Principal AI Engineer

About

Ascend Learning is a leading healthcare and learning technology company connecting a portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. NASM, an Ascend Learning brand, has delivered over 1.4 million fitness professionals in over 100 countries.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, development and deployment of innovative, scalable AI/ML solutions focusing on the full lifecycle of projects from conception to deployment, including building and optimizing AI models.
• Lead the team in building scalable, high-performance LLMOps pipelines.
• Design and co-own the Generative AI/ML system and project architecture, frameworks, tools, and processes.
• Stay current on advancements, lead research initiatives, experiment with new algorithms, and identify innovation opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and hands-on coding during implementation.
• Align with stakeholders to define AI and Product Roadmaps enabling corporate objectives.
• Manage and preprocess large datasets, design efficient data pipelines, and ensure data integrity and security.
• Design and implement AI/ML models with feedback loops and automated re-training and fine-tuning pipelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI capabilities into products.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to team members, fostering growth and innovation.
• Guide junior engineers in AI/ML best practices and review their work.
• Oversee design review sessions ensuring consistency and best practices.
• Ensure ethical AI development considering fairness, accountability, and transparency.
• Define project milestones, timelines, and ensure successful delivery.
• Contribute to coding standards, best practices, and documentation.
• Stay updated with latest AI developments and trends.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence or related field; equivalent experience considered; High School diploma or GED required.
• 6+ years progressive experience in data and analytics, with at least 3 years developing analytical applications.
• Experience building and deploying LLM models, prompt engineering, context management, embedding techniques using MS Azure and other cloud services.
• Advanced practical experience in machine learning and natural language processing, especially LLMs.
• Experience with Python, NLTK, HuggingFace, SQL, Snowflake.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow or similar tools.
• Proven ability to translate innovative ideas into scalable solutions.
• Leadership experience managing junior AI engineers.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication skills.

Benefits

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location

This position works a hybrid schedule from the Gilbert, AZ office. Remote work will be considered.

Equal Opportunity

Ascend Learning, LLC is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). Applications for U.S.-based positions require legal authorization to work in the United States.