Principal AI Specialist

Bechtel Corporation; Chandler (AZ); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 231,000; Part time

Job summary

Bechtel Corporation seeks a Principal AI Specialist to act as the senior technical authority for digital and AI solutions within the Manufacturing & Technology GBU. The role spans across functions and projects, translating business needs into deployable AI capabilities and advancing standards with architectural ownership.

The position leads the definition and institutionalization of AI-enabled work processes for integrated EPC execution, including automation, data ops, and generative AI

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree with 13–15 years of relevant experience (or 17–19 years).
• Proven track record deploying AI/analytics at enterprise scale.
• Ability to lead without direct authority across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Owns the technical architecture and roadmap for the M&T digital and AI portfolio across projects.
• Leads evaluation, design, deployment, and governance of AI, data, automation, and digital solutions.
• Defines technical performance, quality, and acceptance requirements and ensures delivery readiness.
• Resolves complex technical challenges spanning projects, systems, vendors, and organizations.
• Ensures compliance with security, privacy, data governance, and contract requirements.
• Mentors technical professionals and develops adoption/training resources.

Skills

AI deployment at scale

Data platforms & pipelines

Security and data governance

Leadership without authority

Executive communication

Program management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Tools

Cloud data platforms

LLM deployments

Data engineering tools

Job description

• Relocation Authorized: National - Family
• Telework Type: Part-Time Telework
• Work Location: Reston, VA, Chandler, AZ, Houston, TX
• Salary Range: For Reston, VA Location only $159,700 - $231,000 annually (salary range is based on market data; final salary offered is determined by education, experience, and qualifications of the applicant.)

Project Overview

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.

Core to Bechtel is our Vision, Values and Commitments. They are what we believe, what customers can expect, and how we deliver. Learn more about our extraordinary teams building inspiring projects in our Impact Report.

Job Summary

The Principal AI Specialist serves as the senior technical authority for digital and artificial intelligence solutions across the Manufacturing & Technology GBU. The role sits within the M&T Digital Solutions organization and works across functions and projects, translating business and execution needs into deployable AI digital capability. It is a senior individual-contributor position: influence is exercised through technical depth, architecture ownership, and the ability to move a solution from concept through pilot to production at scale.

The incumbent leads the definition, design, and institutionalization of AI and data-driven work processes that support integrated EPC execution — including engineering automation, data operations, digital solutions for site and fabrication, and the responsible deployment of generative and analytical AI. The position is expected to shape GBU-level standards rather than administer them, to represent M&T in enterprise and corporate technical forums, and to develop the capability of less experienced specialists across the organization.

This position is designated as part‑time telework per our global telework policy and will require at least three days of in‑person attendance per week at the assigned office or project. Weekly in‑person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor, in consultation with functional or project leadership.

Major Responsibilities

• Owns the technical architecture and roadmap for the M&T digital and AI portfolio, ensuring alignment with business priorities and project needs.
• Leads evaluation, selection, design, development, and deployment of AI, data, automation, and digital solutions.
• Establishes standards, reference architectures, and governance to enable scalable, repeatable solutions across projects.
• Defines technical performance, quality, and acceptance requirements and provides assurance of solution delivery and operational readiness.
• Resolves complex technical challenges spanning projects, systems, vendors, and functional organizations.
• Ensures compliance with security, privacy, data governance, responsible AI, and contractual requirements.
• Supports business development, client engagement, and strategic growth through technical leadership and innovation.
• Mentors technical professionals, develops adoption and training resources, and strengthens digital and AI capability across the GBU.
• Monitors emerging technologies and recommends opportunities for adoption, investment, or pilot implementation.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Requires bachelor's or master's degree (or international equivalent) and 13-15 years of relevant experience or 17-19 years of relevant work experience.

Required Knowledge And Skills

• Demonstrated record of taking AI or advanced analytics solutions from concept through production deployment at enterprise or multi-project scale, with measurable business outcomes.
• In‑depth working knowledge of project execution work processes across engineering, procurement, and construction, and of the data these processes produce and consume.
• Expert‑level command of modern data and AI platforms, including cloud data services, data pipeline and integration design, model development and evaluation, and the deployment of large language model applications with retrieval and grounding.
• Working knowledge of enterprise security architecture, identity and access control, and the handling of confidential and client‑restricted data.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑discipline teams without direct authority, and to influence functional and project leadership through technical credibility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical recommendations to executive audiences and to client representatives.
• Ability to manage several concurrent initiatives, set priorities under competing demands, and maintain progress across geographically distributed teams.
• Willingness to travel to project and fabrication sites as required.

Total Rewards/Benefits

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world’s toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards.

Diverse Teams Build The Extraordinary

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong-where colleagues feel part of "One Team," respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably.

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e‑mail their request to [e-mail].