AI Tech Lead

steampunk; Illinois; On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

steampunk seeks a seasoned AI Tech Lead to collaborate with clients and internal teams in delivering enterprise-grade predictive and generative AI solutions. You will architect scalable AI/ML systems, implement robust MLOps, and mentor developers across projects.

Strong communication and compliance with data privacy and ethics are essential. You will lead end-to-end ML pipelines, ensure production readiness, and drive AI technology adoption while aligning with client needs and Steampunk’s growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, AI, ML or related field with 10+ years exp. OR Master’s with 8+ years exp.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering focused on AI/ML development.
• Proven track record leading and mentoring AI projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of developers on predictive and generative AI solutions.
• Architect scalable AI/ML systems and oversee production deployments.
• Drive AI technology adoption across the organization with cross-functional teams.
• Design end-to-end ML pipelines from data ingestion to deployment and monitoring.

Skills

Python

AI/ML

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Data structures/algorithms

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / AI / ML

Master's degree in Computer Science / AI / ML

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Overview

We are looking for seasoned AI Tech Lead to work with our team and our clients to develop enterprise grade predictive and generative AI solutions, applications, pipelines, visualizations, and more!The AI Tech Lead needs to be a technologist with excellent communication and customer service skills and a passion for data and problem solving. This role spans the spectrum of data science development work.

Contributions

• Lead and mentor a team of developers working on cutting-edge predictive and generative AI solutions.
• Architect and oversee the development of scalable AI/ML systems, ensuring best practices in software engineering and AI ethics.
• Drive the adoption of AI technologies across the organization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and implement AI-driven solutions.
• Design and implement end-to-end machine learning pipelines, from data ingestion to model deployment and monitoring.
• Establish and enforce best practices for AI development, including version control, testing, and documentation.
• Oversee the integration of AI models into production environments, ensuring seamless deployment and optimal performance.
• Collaborate with data scientists to translate complex algorithms into efficient, production-ready code.
• Implement and maintain robust MLOps practices to streamline the AI development lifecycle.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI/ML technologies and evaluate their potential application for our clients.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and ethical AI guidelines throughout the development process.
• You will contribute to the growth of our AI & Data Exploitation Practice!

Qualifications

• Ability to hold a position of public trust with the US government.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field and 10+ years of experience; OR
  • Master's in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field and 8+ years of experience.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, focused on AI/ML development.
• Proven track record of leading and mentoring teams of developers in AI projects.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Extensive knowledge of machine learning algorithms, deep learning architectures, and natural language processing techniques.
• Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and experience with deploying AI solutions at scale.
• Solid understanding of DevSecOps principles and experience implementing CI/CD pipelines for AI projects.
• Familiarity with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, and distributed computing concepts.
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical leadership with hands‑on development when needed.
• Experience with agile methodologies and project management tools.

About steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $180,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk’s total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. As an employee owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers – and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.