AI Technical Lead

Mesa Associates; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Associates is seeking an AI Technical Lead to translate approved AI opportunities into practical, secure, measurable business solutions. You will lead discovery, define architectures, prototype solutions, and coordinate delivery with IT, governance, and risk teams.

You will evaluate platforms, build PoCs, ensure reliability and cost control, and maintain roadmaps and backlogs while partnering with multiple business units to drive enterprise AI initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in technology leadership, software delivery, or enterprise architecture.
• 3+ years delivering or evaluating enterprise AI, machine learning, analytics, or LLM-enabled solutions.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL with cloud AI services, LLM platforms, APIs, integrations, solution architecture, and AI delivery data patterns.
• Experience moving solutions from feasibility assessment and PoC through testing, implementation, monitoring, and support.
• Ability to work across multiple business units, IT, cybersecurity, data governance, privacy, legal, vendor, and governance teams while explaining technical decisions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI intake discussions, clarify business needs, and define expected outcomes and success measures.
• Evaluate priority workflows for business value, feasibility, data readiness, integration needs, complexity, and supportability.
• Design AI solution approaches, reusable patterns, integrations, human review points, and operating requirements.
• Evaluate AI platforms, models, vendors, and products, including security and third-party risk considerations.
• Build or guide proofs of concept and validate accuracy, reliability, usability, cost, and technical fit.
• Coordinate development, testing, deployment readiness, access, support, release activities, and operational monitoring.
• Support governance reviews with recommendations, evidence, status updates, and escalation of material technical risks.
• Maintain the AI roadmap and backlog, align delivery priorities, and help teams use approved AI capabilities effectively.

Skills

AI leadership

Technical program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Python

SQL

Azure AI

LLM platforms

APIs & Integrations

Job description

Information Technology / Operations

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our "mesainc.com" domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

The AI Technical Lead helps turn approved AI opportunities into practical, secure, and measurable business solutions.
This role evaluates use cases, shapes solution architecture, guides prototypes, coordinates delivery, and prepares AI capabilities for operational use while partnering with IT and governance and control functions on policy, approval, and risk decisions.

What You Will Do

• Lead AI intake discussions, clarify business needs, and define expected outcomes and success measures.
• Evaluate priority workflows for business value, feasibility, data readiness, integration needs, complexity, and supportability.
• Design AI solution approaches, reusable patterns, integrations, human review points, and operating requirements.
• Evaluate AI platforms, models, vendors, and products, including security and third-party risk considerations.
• Build or guide proofs of concept and validate accuracy, reliability, usability, cost, and technical fit.
• Coordinate development, testing, deployment readiness, access, support, release activities, and operational monitoring.
• Support governance reviews with recommendations, evidence, status updates, and escalation of material technical risks.
• Maintain the AI roadmap and backlog, align delivery priorities, and help teams use approved AI capabilities effectively.

What We Are Looking For

• 7+ years in technology leadership, software delivery, technical program management, enterprise architecture, data science, or a related field.
• 3+ years delivering or evaluating enterprise AI, machine learning, analytics, or LLM-enabled solutions.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, with experience using cloud AI services, LLM platforms, APIs, integrations, solution architecture, and AI delivery data patterns.
• Experience moving solutions from feasibility assessment and proof of concept through testing, implementation, monitoring, and support.
• Ability to work across multiple business units, IT, cybersecurity, data governance, privacy, legal, vendor, and governance teams while explaining technical decisions clearly.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Data Analytics, Information Technology, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Master's degree in a relevant technical or analytical field.
• Experience with Azure AI, Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, or similar enterprise AI platforms.
• Experience with MLOps or LLMOps, including evaluation, observability, reliability, lifecycle management, and cost control.
• Working knowledge of responsible AI, NIST AI RMF, privacy, security, and enterprise risk processes.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means AI opportunities are assessed consistently, high-impact workflows are prototyped and validated, and approved solutions move through a disciplined path from prototype to production.

The right candidate will help ensure AI capabilities are reliable, measurable, supportable, cost-aware, and adopted effectively by the business.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors

Bachelors

Experience

Required3 years

Delivering or evaluating enterprise AI, machine learning, analytics, or LLM-enabled solutions.

7 years

Technology leadership, software delivery, technical program management, enterprise architecture, data science, or a related field.

Behaviors

Required

Functional Expert:Considered a thought leader on a subject

Detail Oriented:Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter:Inspired to perform without outside help

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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