AI Engineering LeadWe are hiring a founding AI Engineer Lead to build and scale AI capabilities from the ground up. This role will directly shape how AI is built and delivered across the organization. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for designing, building, and deploying production AI solutions (copilots, agents, and automated workflows) that directly improve workflows, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Initial solutions will be built primarily in the Microsoft ecosystem (Azure, Copilot, and related tooling) to align to existing enterprise infrastructure. This role will also evaluate when more flexible, scalable, or custom AI systems are needed to ensure long-term flexibility and scalability.The AI Engineering Lead will own development of critical AI systems while establishing technical patterns, tools, standards, and architecture for how we apply AI in the enterprise.
This role will work closely with business stakeholders, product leaders, and data teams to turn high-value opportunities into reliable, production-ready solutions. The AI Engineering Lead will write production code, deliver high-impact solutions, and define how AI gets built across the organization.Key ResponsibilitiesBuild and Deliver AI SolutionsDesign, build, and deploy production-grade end-to-end AI solutions, including workflow automation agents, RAG pipelines, and copilots embedded in business workflows, and LLM-driven applicationsTranslate business needs into technical designs and working products to deliver usable, high-impact solutions, not just proofs of conceptArchitect and implement AI-assisted data workflows and agentic systemsBuild and maintain LLM-enabled services, prompt frameworks, and coding standardsDevelop semantic/context layers ensuring AI outputs align with business logic and data modelsDesign multi-agent workflows, including human-in-the-loop controlsMake pragmatic tradeoffs to ship quickly while maintaining long-term sustainabilityTechnical Design and ArchitectureCreate scalable patterns for prompt design & orchestration, agent-based workflows, and API integrations & data accessInform architecture decisions for AI systems balancing speed, security, scalability, maintainability, and costHelp establish engineering standards and best practices for applied AI across the organizationEstablish reusable components, frameworks, and templates to accelerate AI developmentIntegrate AI automation with enterprise systems, APIs, and data platformsEvaluate and recommend tooling across the stack (models, frameworks, vector stores, orchestration layers)Define data requirements and, when needed, build or extend data pipelines to ensure AI systems have reliable, production-ready inputsQuality, Reliability, and Production OperationsDesign and implement evaluation frameworks to define and track AI system performance, including task success, accuracy, latency, cost, and business impact; establish feedback loops to continuously improve quality, reliability, and cost-efficacy in production environmentsBuild guardrails and validation layers to reduce hallucinations, enforce structured outputs, and ensure safe system behaviorEstablish monitoring and observability across AI systems (performance, usage, cost, latency, failure modes)Implement modern engineering practices including CI/CD, versioning, rollback strategies, and automated testingEnsure solutions meet security, compliance, and governance requirements in a regulated environmentCross-Functional Delivery and AdoptionPartner with business leaders, operations & service teams, and product stakeholders to shape use cases and turn them into working solutionsWork closely with AI Enablement to refine workflows and improve adoptionDrive fast iteration cycles, quickly moving from idea to working solution to scaled implementation; iterate solutions based on real user feedback and usage patternsRequired Qualifications7-10+ years in software engineering, data engineering, or AI/LLM experienceHands-on experience building and deploying production AI systemsHands-on experience building applications using LLMs and modern AI toolingExperience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred), Python, APIs, containerization, and CI/CD practicesExperience building RAG pipelines, agent-based workflows, or orchestration layersExperience with vector databases, embedding pipelines, and retrieval systemsStrong problem-solving ability and bias toward practical, efficient solutions; ability to operate in a fast-moving, ambiguous environmentExperience translating business needs into technical solutionsPreferred QualificationsExperience working in the Microsoft ecosystemExperience implementing evaluation frameworks, guardrails, and observability for AI systemsExperience working in regulated industries (insurance, financial services, healthcare)Exposure to full-stack development (frontend + backend) for delivering usable AI experiencesSalary Range $147,000—$220,000 USDBeing a part of IMA has its benefits. When you become part of the IMA family, you become eligible to take part in our valuable benefits and rewards package designed to benefit you, your family, and your life. Our plans are cost-effective, convenient and provide progressive ways for staying healthy, protecting loved ones, pursuing financial security and living a full and balanced life. This role is eligible for the following: Annual Performance Bonus, Stock Purchase, Medical Plans, Prescription Drugs, Dental, Vision, Family Assistance Program, FSA, HSA, Pre-Tax Parking Plan, 401(k), Life/AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Long Term Care, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Business Travel Accident, Identity Theft, Paid Time Off, Flexible Work Options, Paid Holidays, Sabbatical, Gift Matching, Well-Being Stipend, Personal and Professional Development.
In addition to our robust benefits package, the final offer amounts will depend on a variety of factors, including the candidate's geographic location, prior relevant experience, and their knowledge, skills, and abilities.*These benefits do not apply to internship roles.Why Join IMA?We've built a reputation for putting our associates firstWhat if we told you that you could be an integral part of an entrepreneurial, expanding company, develop lasting relationships, earn competitive benefits, plus claim part ownership? It's this unique ownership business model that makes working at IMA so appealing.We work in teams. We sell in teams. We win and prosper as a teamWe provide support systems and resources that enable each of our associates to focus on what they do best. And as an independent company based in the Midwest, we're big enough to write business all over the world and small enough to implement your ideas quickly.We are recognized nationally as a leader in our industry Business Insurance Magazine Best Places to Work in Insurance2023 Inc.
Magazine's Best Workplaces2023 Denver Business Journal's Best Places to Work Connecticut Top Work Places Inc. 5000's List of Fastest Growing Companies Civic 50 Colorado Honoree Recognizing 50 Most Community-Minded Companies Kansas City Business Journal's Best Places to Work Charlotte Business Journal's Best Places to Work Los Angeles Business Journal's Best Places to Work The Salt Lake City Tribune Top Work Places Puget Sound Business Journal's Washington's Best Workplaces Wichita Business Journal's Best Places to Work, #1 in extra-large category2021 Dallas Business Journal's Best Places to Work2021 Alaska Journal of Commerce's Best Workplaces in AlaskaThis Job Description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising this position.The IMA Financial Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard