AI Tech Lead - Commercial

Smith & Nephew; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Matching

Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical Coverage

Parental Leave

Wellness Programs

Job summary

Smith+ Nephew is seeking an AI Tech Lead to shape technical direction, drive scalable AI-powered products, and partner with product, design and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions.

You will own architecture, mentor engineers, and contribute hands-on while aligning roadmaps with business goals. This role offers a hybrid work model and strong focus on delivery excellence.

Qualifications

• Approx. 8+ years in software engineering, leadership, or architecture.
• Experience as Senior Engineer, Tech Lead, or Solution Architect with hands-on delivery.
• Strong architecture for AI-enabled digital products and customer tech.
• Hands-on with modern software practices and Java/JVM; Scala is a plus.
• Cloud, APIs, frontend/backend, DevOps, CI, testing, delivery practices.
• Collaboration with Product, Design, Scrum teams in agile environments.
• Clear communication of risks and decisions to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the technical architecture for commercial AI solutions.
• Lead architectural decisions, communicating risks and trade-offs.
• Align roadmaps with Product Managers and technical capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams.
• Contribute hands-on coding and problem-solving to delivery.
• Mentor engineers through code reviews and guidance.
• Improve automation, testing, quality, reliability and speed.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Skills

Java/JVM

Solution architecture

Technical leadership

Cloud platforms

API design

DevOps / CI

Hands-on coding

Mentoring

Scala

Full stack awareness

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Ne

Use Artificial Intelligence to make a Real Difference. AI is everywhere - Smith+Ne is applying it with purpose: bringing Life Unlimited to patients around the world. At Smith+Ne, AI is more than experimentation; it's a chance to solve real business problems, advance healthcare, and make a meaningful difference for patients worldwide.

Why now:Smith+Ne is investing in its AI capabilities, rapidly scaling in areas that will deliver the greatest impact for our business, customers and most importantly our purpose of bringing Life Unlimited to patients around the world. We're looking for talent to help us deliver business transformation, healthcare innovation and improved patient outcomes.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of AI and building solutions that create real commercial impact? As our AI Tech Lead, you will play a pivotal role in defining technical direction, influencing architecture decisions, and leading the development of scalable AI powered products. This is an opportunity to combine strategic technical leadership with hands on engineering, working alongside talented product, design, and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions that help drive business growth.

What will you be doing?

• Own and evolve the technical architecture for commercial AI solutions, ensuring they are scalable, secure, modular, and maintainable.

• Lead key architectural and engineering decisions, clearly communicating risks, options, and trade offs to stakeholders.

• Partner closely with Product Managers to align roadmaps, backlogs, and delivery priorities with technical capabilities and opportunities.

• Provide technical leadership across cross functional product teams, driving engineering excellence and best practices.

• Contribute hands on through coding, technical problem solving, and removing delivery obstacles.

• Mentor and coach engineers through code reviews, technical guidance, knowledge sharing, and continuous development.

• Drive improvements in automation, testing, quality, reliability, and delivery speed across AI products and platforms.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and sustainable delivery.

What will you need to be successful?

• Approximately 8+ years of experience in software engineering, technical leadership, solution architecture, or related technology leadership roles.

• Proven experience as a Senior Engineer, Tech Lead, or Solution Architect with responsibility for setting technical direction while remaining actively involved in delivery.

• Strong solution architecture expertise across AI enabled digital products, commercial platforms, and customer facing technologies.

• Hands on engineering experience with modern software development practices and strong knowledge of Java/JVM technologies. Experience with Scala is advantageous.

• Deep understanding of cloud platforms, APIs, frontend and backend frameworks, DevOps, continuous integration, automated testing, and modern delivery practices.

• Experience partnering with Product Managers, Design Leads, Scrum Masters, and engineering teams within agile product environments.

• Strong communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, apply sound judgment, and foster a culture of trust, transparency, and continuous learning.

You. Unlimited.
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

• Inclusion and Belonging Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion

• and Belonging.

• Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Purchase Plan, Tuition Reimbursement

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day

• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program

• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (for most professional roles)

• Training: Hands On, Team Customized, Mentorship

• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $125,500 - $188,000 USD annually. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role at Smith + Nephew. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

In addition to base pay, we provide competitive bonus and benefits, which include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, and a variety of wellness offerings.

We anticipate the application window for this opening to close on 08.24.2026.

Smith+ Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.