Engineering Lead - AI & Emerging Technology

Engineering Lead - AI & Emerging Technology Contract Opportunity | 6-Month Engagement | 40 Hours/WeekLocation: Hyrbid (NYC Office) Duration: 6 Months Utilization: 40 Hours per Week Rate: $110-$130/hr - W2 Overview We are seeking an experienced Engineering Lead to drive the technical direction and delivery of an innovative AI-focused initiative. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a strong combination of technical expertise, engineering judgment, and rapid prototyping capabilities.The ideal candidate will have experience building and deploying AI-powered solutions, working closely with cross-functional stakeholders to transform emerging concepts into functional prototypes and interactive experiences. This role requires someone who enjoys experimenting with cutting-edge technologies while maintaining a practical approach to execution and delivery. Responsibilities Lead the technical strategy and engineering execution for an AI and emerging technology initiative.Design and develop rapid prototypes utilizing technologies such as Microsoft Copilot Studio, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, Power Platform, and comparable AI development ecosystems.Build, test, and optimize AI agents, prompt frameworks, and agent-driven workflows.Design and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions that connect AI applications to enterprise data sources.Develop integrations between AI applications, APIs, workflows, and third-party systems.Create interactive prototypes, simulations, proof-of-concepts, and user experiences that demonstrate business value.Collaborate with product, design, strategy, and business stakeholders to evaluate technical feasibility and delivery approaches.Make sound architectural decisions balancing speed, scalability, maintainability, and innovation.Provide technical leadership and mentorship while remaining actively involved in hands-on development.Rapidly iterate solutions based on testing, stakeholder feedback, and evolving requirements. Required Qualifications AI & Microsoft Technology Stack Experience with Microsoft Copilot StudioAzure AI ServicesAzure OpenAIMicrosoft Power PlatformComparable enterprise AI development platforms and tooling AI Engineering & Application Development Prompt engineering and prompt designAI agent architecture and developmentRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)LLM-based application developmentWorkflow automationAPI development and integrationConnecting AI applications with enterprise systems and data sources Product Development & Prototyping Developing proof-of-concepts and functional prototypes under tight timelinesConverting ambiguous concepts into tangible technical solutionsBuilding interactive applications, simulations, or digital experiencesThriving in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements and priorities Preferred Qualifications Experience with agent orchestration platforms and multi-agent architectures.Background in consulting, innovation labs, venture studios, product development organizations, or similar environments focused on rapid experimentation and iterative delivery.Experience evaluating emerging technologies and applying them to real-world business challenges. Desired Attributes We're looking for someone who is:Hands-On: Actively engaged in architecture, development, and problem-solving.Innovative: Passionate about exploring emerging AI technologies and experimentation.Business-Oriented: Understands how technical solutions drive business outcomes.Pragmatic: Knows when to engineer for scale versus when to optimize for speed.Collaborative: Effective working across technical and non-technical teams.Adaptable: Comfortable operating in environments with evolving requirements.Technical Leader: Able to provide guidance, influence decisions, and build stakeholder confidence