Senior AI/ML Engineer

Velir; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Velir is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to design, build, and deploy production-grade AI/ML systems for client-facing and internal products. You will lead scalable ML pipelines, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and mentor engineers while influencing technical direction.

Remote-first environment based in the United States, with emphasis on practical deployment, governance, and measurable impact for clients ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 brands.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in ML engineering, AI engineering, or related fields, with production deployment experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL; experience with PyTorch and HuggingFace.
• Experience building LLM applications, including RAG, embeddings, and vector search.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS or Azure; e.g., SageMaker, Bedrock, Azure ML).
• Strong understanding of ML fundamentals: data design, training, evaluation, and experimentation.
• Familiarity with LLM alignment techniques (e.g., SFT, DPO, RL).
• Experience with MLOps practices: CI/CD, monitoring, retraining, and experiment tracking.
• Proficiency working with complex, multi-source datasets and defining evaluation strategies.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals (testing, modularity, code review).
• Experience mentoring engineers and influencing technical direction.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Languages: Python, SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable ML systems, including supervised, unsupervised, and LLM-based solutions.
• Translate research and prototypes into production-ready systems.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify high-impact AI/ML opportunities and define optimal technical approaches.
• Provide technical mentorship and contribute to team upskilling.

Skills

Python

SQL

PyTorch

HuggingFace

LLM applications

RAG

Embeddings

Vector search

MLOps

CI/CD

Mentoring

Communication

Cloud platforms

Tools

AWS

Azure

SageMaker

Bedrock

HuggingFace tooling

CI/CD pipelines

MLflow

Vector databases

Job description

Velir is an established mid-sized agency with a top-tier portfolio of clients, ranging from the world’s largest non-profits to Fortune 500 brands. As of 2023, Velir acquired Brooklyn Data Company, a premier data and analytics consultancy focused on leadership, process improvement, implementation, and advanced analytics.

At Velir, we believe people are our greatest asset. Our culture is built on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and continued improvement. We strive for excellence in everything we do, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Our success is driven by a shared passion for making a positive impact on our customers, our communities and each other. We are a remote first company that offers competitive pay and excellent benefits.

Overview

Senior AI/ML Engineers are senior individual contributors who design, build, and deploy production-grade AI/ML systems for both client-facing and internal products. They partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business needs into scalable ML and LLM-based solutions.

This role does not typically include direct reports but requires strong technical leadership, mentorship, and influence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable ML systems, including supervised, unsupervised, and LLM-based solutions
• Translate research and prototypes into production-ready systems
• Partner with stakeholders to identify high-impact AI/ML opportunities and define optimal technical approaches
• Provide technical mentorship and contribute to team upskilling

LLM & Production AI Systems

• Build and operate LLM pipelines, including prompt design, fine-tuning, and evaluation
• Develop RAG-based systems using embeddings, vector stores, and retrieval strategies
• Design evaluation frameworks, feedback loops, and datasets to continuously improve model performance
• Create reusable tooling to accelerate experimentation, deployment, and monitoring

MLOps & Deployment

• Own end-to-end ML lifecycle: data pipelines, training, deployment, monitoring, and iteration
• Establish best practices for reproducibility, observability, CI/CD, and model versioning
• Partner with platform/DevOps teams to ensure reliability and scalability
• Promote responsible AI practices, including governance, fairness, and transparency

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead cross-functional initiatives across data engineering, analytics, and AI/ML
• Translate complex ML concepts into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams to plan and deliver AI/ML solutions
• Contribute documentation, frameworks, and shared best practices

Project Execution

• Scope and lead complex AI/ML initiatives aligned to business outcomes
• Align stakeholders and drive execution across teams
• Establish clear success metrics and ensure delivery of high-impact solutions

Skills & Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in ML engineering, AI engineering, or related fields, with production deployment experience
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL; experience with PyTorch and HuggingFace
• Experience building LLM applications, including RAG, embeddings, and vector search
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS or Azure; e.g., SageMaker, Bedrock, Azure ML)
• Strong understanding of ML fundamentals: data design, training, evaluation, and experimentation
• Familiarity with LLM alignment techniques (e.g., SFT, DPO, RL)
• Experience with MLOps practices: CI/CD, monitoring, retraining, and experiment tracking
• Proficiency working with complex, multi-source datasets and defining evaluation strategies
• Strong software engineering fundamentals (testing, modularity, code review)
• Experience mentoring engineers and influencing technical direction
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Languages: Python, SQL

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting at a desk performing work on a computer
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Compensation Range: $150,000 - 180,000 annually

Please note that compensation packages are finalized after the interview process is concluded. We use a competency-based approach to base pay, which means it is based on the competencies and skills demonstrated for this role.

Core Company Values

• Take the Long View - Ensure the company is built to last
• Be Courageous - Make the right decisions even when they aren't the easiest decisions
• Be Genuine - Bring honesty and authenticity to all that you do
• Work with Focus + Passion - Display purpose and pride in your work and never stop learning

As an equal opportunity employer, we are firmly committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our hiring efforts. We recognize that we need team members from all backgrounds and experiences to successfully shape a positive employee experience as well as deliver our product and service solutions. To that end, we actively seek candidates who can bring diverse experiences and backgrounds to our team. We know that complex factors and systemic bias can get in the way of us meeting strong candidates, so please don't hesitate to apply even if you're not 100% sure.

At this time, Velir does not sponsor candidates and unfortunately cannot accept those on OPT or CPT.