AI Engineering Manager, Agentic Foundation

Zs Associates; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Total rewards package

Job summary

ZS Associates is seeking an AI Engineering Manager for ZAIDYN Content in the United States. You will lead end-to-end architecture and delivery of large-scale AI and platform systems, guiding frontend, API, data, and AI layers while partnering with Product, AI/ML, DevOps, and Data teams.

You will mentor engineers, establish engineering standards, and ensure production readiness with cloud-native practices. Hybrid work model and travel are expected for client engagements.

Qualifications

• Deep software engineering fundamentals and system design.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and system design for large-scale, distributed multi-tier systems spanning frontend, APIs, services, data, and AI layers.
• Define engineering standards, patterns, service boundaries, data models, and platform decisions.
• Architect GenAI-enabled systems using LLMs, prompt pipelines, model integrations, and workflows.
• Guide engineers through design reviews, debt resolution, and scalable implementation practices.
• Own delivery across high-impact, parallel workstreams with planning, risk identification, and execution.
• Ensure observability, reliability, and production readiness aligned with cloud-native and CI/CD practices.
• Collaborate with Product, AI/ML, Data Engineering, DevOps, and Consulting to translate business needs into scalable solutions.

Skills

Software engineering

Engineering management

Distributed systems

Python backend

Communication of trade-offs

Coaching & hiring

English fluency

Tools

Python

FastAPI

Flask

Job description

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life‑changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client‑first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life‑changing impact to ZS.

What you’ll do:

AI Engineering Managers in ZAIDYN Content will own the end-to-end architecture, design, and delivery of large-scale AI and platform systems supporting the Agentic Foundation workstream. In this role, you will lead teams building multi-tier, distributed applications across API, service, data, and AI layers while staying deeply engaged in system design and technical reviews. You will drive engineering excellence across performance, scalability, reliability, maintainability, and production readiness. You will serve as a technical authority for complex architectural and production challenges, making pragmatic trade-offs that balance near-term delivery with long-term platform evolution. You will partner closely with Product, AI/ML, DevOps, Data Engineering, and Consulting teams to integrate GenAI capabilities into robust enterprise platforms. You will also mentor engineers and help build a culture of technical depth, ownership, accountability, and reuse across AI components and platform capabilities.

• Lead architecture and system design for large-scale, distributed, multi-tier systems spanning frontend, APIs, services, data, and AI layers.
• Define engineering standards, design patterns, service boundaries, API approaches, data models, and platform architecture decisions.
• Architect and build production-grade GenAI-enabled systems using LLMs, prompt pipelines, model APIs, and agentic or workflow-based approaches.
• Guide engineers through design reviews, code reviews, technical debt resolution, and scalable implementation practices.
• Own delivery across high-impact, parallel workstreams by driving planning, prioritization, risk identification, and execution discipline.
• Ensure systems are observable, reliable, debuggable, production-ready, and aligned with cloud-native and CI/CD practices.
• Partner with Product, AI/ML, Data Engineering, DevOps, and Consulting teams to translate complex business needs into scalable technical solutions.

What you’ll bring:

• Deep software engineering experience with strong foundations in core computer science, data structures, algorithms, and system design.
• Engineering management or technical leadership experience with proven ability to lead teams while remaining technically credible and hands‑on.
• Experience building and scaling large-scale, distributed, multi-tier applications across backend, services, data, and AI layers.
• Strong backend engineering skills, with Python preferred, and familiarity with frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or similar technologies.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, microservices, API design, service-oriented architecture, data modeling, and storage systems.
• Hands‑on experience building production-grade GenAI or LLM systems, including prompt pipelines, model integrations, and agentic or workflow-based AI systems.
• Ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term platform evolution, reuse, standardization, and maintainability.
• Fluency in English, a client‑first mentality, collaborative spirit, strong problem‑solving approach, and ability to communicate technical trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.
• Ability to build engineering culture through coaching, hiring, structured development, and clear expectations for technical excellence.
• Experience supporting complex platform or AI solution discussions with internal stakeholders and/or clients is preferred.

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on‑site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.