Lead Machine Learning Engineer

People In AI; New York (NY); On-site; USD 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

People In AI in New York, NY is seeking a Lead Machine Learning Engineer to join a greenfield AI function with direct access to senior leadership. You will prototype and scale AI solutions, including fine‑tuning LLMs, building embeddings, and MVPs from scratch.

You will own end‑to‑end projects, collaborate across teams to solve high‑value business problems, evaluate AI vendors, and help define infrastructure and tooling standards for production systems.

Qualifications

• Strong CS fundamentals; advanced degree preferred or equivalent practical expertise.
• Proven track record fine‑tuning models and building AI solutions beyond API integrations.
• Python fluency with production experience using PyTorch and Hugging Face.
• End‑to‑end ownership of projects in fast‑paced or high-stakes environments.
• Exposure to NLP, embeddings, or visual models in real-world settings.

Responsibilities

• Build, fine‑tune and deploy LLMs and custom embedding models.
• Own full‑stack prototypes that evolve into operational tools.
• Collaborate across functions to solve high‑value business problems using AI.
• Evaluate and integrate AI/ML vendors and tools, setting standards from the ground up.
• Tackle complex, unstructured data problems and deliver elegant solutions.
• Be a founding force — your success may pave the way for growing the AI function.

Skills

CS fundamentals

Fine-tuning models

Python

PyTorch

Hugging Face

End-to-end ownership

NLP/embeddings

Education

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PyTorch

Hugging Face

Job description

Job Title: Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Compensation: $500,000 - $700,000 TC (base + bonus)

Location: New York, NY

Company Overview

A leading investment platform managing multi‑billion‑dollar capital across high‑growth industries such as financial services, healthcare, and technology. This firm is recognized for combining deep sector expertise with forward‑thinking innovation strategies, actively exploring AI applications to enhance internal operations and portfolio value creation.

Introduction

My client is hiring the first AI/ML engineer into a greenfield function, with direct access to senior leadership and influence across the firm’s operations and portfolio. This is a rare opportunity to define how a large‑scale investment firm uses AI - from core infrastructure to production‑grade tooling - and shape what the function becomes.

Role Summary

You’ll prototype and scale AI solutions that matter. Expect hands‑on work in fine‑tuning LLMs, building custom embeddings, and developing MVPs from scratch. Your audience includes C‑level execs and technical partners - and your remit spans internal efficiency to cross‑portfolio product enablement.

What You’ll Do

• Build, fine‑tune and deploy LLMs and custom embedding models.
• Own full‑stack prototypes that evolve into operational tools.
• Collaborate across functions to define and solve high‑value business problems using AI.
• Evaluate and integrate AI/ML vendors and tools, setting standards from the ground up.
• Tackle complex, unstructured data problems and deliver elegant solutions.
• Be a founding force - your success may pave the way for growing the AI function.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong CS fundamentals (advanced degree preferred or equivalent practical expertise).
• Track record of fine‑tuning models and building AI solutions beyond API integrations.
• Python fluency and production experience with frameworks like PyTorch and Hugging Face.
• End‑to‑end project ownership in fast‑paced or high‑stakes environments.
• Exposure to NLP, embeddings, or visual models in real‑world settings.
• NLP, LLMs, unstructured data workflows
• Lightweight front‑end/back‑end development for MVPs
• AI/ML infra & tooling (from scratch)

Why Join?

• First-in-seat opportunity: set the strategy, build the tooling, shape the roadmap.
• Work directly with senior leaders and decision‑makers — impact is immediate and visible.
• Diverse scope: internal tools and cross‑portfolio opportunities in tech-forward businesses.
• High autonomy with institutional backing: a unique blend of startup energy and platform stability.
• Long‑term career flexibility: expand the team, move into portfolio ventures, or carve a strategic path internally.

About People In AI

People In AI is a specialist recruitment partner focused on connecting exceptional AI talent with leading‑edge organizations. We operate with a commitment to excellence, transparency and long‑term partnership for both candidates and clients.