Group AI Technical Specialist

Jobtailor; Lancaster (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior AI strategist to lead the development and execution of our Group AI strategy across divisional manufacturing units. You will define roadmaps for vision systems, welding analytics, and OT-driven automation, while ensuring governance, data privacy, and cybersecurity standards are met.

The role requires strong expertise in AI/ML, industrial automation, and data strategy, with a track record of delivering scalable enterprise AI initiatives and ROI-driven business cases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience integrating AI solutions with industrial automation, SCADA, MES, historian, or OT platforms.
• Strong proficiency in Ignition scripting (Python) and Ignition modules.
• Solid understanding of industrial automation protocols (OPC, Modbus, MQTT).
• Experience with SQL databases (MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) and SQL query optimization.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, data science, machine learning, or AI solution deployment.
• Experience developing and deploying machine vision, deep learning, predictive analytics, or industrial AI solutions within manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Python, Java, or other programming languages commonly used for AI/ML development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Group AI Strategy aligned with divisional manufacturing and business priorities.
• Build AI roadmaps for visual inspection, welding analytics, assembly optimization, and OT-driven automation.
• Define and enforce AI governance and ethical standards, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and validation frameworks.
• Advise leadership on AI maturity, risks, and long-term capability development.
• Lead discovery, evaluation, and prioritization of AI opportunities in robotics, welding, visual inspection, assembly, and connected manufacturing systems.
• Build business cases and ROI models for AI projects with Plant Management teams.
• Oversee pilot deployments, technical reviews, capability assessments, and enterprise scaling.
• Ensure AI projects follow standardized design, documentation, testing, and validation approaches.
• Serve as enterprise subject matter expert for AI/ML, generative AI, machine vision, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation.
• Partner with OT/Controls teams on data acquisition, model deployment, and edge computing requirements.
• Support MLOps practices and plant-level and group-level deployments.
• Support plants and engineering teams with data strategy, model training, and production rollout.
• Maintain a central library of AI project documents, requirements, and validation results.
• Stay current on emerging AI technologies, industrial automation trends, and OT cybersecurity standards.
• Provide support and training to internal team members.
• Travel to manufacturing divisions, innovative suppliers, workshops, and training seminars as required.

Skills

AI strategy

Industrial automation integration

Data analytics

Machine learning

Python

Problem solving

Collaboration

Communication

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering

Tools

Ignition scripting (Python)

Ignition modules

SCADA

MES

OPC

Modbus

MQTT

SQL databases

Edge computing

MLOps

Job description

• Develop and maintain the Group AI Strategy aligned with divisional manufacturing and business priorities
• Build AI roadmaps for visual inspection, welding analytics, assembly optimization, and OT-driven automation
• Define and enforce AI governance and ethical standards, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and validation frameworks
• Advise leadership on AI maturity, risks, and long-term capability development
• Lead discovery, evaluation, and prioritization of AI opportunities in robotics, welding, visual inspection, assembly, and connected manufacturing systems
• Build business cases and ROI models for AI projects with Plant Management teams
• Oversee pilot deployments, technical reviews, capability assessments, and enterprise scaling
• Ensure AI projects follow standardized design, documentation, testing, and validation approaches
• Serve as enterprise subject matter expert for AI/ML, generative AI, machine vision, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation
• Partner with OT/Controls teams on data acquisition, model deployment, and edge computing requirements
• Support MLOps practices and plant-level and group-level deployments
• Support plants and engineering teams with data strategy, model training, and production rollout
• Maintain a central library of AI project documents, requirements, and validation results
• Stay current on emerging AI technologies, industrial automation trends, and OT cybersecurity standards
• Provide support and training to internal team members
• Travel to manufacturing divisions, innovative suppliers, workshops, and training seminars as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field
• Experience integrating AI solutions with industrial automation, SCADA, MES, historian, or OT platforms
• Strong proficiency in Ignition scripting (Python) and knowledge of Ignition modules (Vision, Perspective, Reporting, etc.)
• Solid understanding of industrial automation protocols (OPC, Modbus, MQTT, etc.)
• Experience with SQL databases (MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) and SQL query optimization
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, data science, machine learning, or AI solution deployment
• Experience developing and deploying machine vision, deep learning, predictive analytics, or industrial AI solutions within manufacturing environments
• Experience with Python, Java, or other programming languages commonly used for AI/ML development
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work on complex technical issues
• Knowledge of networking and IT infrastructure in industrial environments
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with big data technologies or data analytics
• Available to work flexible hours as required
• Willing to travel as required

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and maintaining AI strategies aligned with manufacturing priorities, including governance, ethical standards, and technical deployment. Proficient in integrating AI solutions with industrial automation and data strategies, while providing support and training to teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• AI Strategy Development
• Ignition Scripting (Python)
• Industrial Automation Integration
• Machine Vision Deployment
• Data Analytics

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• AI Governance
• Predictive Analytics
• SQL Databases
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Data Privacy
• Cybersecurity
• Technical Reviews
• ROI Modeling
• Data Strategy

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving
• Analytical Skills
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Troubleshooting

Industry Keywords

• Industrial Automation
• Manufacturing
• AI Solutions
• Data Science
• Connected Manufacturing

Tools & Technologies

• Ignition Modules
• SCADA
• MES
• OPC
• Modbus
• MQTT
• Big Data Technologies
• Edge Computing
• MLOps
• Data Acquisition