Lead AI Engineer

DataJobs; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

DataJobs in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Lead AI Engineer to provide technical leadership for full-stack ML and GenAI apps supporting legal and business processes. You will own architecture, design, and development across frontend and backend ML/GenAI workflows with end-to-end ownership.

The role is onsite in Los Angeles, with a hybrid option possible. Compensation ranges USD 190,000–210,000 per year and requires a Master’s degree with 10+ years in software/AI leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Information Systems, CS, Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• 10+ years of software development and AI experience.
• 7+ years leading projects and architecting solutions in industry.
• 10+ years working with agile teams.
• Experience building and productizing real-world AI models.
• 6+ years in machine learning, applied AI or data science roles.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority guiding architectural decisions for AI/ML solutions.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with stakeholders and engineering teams.
• Provide mentoring and establish engineering best practices.
• Review and recommend maintenance and enhancements for production apps.
• Oversee end-to-end lifecycle of AI/ML applications from concept to delivery.
• Protect highly sensitive information and ensure compliance.

Skills

React

TypeScript

Node.js

Vue.js

microservices

serverless

monolithic

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in Information Systems, CS, Engineering, Data Science, or related field

Job description

The Lead AI Engineer will provide technical leadership for full-stack Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) applications that support legal and business processes. The role spans architecture, design, and development across frontend and backend ML/GenAI workflows, with end-to-end lifecycle ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority, applying deep industry expertise to guide architectural decisions and ensure high-quality implementation of AI/ML solutions.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives by collaborating with Innovation Attorneys, stakeholders, and the engineering team to define technical requirements and deliver solutions aligned with organizational goals and strategies.
• Provide technical leadership through mentoring, expert guidance, and the establishment of engineering best practices.
• Work with leadership by reviewing and recommending maintenance and enhancements for existing production applications.
• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of AI/ML applications from conceptualization and design through delivery and ongoing support.
• Protect and maintain highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information retained by Latham & Watkins.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading the design and implementation of enterprise software architectures, including microservices, serverless, and monolithic patterns, with the ability to evaluate tradeoffs and select approaches based on business and technical requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in modern web development frameworks and languages, including React, TypeScript, and Node.js, with experience architecting, building, and maintaining full-stack applications.
• Familiarity with alternative web frameworks such as Vue.js, along with strong understanding of component-based architecture, state management, and responsive design principles.
• A master's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field (preferably).
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in software development and AI.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading projects and architecting solutions in industry settings.
• Minimum of 7 years working with agile teams.
• Experience building and productizing real-world AI models and systems.
• Minimum of 6 years in industry roles focused on machine learning, applied AI, or data science roles (preferably).

Technologies

• microservices
• serverless
• monolithic
• React
• TypeScript
• Node.js
• Vue.js

About the Role

The Lead AI Engineer is part of the Technology & Information Services team and will lead the architecture, design, and development of full-stack ML and GenAI applications that enhance legal and business processes. This includes designing and architecting full-stack solutions for ML/GenAI workflows, integrating frontend and backend components to deliver robust and scalable solutions.

The position is located in the Global Services Office in Los Angeles, CA and is onsite. The role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that enables hybrid and in-office presence.

Compensation

USD 190,000 - 210,000 per year.

Education

Master's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.