Director of Frontier AI — Client-Embedded Research

TELUS Digital; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 211,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote flexibility

Performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

TELUS Digital seeks a Director, Forward Deployed Researcher to lead frontier AI research embedded within high-value client teams. You will drive production-ready AI systems, set technical direction for enterprise clients, and manage a team of researchers and engineers.

You will embed with clients across regulated industries, shaping AI strategy, delivering bespoke solutions, and building a world-class capability that scales across TELUS Digital.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on software engineering and AI/ML experience with production systems
• 4+ years in senior leadership or management roles
• Proven ability to serve as a strategic advisor to C-level stakeholders
• Deep expertise in frontier GenAI/LLMs (RAG, vector databases, multi-agent systems)
• Hands-on proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and AI/ML frameworks
• Excellent communication across technical, research, and executive audiences
• Self-directed, autonomous at client sites, leadership without direct authority

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded client engagements with Fortune 500 enterprises
• Design and deliver production AI solutions grounded in frontier research
• Mentor and scale Forward Deployed Researchers and Engineers
• Establish best practices, frameworks, and accelerators
• Ensure security, compliance, and enterprise-grade deployment
• Collaborate with TELUS Digital teams to influence product roadmaps
• Publish technical work and contribute to thought leadership

Skills

Senior leadership

AI/ML

Strategic advisory

GenAI/LLMs

Cloud platforms

Excellent communication

Bachelor's degree (CS/Engineering/AI)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI/ML, or related field

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

PyTorch

TensorFlow

LangChain

Hugging Face

Job description

TELUS Digital seeks a Director, Forward Deployed Researcher to lead frontier AI research embedded within high-value client teams. You will drive production-ready AI systems, set technical direction for enterprise clients, and manage a team of researchers and engineers.

You will embed with clients across regulated industries, shaping AI strategy, delivering bespoke solutions, and building a world-class capability that scales across TELUS Digital.