Lead Software Engineer

Machine Learning Technologies, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Machine Learning Technologies, LLC in Chicago, IL seeks a hands-on Lead Software Engineer to design, develop, and scale software solutions leveraging cloud technologies and emerging AI capabilities. You will drive architecture, mentor engineers, and translate business needs into production-ready systems.

The role emphasizes modern APIs, microservices, and secure, scalable applications, with responsibilities spanning design reviews, governance, and collaboration across product, security, and data

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including development of complex applications, APIs, distributed systems, or cloud-native platforms.
• Experience leading technical delivery across the full SDLC, from requirements and architecture through deployment.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture, API integration, automated testing, CI/CD, DevOps, and production support.
• Working knowledge of cloud platforms, containerization, infrastructure automation, and modern integration patterns.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, development, testing, and deployment of scalable software applications and cloud-native solutions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies including Generative AI, LLMs, agentic AI, RAG, APIs, automation, and data-driven apps.
• Translate business requirements into technical designs, roadmaps, and implementation plans.
• Develop secure, scalable, maintainable apps using modern languages, APIs, microservices, and distributed systems.
• Mentor engineers, conduct design reviews, and establish reusable engineering standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with product, architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data, and business teams.
• Define proof-of-concept criteria, automated testing, performance metrics, monitoring, and production readiness standards.
• Identify risks, security concerns, dependencies, and operational challenges through SDLC.

Job description

US Citizen, Green Card, H-1B, OPT-EAD, CPT, Other

Work Authorization: US Citizen, Green Card, OPT-EAD, CPT, H-1B, H4-EAD, Other

Job Title:Lead Software Engineer

Location:Chicago, IL

Duration:6 Months + Extension

Bill Rate:$71/hour (C2C)

Job Type:W-2, 1099, C2C

Client:To Be Discussed Later

Work Authorization:US Citizen, Green Card, OPT-EAD, CPT, H-1B, H4-EAD, Other

Job Description

We are seeking a hands-on Lead Software Engineer – Emerging Technology & AI Cloud Solutions to design, develop, and scale innovative software solutions using modern engineering practices, cloud technologies, and emerging AI capabilities. The ideal candidate will combine strong software development expertise with technical leadership, solution architecture, and the ability to take proof-of-concept solutions into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, development, testing, and deployment of scalable software applications and cloud-native solutions.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including Generative AI, LLMs, agentic AI, RAG, APIs, automation, and data-driven applications.
• Translate business requirements into technical designs, architecture patterns, roadmaps, and implementation plans.
• Develop secure, scalable, maintainable applications using modern programming languages, APIs, microservices, and distributed systems.
• Guide and mentor engineers, conduct design reviews, and establish reusable engineering standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with product, architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data, and business teams.
• Establish proof-of-concept success criteria, automated testing, performance metrics, monitoring, and production readiness standards.
• Identify technical risks, security concerns, integration dependencies, and operational challenges throughout the SDLC.
• Support responsible AI adoption, including model evaluation, governance, data privacy, security, and compliance.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including hands-on development of complex applications, APIs, distributed systems, or cloud-native platforms.
• Experience leading technical delivery across the full SDLC, from requirements and architecture through development, testing, and deployment.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture, API integration, automated testing, CI/CD, DevOps, and production support.
• Working knowledge of cloud platforms, containerization, infrastructure automation, and modern integration patterns.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and technical leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, agentic workflows, RAG, vector databases, machine learning, or prompt engineering.
• Experience moving emerging technology solutions from proof of concept to production.
• Knowledge of responsible AI, model evaluation, guardrails, cybersecurity, data privacy, and enterprise governance.
• Familiarity with AWS, Azure, or GCP; Kubernetes; serverless computing; microservices; event-driven architecture; and infrastructure-as-code.
• Experience mentoring engineers and influencing technical direction across teams.
• Cloud, AI/ML, or Software Architecture certifications are a plus.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship/ immigration status, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.