. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with entrepreneurs and fellow engineers to turn ambiguous ideas into validated products — ultimately helping build a business that can scale into a category leader in AI-driven insurance operations, with a clear path to spinning out with seed capital.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable AI/ML models and algorithms for insurance services and BPO applications and MVPs.
• Work closely with entrepreneurs and cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on new ideas, incorporating feedback and delivering value from day one.
• Build and maintain end-to-end software solutions — integrating advanced AI functionality across backend and front-end technologies to automate and elevate insurance operations.
• Architect, implement, and monitor robust data pipelines and production ML systems, ensuring high reliability and security from conception through deployment.
• Write clean, efficient, and reusable code (primarily in Python and relevant tools/languages), and participate actively in code reviews and establishing best practices.
• Take on technical leadership tasks as an early team member: managing source control, documentation, onboarding new teammates, and driving technology adoption.
• Engage directly with entrepreneurs, FOCUS stakeholders, and acquired services businesses to gather requirements, deliver updates, and help operationalize margin-improving automation.
• Help identify and evaluate acquisition targets from a technical feasibility and AI-automation-potential standpoint.
• Stay current on trends in AI, insurtech, and services-rollup strategy to continuously sharpen what the team can deliver.
• Transition into a technical leadership role as the venture spins out of the residency with seed capital.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field.

Experience: 3+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, including at least 2 years implementing machine learning or deep learning solutions.

Proficient in Python, with experience in ML libraries/frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).

Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software engineering principles.

Familiarity with MLOps practices and deploying models into production is a plus.

Prior exposure to insurance, financial services, or BPO/services-industry operations is a plus, but not required.

Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach; comfortable operating as part of a small, high-impact team building something new.

Based in Austin, TX, or willing to relocate. This team is onsite 5x a week.

PEAK6 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our hiring practices ensure that all qualified applicants receive fair consideration without regard to these characteristics. PEAK6 is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all candidates, including those with disabilities. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our HR department at [e-mail]. We will work with you to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure your full participation in our hiring process.

#PEAK6

Application data may be reviewed, including through automated tools, for security and fraud-prevention purposes. This review is conducted by our information security team and is separate from hiring decisions.

We’re In The Business Of What Ought To Be The business of doing, making it better, more useful, more valuable. At PEAK6, we activate what is into what ought to be through world-class technology, operational excellence and purposeful design. Headquartered in the Chicago Board of Trade Building, PEAK6 is not your typical investment firm. While trading got us our start and still powers our center, we quickly realized that our vision was to embrace and empower today’s consumer through technology, simplifying processes, improving performance and creating new wealth.