Associate Solutions Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Summary

The AI Solutions Engineer is an embedded partner to the Professional Excellence (PE) Practice Group, responsible for intake and shaping of demand into clear problem statements, prioritized backlogs, and sprint-ready user stories. The role collaborates with others to deliver iterative, measurable improvements to PE workflows and solutions, with the goal to help build/deliver re-usable AI engineering patterns that the business uses and accelerate sustainable business workflow automation. This position is designed to support PE's needs with an understanding of Associate-level work and the practical realities of PE workflow and delivery.

Location

This position can sit in any of our U.S. offices and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

PE Intake, Discovery & Problem Framing (Embedded SE/BA)

• Own requirements intake for PE initiatives; capture a concise problem statement, intended outcomes, and success measures.
• Engage PE stakeholders to understand workflow pain points and constraints; translate needs into actionable requirements.
• Apply an understanding of Associate-level work to ensure solutions fit real execution patterns and reduce friction.

Agile Backlog Management & User Stories

• Produce high-quality requirements including functional requirements and user stories suitable for sprint execution.
• Drive iterative elaboration and refinement with stakeholders and solutions for delivery to maintain a healthy backlog and delivery cadence.

Solution Design, Prototyping & Feasibility

• Evaluate and recommend solutions.
• Build prototypes / proofs of concept and support iterative refinement to validate feasibility and value.
• Action solution design and integration planning.

Testing, Adoption & Operational Readiness

• Support UAT planning and execution; translating feedback into backlog updates and improvement cycles.
• Support rollouts, training materials, demos, and adoption activities in partnership with IT/KM and PE stakeholders.
• Ensure deliverables meet firm standards for documentation, governance, quality, and supportability.

Cross-Functional Delivery

• Partner with the IT and adjacent teams to surface risks, dependencies, and decisions early and keep delivery moving.
• Promote consistent delivery practices as the pod model scales across practice/business groups.

Desired Skills

• Background in building AI based solutions within the practice and will be proficient in building AI agents, data integration, using tools to rapidly build pilots/demos and take to production.
• Understanding of ML models, ability to select the correct models and solution patterns, various RAG patterns (example KG-RAG, Hybrid RAG, Agentic RAG etc.).
• Experience with various agent, context engineering/agentic memory frameworks.
• Understanding of prompt engineering and building evolving frameworks like DSPy and building RL into standardized prompt frameworks for sustainable solutions.
• Ability to apply core engineering for solutions design, rapidly learn, test and certify new frameworks for use in production.
• Demonstrated experience translating stakeholder needs into requirements, user stories, and delivery-ready backlogs.
• Experience with Microsoft 365, Power Platform (Power Automate/Apps), SharePoint, and workflow automation systems.
• Experience with AI-driven tools and adoption patterns in professional services.
• Ability to prototype and deliver low-code solutions and iterate rapidly based on stakeholder feedback.
• Working knowledge of integration concepts (APIs, data flows) and ability to implement integration patterns when needed (e.g., Graph-based patterns).
• Working proficiency in one or more of the following languages: SQL (data validation, reporting, requirements traceability); Python (automation scripts, data shaping, light analysis); PowerShell (M365/automation administration scripting); JavaScript / TypeScript (web/custom UI extensions, integrations); or Java, Go, REST/JSON fluency (API payloads, integration testing).

Minimum Education

• High School or GED

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Information systems, Computer Science, Business, or related field.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 5 years of experience in solutions engineering, business analysis, legal technology, or process improvement (professional services preferred).

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.

• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.

• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.

• Foster positive work relationships.

• Comply with all firm policies and practices.

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.
  

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.
Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm's discretion in the future.
Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.

Agency applications will not be considered.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.
The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $129,808 - $206,399 depending on the candidate's geographic market location.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate's experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

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DLA Piper 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, disability, or status as a protected veteran.Job applicant poster viewing center.