Distinguished AI Engineer

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 274,000 - 371,000; Full time

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Distinguished AI Engineer to lead AI capabilities within a security-focused technology platform. This senior technical leader will shape the vision, multi-year roadmap, and deployment of AI, ML, LLMs, and agentic systems in alignment with business goals and customer needs.

You will mentor senior engineers, elevate engineering quality, and champion responsible-AI practices while guiding the organization through a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Qualifications

• 16+ years of software or ML engineering experience.
• 2+ years leading LLM or agentic AI systems design.

Responsibilities

• Define the AI technology vision and multi-year roadmap for the security platform.
• Shape investment and model strategy, including build, buy, or partner decisions.
• Guide high-impact AI initiatives and help solve complex technical challenges.
• Establish engineering and responsible-AI standards for AI system development.
• Align AI strategy with business goals and customer needs with executive leadership.
• Anticipate shifts in AI and the threat landscape and drive organizational changes.
• Mentor and develop senior engineering talent while fostering AI leadership.

Skills

AI Leadership

Technical Strategy

Mentoring

Education

PhD preferred

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Distinguished AI Engineer to join the team of a leader in the Information Technology space.

This senior technical leadership role will define the vision and roadmap for AI capabilities within a security-focused technology platform. You will help shape how advanced AI, LLMs, and agentic systems are applied to solve complex engineering challenges while supporting business goals and customer needs. The position partners closely with executive leadership and senior engineering teams to set standards, evaluate strategic options, and influence the direction of AI across the organization.

You will also play a key role in raising engineering quality, guiding responsible-AI practices, and mentoring senior talent as the team scales its AI capabilities in a fast-moving threat landscape.

Location: Remote

Compensation: $273,900 – $370,500 annually

Responsibilities

• Define the AI technology vision and multi-year roadmap for the company's security platform
• Shape investment and model strategy, including build, buy, or partner decisions
• Guide high-impact AI initiatives and help solve complex technical challenges
• Establish engineering and responsible-AI standards for AI system development
• Align AI strategy with business goals and customer needs in partnership with executive leadership
• Anticipate shifts in AI and the threat landscape and drive organizational changes as needed
• Mentor and develop senior engineering talent while fostering AI leadership

Qualifications

• 16+ years of experience in software or ML engineering, including 2+ years leading LLM or agentic AI systems design
• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or equivalent industry experience preferred
• Proven track record of defining technical strategy with company-wide impact