Lead AI/ML Engineering

S R INTERNATIONAL INC; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work from home options

Job summary

S R International Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, seeks a Lead AI/ML Engineering to lead AI initiatives from strategy to scalable deployment. You will oversee AI engineers, analysts, and operations, translating business goals into technical requirements while ensuring governance, ethics, and data privacy compliance.

The role emphasizes lifecycle management, risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and delivering measurable business value, with a hybrid work setup at the State of Arizona location.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of data science, ML, or AI engineering experience.
• At least 2+ years leading AI teams.
• Experience with AI architectures and ML lifecycles (MLOps).
• Governance, risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and data privacy.
• Microsoft OpenAI experience.
• Strong PM and stakeholder communication.
• Degree in CS/AI/DS/Statistics or related field.

Responsibilities

• Define roadmaps for enterprise AI initiatives.
• Bridge data science, MLOps, and software teams with stakeholders.
• Hire, mentor, and manage AI specialists.
• Oversee AI model deployment, monitoring, and retirement.
• Coordinate governance, risk assessments, and data privacy compliance.
• Track latency, availability, accuracy, and ROI.
• Deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
• Explain AI concepts to executives, product teams, and clients.

Skills

Data Science

Machine Learning

AI Engineering

AI Governance

MLOps

OpenAI

Communication

Project Management

Compliance

Azure OpenAI

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/AI/DS

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

LangChain

Azure

AWS

GCP

OpenAI

Job description

Job Title: Lead AI/ML Engineering

Job Code: AZ 14357

Client: State of Arizona – Arizona Department of Economic Security (AZDES)

Location: Phoenix, Arizona (Hybrid)

Contract Duration:Long-term Contract

Work Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (40 hours/week)

Work Location Address: 1400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Closing Date: November 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM

Position Overview

The State of Arizona is seeking an experienced AI/ML Engineering & Governance Manager to lead artificial intelligence initiatives from strategic planning through scalable and responsible deployment.

The selected candidate will oversee a team of AI engineers, Business Analysts, and operations specialists. This role involves translating business objectives into technical requirements, managing AI/ML model lifecycles, and ensuring AI solutions deliver measurable business value while maintaining ethical, regulatory, and data privacy compliance.

Required Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, or AI Engineering.
• At least 2+ years of experience leading and managing AI teams.
• Experience with AI/ML architectures and machine learning lifecycles (MLOps).
• Governance and compliance experience, including risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and data privacy compliance.
• Microsoft OpenAI experience.
• Strong project management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, or a related technical field.

Preferred Skills

• OpenAI experience.
• Experience with modern AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and LangChain.
• Experience with cloud AI services across Azure, AWS, or GCP.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define roadmaps, scope, and objectives for enterprise AI and machine learning initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Bridge technical teams, including data science, MLOps, and software engineering, with business stakeholders.
• Team Management: Hire, mentor, and manage AI/ML specialists, providing coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Model Lifecycle Management: Oversee AI model deployment, monitoring, data drift tracking, and retirement.
• Governance & Compliance: Coordinate risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and data privacy compliance.
• Performance Metrics: Track latency, model availability, accuracy, and business ROI.
• Project Delivery: Deliver complex technical projects on time and within budget using Agile or traditional project management methodologies.
• Executive Communication: Explain complex AI and algorithmic concepts to executive leadership, product teams, and clients.

Primary Skills

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, AI Engineering, AI Governance, Microsoft Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, MLOps, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, Data Science, Model Validation, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Data Privacy, Team Management, Strategic Leadership, Project Management, Performance Metrics, AWS, GCP, and Agile Methodology.

Flexible work from home options available.