Emerging Technology & AI Strategy Lead

Lamp Rynearson; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamp Rynearson, an Omaha-based civil engineering firm, is creating a ground-floor role to lead AI adoption and emerging technology across the company. The successful candidate will evaluate new tech, build internal tools, and drive practical governance and literacy across engineering and operations.

Reporting to the COO, this role will design a technology roadmap, coordinate with IT and CAD groups, and champion measurable ROI on technology initiatives while ensuring security and governance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent hands-on tech experience.
• 2–10 years in a technology or IT strategy role.
• Proficiency in Python or JavaScript to build internal tools.
• Hands-on experience applying AI/ML tools to real business problems.
• Strong ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical staff.
• Comfortable operating as a “team of one” reporting to executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Set the firm's AI and emerging technology strategy and build a practical roadmap across engineering, project delivery, and operations.
• Continuously research new software and technology relevant to civil engineering and make build/buy/adopt recommendations.
• Coordinate activities with the IT Group and CAD Manager.
• Design, build, and maintain internal tools, scripts, and automations to solve workflow problems.
• Be the go-to resource for technology questions and provide hands-on training for staff.
• Partner with COO and leadership on budget, priorities, and ROI reporting.
• Establish guardrails around data security, responsible AI use, and vendor evaluation.
• Drive change management and technology literacy across engineers.

Skills

AI strategy

Self-directed

Strong communicator

Programming (Python/JavaScript)

Technology evaluation

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, information systems, or related field

Tools

Civil 3D

ArcGIS

Bentley

Revit

Job description

Overview

Lamp Rynearson, Inc. is a full-service civil engineering firm of 185 people, delivering projects for public and private clients. We've built our reputation on technical rigor and long-term client relationships, and we're now investing seriously in the technology and AI capabilities that will keep us competitive for the next 20 years.

We're at the point where AI and emerging technology are genuinely changing how civil engineering firms deliver work — and we’re seeking a full-time employee whose primary responsibility is guiding our adoption and incorporation of AI and emerging technology into our daily processes. We're creating a brand-new role, reporting directly to the COO, to lead that effort company-wide. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build a technology function from scratch at a firm that designs the infrastructure people rely on every day.

This is a newly created, company-wide role reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer — not embedded in a single department or project team. Twelve months in, success looks like: a clear, practical AI and technology roadmap that leadership trusts; several real tools or automations you've built that staff are actually using day to day; a measurable lift in the firm's baseline technology literacy; and a reputation among engineering staff as the person who makes their tools work better — not another mandate from corporate.

Qualifications include…

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, information systems, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 2 - 10 years in a technology, software development, data, or IT strategy role, including direct experience evaluating and implementing new technology.
• Working proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar) sufficient to build internal tools and automate workflows.
• Practical, hands‑on experience applying AI/ML tools — LLM-based tools, automation platforms, low-code/no-code AI — to real business problems, not just familiarity with the concepts.
• Strong communicator who can translate technical ideas for non-technical staff and translate business problems into technical solutions.
• Comfortable operating as a “team of one” — self-directed, able to set your own priorities, and used to reporting directly to executive leadership.

Preferred…

• Experience in AEC (architecture/engineering/construction), civil engineering, or another technical/regulated industry, with familiarity with tools such as Civil 3D, ArcGIS or other GIS platforms, Bentley, or Revit.
• Experience automating engineering workflows (e.g., Dynamo, Grasshopper, Civil 3D API, ArcPy) or integrating engineering software.
• Prior experience in an innovation, digital practice, VDC, or IT strategy role.
• Familiarity with data governance, cybersecurity fundamentals, and responsible AI frameworks.
• Experience designing training or upskilling programs for non-technical staff.

Responsibilities…

• Set the firm's AI and emerging technology strategy — evaluate what's genuinely useful versus hype, and build a practical, sequenced roadmap for adoption across engineering, project delivery, and operations.
• Continuously research new software and technology relevant to civil engineering practice — from AI-assisted design and drafting tools to project management, GIS, and data platforms — and make clear build/buy/adopt recommendations.
• Coordinate your activities with our IT Group and our CAD Manager.
• Design, build, and maintain internal tools, scripts, and automations that solve real workflow problems for engineering and operations staff.
• Be the firm's go‑to resource for technology and programming questions — hands‑on troubleshooting, support, and informal training for staff across every office and discipline.
• Partner with the COO and firm leadership on budget, priorities, and reporting progress and ROI on technology initiatives.
• Establish practical guardrails around data security, responsible AI use, and vendor evaluation so adoption doesn't outrun governance.
• Drive change management and technology literacy across a workforce of engineers who are experts in their field — not necessarily in software.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Contact:Human Resources14710 West Dodge Road, Suite 100Omaha, Nebraska 68154Phone: [phone]

EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled

Location14710 W. Dodge Rd, STE 100, Omaha, NE 68154