Senior AI Engineer

About the role

As a Senior AI Engineer at Avathon, you will play a key role in designing and delivering advanced AI solutions with a strong emphasis on Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). You will apply scientific rigor to develop scalable, production-ready machine learning systems that drive measurable business impact, working on challenging problems in forecasting, demand planning, renewable energy optimization, anomaly detection, and prescriptive maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning and Generative AI solutions to solve complex business problems
• Build, fine-tune, and optimize Large Language Models (LLMs) and transformer-based architectures for real-world applications
• Apply rigorous scientific methodologies to experimentation, model evaluation, and performance optimization
• Develop scalable ML pipelines and production-grade systems in collaboration with Engineering teams
• Conduct prompt engineering, model alignment, evaluation, and performance benchmarking for GenAI applications
• Work closely with Product, Engineering, and Business stakeholders to translate ambiguous requirements into data-driven AI solutions
• Instrument and monitor LLM applications in production using observability tools, tracking cost, latency, quality, and drift
• Contribute to model governance, responsible AI practices, and performance monitoring in production environments
• Stay current with advancements in Generative AI, LLM research, and applied machine learning, incorporating relevant innovations into company solutions

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on industry experience in AI engineering, machine learning, data science, or applied AI roles
• Strong experience with Generative AI frameworks and Large Language Models (e.g., transformer architectures, fine-tuning, RAG systems)
• Proficiency in Python and modern ML/AI libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, or equivalent ecosystems
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, experimentation, and model evaluation methodologies
• Experience building and deploying ML models into production environments
• Familiarity with data engineering workflows and cloud-based ML platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently on complex and ambiguous problem statements
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present technical insights clearly to cross-functional stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, and embedding-based search systems
• Hands-on experience with LLM observability platforms (e.g., Langfuse, LangSmith, Arize Phoenix, Weights & Biases) for tracing, cost tracking, and quality monitoring in production
• Experience with LLM evaluation frameworks (e.g., RAGAS, DeepEval) and evaluation patterns such as LLM-as-judge and automated regression testing
• PRACTICAL experience deploying LLM applications with guardrails, prompt versioning, hallucination detection, and model drift monitoring
• Exposure to distributed training, model optimization, and scalable inference architectures
• Knowledge of MLOps practices, CI/CD for ML (Travis CI, Jenkins), and model lifecycle management
• Prior experience applying AI solutions in industrial or asset-intensive environments
• Experience working in fast-paced startup or product-driven environments
• Industry experience in one or more of the following domains: Mining, Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Renewable Energy

Benefits & Perks

• Evolving culture with the opportunity to drive new ideas and technology
• Stock Option Grants
• Medical Coverage and Parental Leave Plans
• 401k with Employer Match
• Monthly Technology Allowance
• Newly renovated office space located near Pleasanton, CA -- including fully stocked beverage and snack areas
• Candidates must be based in the Bay Area, CA and are expected to report to our Pleasanton office 5 days a week

Pay Range

Pay for this position is based on a number of factors including geographic location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The pay range for this position is $130k - $155k annually.

Location

This role is not remote. Candidates must be based in the Bay Area, CA and are expected to report to our Pleasanton office 5 days a week.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avathon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.