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Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee Jobs in Illinois

DRW

AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

As an AI Engineer, you will work on high-impact machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives, building infrastructure and tooling to enhance productivity and efficiency within a ...

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Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee, a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and programming languages like Python is essential, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), data processing tools, and version control systems is typically expected. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and willingness to learn new technologies help trainees stand out in this evolving field. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively developing, testing, and deploying AI models in real-world applications.

What are some common challenges faced by Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainees during their first projects?

As an Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee, you may encounter challenges such as understanding complex datasets, managing data preprocessing, and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, learning to select appropriate machine learning models, and debugging code are also common hurdles. However, these challenges offer valuable learning opportunities and are typically addressed with mentorship, hands-on practice, and access to collaborative team resources.

What does an Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee do?

An Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee learns and assists with designing, developing, and deploying AI models and systems under the supervision of experienced engineers. Their responsibilities often include data preprocessing, building and testing machine learning algorithms, and supporting the integration of AI solutions into existing products or services. Trainees may also work on tasks related to natural language processing, computer vision, or predictive analytics, and are expected to keep up-to-date with the latest AI research and technologies. This role is ideal for individuals who are starting their careers in AI and want hands-on experience while enhancing their technical and problem-solving skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Artificial Intelligence Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Artificial Intelligence Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs in Illinois? For Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee job openings:
Artificial Intelligence Engineer Trainee jobs near you
Senior Director, Artificial Intelligence

Senior Director, Artificial Intelligence

Central Garden & Pet

Schaumburg, IL

$175K - $275K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Central Garden & Pet rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Central Garden & Pet

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 67,533 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at Central Garden & Pet

  • 97%

    97% say they get paid breaks

    say they get paid breaks

  • 94%

    94% say it is easy to take sick days

    say it is easy to take sick days

  • 94%

    94% say they don’t worry about hours

    say they don’t worry about hours

Featured by Central Garden & Pet, based on 40 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees

Job description

Description

The Senior Director, Artificial Intelligence defines and operationalizes the enterprise AI strategy, architecture, and learning ecosystem in direct support of the companys core business priorities: growth acceleration, operational efficiency, and scalable portfolio integration through M&A. This role leads the AI Center of Excellence and serves as the senior technical authority for AI platforms, governance, and enablement.
This leader ensures AI investments translate into measurable business value by accelerating innovation, improving decision intelligence, and embedding AI capability into the workforce. The role bridges enterprise architecture, business strategy, and human capability shaping both the technology landscape pertaining to AI and the organizations ability to use it competitively. A core mandate of the position is to help in building an AI-empowered workforce by ensuring employees have the training, knowledge and tools needed to leverage AI in their daily activities.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
AI Strategy & Direction
  • Define and maintain the enterprise AI vision and multi-year roadmap
  • Align AI investments to growth, efficiency, and M&A integration priorities
  • Issue formal statements of architectural direction for AI platforms
  • Anticipate emerging technologies and guide adoption decisions
  • Ensure AI strategy aligns with enterprise architecture principles
Leadership of the AI Center of Excellence
  • Lead and scale the AI Center of Excellence (AI COE)
  • Establish reusable frameworks, playbooks, and delivery models
  • Standardize AI engineering practices across the enterprise
  • Promote enterprise-wide AI fluency and adoption
  • Create a scalable operating model for AI delivery
AI Architecture & Assurance
  • Provide architectural assurance for AI initiatives in flight
  • Review designs for scalability, security, and sustainability
  • Partner with Enterprise Architecture and Architecture Review Board
  • Prevent platform fragmentation and tool sprawl
  • Maintain technical coherence across the AI landscape
Standards, Governance & Practices
  • Establish AI lifecycle engineering standards
  • Define model governance and ethical AI guardrails
  • Create deployment and monitoring frameworks
  • Ensure compliance, privacy, and risk management
  • Maintain enterprise trust in AI systems
Enterprise AI Learning & Enablement Strategy
  • Define and lead enterprise AI learning strategy
  • Build structured AI fluency programs across roles
  • Develop training libraries and best practice repositories
  • Partner with HR and Learning & Development to institutionalize AI skills
  • Grow internal AI champions and power-user communities
  • Measure workforce AI maturity and adoption
Vendor & Ecosystem Management
  • Manage strategic relationships with AI platform vendors
  • Lead evaluation of emerging tools and ecosystems
  • Drive vendor selection aligned with architecture principles
  • Negotiate enterprise partnerships and cost structures with CIO
  • Prevent vendor sprawl through disciplined strategy
Financial & Business Partnership
  • Model AI platform cost structures and investments
  • Partner with finance to forecast AI operating expenses
  • Develop business cases with business leaders
  • Ensure ROI visibility and measurable outcomes
  • Balance innovation speed with cost discipline
AI Industry Liaison & R&D Leadership
  • Serve as liaison to AI research and innovation ecosystem
  • Maintain relationships with industry thought leaders
  • Translate external innovation into enterprise capability
  • Lead enterprise R&D pilots with business units
  • Represent the company in AI forums and partnerships
  • Position the organization as an AI-forward enterprise
Roadmapping & Enterprise Alignment for AI
  • Build AI enablement roadmaps with Enterprise Architecture
  • Align with Architecture Review Board priorities
  • Sequence platform evolution intentionally
  • Prioritize capabilities based on business value
  • Define long-term AI maturity trajectory
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Senior enterprise technology leadership experience (ideally 10+ years)
  • Deep expertise in AI/ML platforms and cloud ecosystems
  • Proven ability to scale technical organizations
  • Enterprise architecture strategy experience
  • Vendor negotiation and platform strategy expertise
  • Financial modeling and investment prioritization skills
  • Executive communication and influence capability
  • Ability to translate technology into business outcomes
  • Experience building high-performing teams
  • Strategic systems thinker
  • Builder of platforms, not just projects
  • Balances innovation with discipline
  • Collaborative across business and technology
  • Trusted advisor to executive leadership
  • Bias for clarity and simplification
  • Operates comfortably at enterprise scale
POSITION INFORMATION
  • This position pays $175,000-275,000 per year based on experience and location
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Free Life and Disability Insurance
  • Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
  • Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Access to thousands of free online courses
  • Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
  • Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
  • Referral Program with cash bonus
  • Access to on-demand pay
  • Paid parental leave
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Best Bully Sticks, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Kaytee, Nylabone, Pennington, Sevin and Zocon. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.#LI-JH1

Working at Central Garden & Pet

Perks for frontline workers

From Central Garden & Pet, via Breakroom

  • Safety is a top priority!

  • Paid Vacation

  • Paid Holidays

  • Paid Sick Time

  • Paid Breaks

  • Consistent shift and schedule

  • Comprehensive Health Insurance

  • 401k with Company Match

  • Referral Program with Cash Bonus

  • Education Assistance

  • Paid Parental Leave

About Central Garden & Pet, in their own words

From Central Garden & Pet

Our leading consumer and professional brands provide forward-thinking, high quality products to care for your lawn, garden, pets and community. We are committed to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger.

Company values

From Central Garden & Pet

The Central Way | We Do the Right Thing | We Strive to be the Best | We are Entrepreneurial | We Win Together | We Grow Every Day | We are Passionate

Diversity and inclusion statement

From Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet is committed to building a great place to work that embraces diversity as a key pillar of our culture. This is a journey, and we are committed to listening, learning and doing the work to move forward together.

What Central Garden & Pet employees say

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