Sr AI Engineering Lead

Persistent Systems; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Flexible work hours

Long Service awards

Education sponsorship

Hybrid work

Quarterly growth opportunities

Job summary

Persistent Systems in Bellevue, WA seeks an experienced Sr AI Engineering Lead to drive strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise AI, data, and analytics initiatives.

You will lead engineering teams, shape AI programs using Azure OpenAI, RAG, and modern frameworks, and ensure scalable, secure solutions that align with business goals. This role requires strong leadership and deep expertise in cloud-native development and enterprise architecture.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years of software engineering and enterprise delivery experience.
• Hands-on Azure OpenAI, LLMs, RAG, Semantic Kernel, and prompt engineering Expertise.
• Proven leadership of large engineering teams and cross-functional programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and delivery of enterprise AI solutions across AI Copilots, Agents, and automation.
• Define roadmaps and strategies with business leaders and stakeholders.
• Oversee Azure DevOps pipelines, CI/CD, deployment automation, and release management.
• Mentor teams and foster innovation, governance, and engineering excellence.
• Ensure security, scalability, reliability, and compliance across platforms.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Cloud architecture

Generative AI

Azure

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Azure OpenAI

Semantic Kernel

LLMs

Azure DevOps

CI/CD

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Sr AI Engineering Lead to drive the strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise-scale AI, Data, and Analytics solutions. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Generative AI, cloud-native application development, and enterprise architecture, along with strong leadership capabilities. This role will be responsible for designing innovative AI-powered solutions using Azure OpenAI and modern AI frameworks while leading engineering teams to deliver scalable, secure, and business-focused digital transformation initiatives.

• Role: Sr AI Engineering Lead
• Location: Bellevue, WA
• Experience: Between 12 to 15 Years
• Job Type: Full Time Employment

What You'll Do:

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise AI solutions utilizing Azure OpenAI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Semantic Kernel, Embeddings, Prompt Engineering, and Agentic AI frameworks.
• Drive end-to-end delivery of enterprise AI transformation programs, including AI Copilots, AI Agents, and intelligent automation solutions.
• Design and develop cloud-native applications using .NET/C#, RESTful APIs, microservices, and Azure-first architecture patterns.
• Collaborate with business leaders, product owners, architects, and engineering teams to define technology roadmaps and implementation strategies.
• Translate complex business requirements into scalable, secure, and sustainable enterprise solutions.
• Architect and implement enterprise-grade Generative AI solutions that improve business processes and user experiences.
• Lead AI strategy discussions and recommend innovative technologies to support organizational objectives.
• Oversee Azure DevOps pipelines, CI/CD processes, deployment automation, release management, and application lifecycle management.
• Drive best practices for software engineering, AI engineering, architecture governance, and cloud adoption.
• Conduct architecture reviews, technical design sessions, solution assessments, and code reviews.
• Ensure solution reliability, scalability, performance optimization, security, and compliance across platforms.
• Establish AI governance frameworks, Responsible AI practices, and enterprise security standards.
• Mentor technical teams and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence.
• Support production operations, incident management, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership and stakeholders to drive measurable business outcomes through AI programs.

Expertise You'll Bring:

• 12 to 15 years of experience in software engineering, cloud architecture, AI engineering, and enterprise solution delivery.
• Strong hands-on experience with Azure OpenAI, Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), RAG architectures, Semantic Kernel, Prompt Engineering, Embeddings, and Agentic AI frameworks.
• Proven expertise in designing and delivering enterprise-scale AI transformation initiatives and AI-powered business solutions.
• Extensive experience developing cloud-native applications using .NET/C#, REST APIs, and microservices architectures.
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Azure services and modern cloud architecture patterns.
• Experience delivering enterprise Copilot implementations and AI Agent-based solutions.
• Strong expertise in Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, deployment automation, release management, and production support.
• Experience creating scalable architecture roadmaps and technology transformation strategies.
• Strong understanding of enterprise integration, API design, security controls, and cloud-native development practices.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively with business executives and technical teams.
• Experience leading architecture governance, engineering standards, solution reviews, and technical mentorship programs.
• Strong knowledge of performance optimization, reliability engineering, scalability, data governance, and operational excellence.
• Understanding of Responsible AI principles, AI governance frameworks, data privacy regulations, compliance requirements, and enterprise security standards.
• Experience with Azure Bicep, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), PowerShell, and cloud automation technologies.
• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing engineering teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
• Microsoft Azure certifications in AI, Solution Architecture, or related cloud technologies are highly preferred.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Culture focused on talent development with quarterly growth opportunities and company-sponsored higher education and certifications
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies
• Employee engagement initiatives such as project parties, flexible work hours, and Long Service awards
• Insurance coverage: group term life, personal accident, and Mediclaim hospitalization for self, spouse, two children, and parents

Values-Driven, People-Centric & Inclusive Work Environment:

• We support hybrid work and flexible hours to fit diverse lifestyles.
• Our office is accessibility-friendly, with ergonomic setups and assistive technologies to support employees with physical disabilities.
• If you are a person with disabilities and have specific requirements, please inform us during the application process or at any time during your employment.

"Persistent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind."