Lead AI Engineer

We are looking for an experienced and technically strong Lead AI Engineer to join our engineering team in Bangalore. The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of experience in software engineering and AI/ML, with strong hands-on expertise in Python backend development and Artificial Intelligence. The candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying scalable AI-powered applications and services. This role requires someone who can work across the complete AI engineering lifecycle, from developing AI/ML solutions and integrating models into applications to building robust backend APIs and production-ready systems. The ideal candidate should have strong programming fundamentals, hands-on experience with Python as a backend technology, and the ability to lead technical initiatives while mentoring engineers.

The candidate will have responsibilities across the following functions:

AI and Machine Learning Engineering:

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable AI/ML solutions for business and product use cases.
• Build and integrate machine learning and AI models into production applications.
• Work with Generative AI, LLMs, NLP, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning technologies.
• Evaluate different AI/ML models and select appropriate approaches based on business requirements.
• Develop production-ready AI pipelines and model-serving solutions.
• Optimise AI systems for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost.

Python Backend Development:

• Strong hands-on experience with Python backend development is mandatory.
• Design and develop scalable backend services using Python.
• Build robust REST APIs and microservices using frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or Django.
• Integrate AI/ML models with backend applications and enterprise systems.
• Develop secure, maintainable, well-tested, and high-performance backend services.
• Work with databases, caching systems, message queues, and external APIs.
• Troubleshoot and optimise backend applications for scalability and performance.

Generative AI and LLM:

• Develop applications using Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Work with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) architectures and AI-powered applications.
• Experience with frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, LlamaIndex, or similar technologies is preferred.
• Work with prompt engineering, embeddings, vector databases, and model orchestration.
• Integrate commercial and/or open-source AI models into production systems.
• Implement evaluation, monitoring, and optimisation strategies for AI applications.

Technical Leadership:

• Lead AI engineering initiatives from architecture and development through production deployment.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and senior engineers.
• Conduct code reviews and establish engineering best practices.
• Make architecture and technology decisions for AI and backend systems.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Software Engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Identify new AI technologies and evaluate their potential business applications.

Cloud and Deployment:

• Design and deploy AI/backend applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Work with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native architectures.
• Implement monitoring, logging, security, and observability for production AI systems.
• Ensure AI services are scalable, reliable, and production-ready.

Requirements:

• 7-10 years of overall software/AI engineering experience.
• Strong professional experience developing applications using Python.
• Proven experience in Python backend development.
• Hands-on experience building and deploying AI/ML solutions.
• Experience developing scalable APIs and microservices.
• Experience working with production-grade software systems.
• Prior experience in a technical leadership or lead engineering capacity is preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering and product teams.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong programming and software engineering fundamentals are essential.
• Key Skills / ATS Keywords: Lead AI Engineer: AI Engineer, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, GenAI, LLM, Machine Learning, Python, Python Backend, FastAPI, Flask, Django, REST API, Microservices, RAG, LangChain, LangGraph, LlamaIndex, NLP, Deep Learning, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Vector Database, AWS, Azure | GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, MLOps, AI Agents, Agentic AI, Prompt Engineering, API Development, Backend Engineering, System Design.

Mandatory Skills:

The candidate should have strong hands-on experience in:

• Python - Mandatory
• Python Backend Development - Mandatory
• REST APIs
• FastAPI / Flask / Django
• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
• Generative AI / LLM
• Microservices Architecture
• API Development & Integration
• SQL and/or NoSQL Databases
• Git and Version Control
• Cloud Platforms - AWS / Azure / GCP
• Docker / Containerization
• Software Engineering Best Practices

Good to Have:

• LangChain / LangGraph / LlamaIndex
• RAG
• Vector Databases - Pinecone, FAISS, Weaviate, Milvus, etc.
• Prompt Engineering
• OpenAI / Gemini / Claude / Llama or other LLM APIs
• NLP
• Deep Learning
• PyTorch / TensorFlow
• ML Model Deployment & MLOps
• Kubernetes
• CI/CD
• Kafka or other messaging systems
• AI Agents / Agentic AI
• Model evaluation and observability

Nice to Have:

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a hands-on AI Engineer, rather than purely a people manager.
• Has strong Python backend development experience.
• Can independently design and implement AI-powered applications.
• Understands both AI/ML concepts and production software engineering.
• Can take ownership of complex technical problems.
• Has strong system-design and architectural thinking.
• Can mentor engineers and drive technical excellence.
• Is comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.