Senior Lead - AI Engineering

Zs Associates; Bellevue, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

ZS is seeking a highly motivated Applied AI Engineer with a deep interest in Large Language Models (LLMs) to build, optimize, and evaluate production-grade LLM systems. The role focuses on RAG pipelines, fine-tuning workflows, and scalable inference, with a strong emphasis on Python, FastAPI, and modern ML tooling.

Ideal candidates will have 4+ years in ML with production LLMs, experience in NLP/vision, and a client-first mindset.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field.
• 4+ years of hands-on ML experience with production LLM systems.
• Strong fundamentals in ML, DL and fine-tuning (LLM).
• Experience with backend API design (FastAPI) and async patterns.
• Experience with vector databases and embedding search.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement LLM-powered applications using state-of-the-art transformer models.
• Build and optimize RAG pipelines using embeddings, chunking strategies, and vector search.
• Experiment with prompt engineering, structured outputs (JSON schemas/function calling), and tool-augmented LLMs (agents/workflows).
• Fine-tune models using LoRA, PEFT, and instruction tuning.
• Develop and evaluate embedding models for similarity search and semantic retrieval.
• Conduct LLM evaluation using automated and human-in-the-loop techniques.

Skills

Python

FastAPI

Async programming

Type hints

Pydantic

SOLID principles

Langfuse

ML Ops

NLP

English fluency

LLM systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Pinecone

Weaviate

Chroma

Job description

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

What you'll do: Senior Lead - AI Engineering in the Platforms and Products will…

What you'll do: Lead AI Engineerin the Platforms and Productswill…

We are seeking a highly motivated Applied AI Engineerwith a strong foundation in Machine Learning and a deep interest in Large Language Models (LLMs)andGenerative AI. This role focuses on building, optimizing, and evaluatingproduction-grade LLM systems, includingRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), fine-tuning workflows, and scalable inference pipelines.

• Design and implementLLM-powered applicationsusing state-of-the-art transformer models.
• Build and optimizeRAG pipelinesusing embeddings, chunking strategies, and vector search.
• Experiment withprompt engineering,structured outputs(JSON schemas/function calling), andtool-augmented LLMs(agents/workflows).
• Fine-tune models using techniques such asLoRA,PEFT, andinstruction tuning.
• Develop and evaluateembedding modelsfor similarity search and semantic retrieval.
• ConductLLM evaluationusing automated andhuman-in-the-looptechniques (offline + online).
• Optimize inference workflows forlatency, GPU utilization, and cost efficiency(quantization, batching, caching).
• Build and maintain REST API Services (FastAPI etc.)to deploy LLM/RAG endpoints, integrate with product systems, and support scalable inference.
• Contribute to integration of AI systems intoproduction software environments(CI/CD, monitoring, reliability).
• Research and prototype cutting-edge approaches in Generative AI and share learnings with the team.

What you’ll bring:

• A master's or bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field from a top university
• 4+ years' hands-on experience in Machine Learning (ML) with production LLM systems
• Good fundamentals of machine learning, deep learning and fine tuning models (LLM) including:
  • Understanding of transformer architectures
  • Prompt engineering expertise
  • Embeddings and vector search
• Experienced in backend API design with FastAPI, async patterns, rate limiting
• Experience with vector DB including:
  • Pinecone, Weaviate, or Chroma
  • Embedding storage and similarity search
  • Hybrid search implementations
• Strong programming expertise in Python is must including:
  • Async programming (asyncio, async/await)
  • Type hints and Pydantic
  • SOLID principles and design patterns
• Experience in ML Ops to measure and track model performance including:
  • MLFlow for model tracking
  • Langfuse for LLM observability (strongly preferred)
  • Model versioning and A/B testing
• Experience in working with NLP & computer vision
• Fluency in English
• Client-first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.