AI FinOps Engineer

Job Summary

Nelnet is seeking an AI FinOps Engineer to own the token economics and cost optimization engine of our Enterprise AI program. Reporting to the IT Director of AI Delivery, this role is embedded in our Shared Services department and focuses on driving efficiency across our Enterprise AI platforms.

About the Role

The AI FinOps Engineer will work at the API level to instrument workloads, identify inefficiencies, and engineer solutions that reduce organizational cost without degrading capability. Key outputs include translating token-level findings into best practices for the AI enablement team and building dashboards for utilization reporting.

Responsibilities

• Track, model, and optimize token costs across Enterprise AI platforms
• Own prompt efficiency patterns, caching strategies, and model-tier selection guidance
• Define and document token optimization best practices
• Build and maintain dashboards that surface usage trends, cost anomalies, and efficiency metrics for IT leadership
• Identify waste, propose tier or model changes, and quantify savings

Requirements

• 1-2 years hands-on experience with LLM APIs (Claude, OpenAI, or equivalent) at the token level
• Deep familiarity with LLM pricing mechanics
• Experience with prompt engineering techniques focused on efficiency and cost reduction
• Python or SQL for instrumentation and pipeline work
• Ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of industry experience
• Prompt caching, batch API usage, or model-tier switching in production environments
• Cloud FinOps background or FinOps Foundation certification
• Experience with multiple LLM providers and their cost/capability tradeoffs

Benefits

• Annual compensation range: $100,000 - $150,000
• Hybrid work option
• Medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA
• Generous earned time off
• 401K/student loan repayment
• Life insurance & AD&D insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee stock purchase program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentive pay
• Short- and long-term disability
• A robust wellness program

Pay

$100,000 - $150,000 annually

Schedule

Hybrid work option