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Lead Ai Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead AI Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$55 - $60/hr

Lead AI Engineer Locations: St. Louis, MO | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO Duration: Long Term ✅ Engagement Type: Contract - W2. We are looking for an experienced Lead AI Engineer to lead the design ...

Lead AI Engineer

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

$104K - $138K/yr

Tiger Analytics is seeking a highly experienced Lead AI Engineer to lead the end-to-end AI Engineering workstream for the Luma platform. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for ...

Lead AI Engineer

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Amherst, NY · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Albany, NY · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives. The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Piscataway, NJ · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Location: Pisacataway,NJ Position type: W2 contract Need only genuine candidates who has handson experience and can start contributing from day1 Role Summary We are hiring a hands-on ...

Lead AI Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$96K - $181K/yr

The Lead AI Engineer will spend the majority of their time designing, building, coding, integrating, and optimizing AI-powered applications while providing technical guidance across initiatives.The ...

Lead AI Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Location: Santa Clara, CA Onsite Experience Required: 10+ Years Employment Type: Contract (Only W2) Job Overview We are seeking an experienced Lead AI Engineer to architect, lead ...

Lead AI Engineer

Tarrytown, NY · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Department: Digital Transformation - AI Strategy & Execution Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York Employment Type: Full-Time Experience Required: 7-10 Years About Regeneron Regeneron is ...

Lead AI Engineer

Tarrytown, NY · On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Department: Digital Transformation - AI Strategy & Execution Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York Employment Type: Full-Time Experience Required: 7-10 Years About Regeneron Regeneron is ...

Lead AI Engineer

Tarrytown, NY · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Department: Digital Transformation - AI Strategy & Execution Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York Employment Type: Full-Time Experience Required: 7-10 Years About Regeneron Regeneron is ...

Lead AI Engineer

Sleepy Hollow, NY · On-site

$108K - $142K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Department: Digital Transformation - AI Strategy & Execution Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York Employment Type: Full-Time Experience Required: 7-10 Years About Regeneron Regeneron is ...

Lead AI Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Location: Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; or Dallas, TX. Other Prologis office locations may be considered. A day in the life The Lead AI Engineer builds ...

Lead AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Location: Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; or Dallas, TX. Other Prologis office locations may be considered. A day in the life The Lead AI Engineer builds ...

Lead AI Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$147K - $202K/yr

Lead AI Engineer Location: Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; or Dallas, TX. Other Prologis office locations may be considered. A day in the life The Lead AI Engineer builds ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lead Ai Engineer information

See salary details

$42.5K

$123.8K

$180.5K

How much do lead ai engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead ai engineer in the United States is $123,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Lead AI Engineer?

A Lead AI Engineer is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the design, development, and deployment of artificial intelligence solutions within an organization. They lead a team of AI engineers and data scientists, set project goals, and ensure the quality and scalability of AI systems. Their role often includes collaborating with stakeholders, selecting appropriate technologies, and providing technical guidance to solve complex problems using machine learning and AI techniques. Lead AI Engineers play a key role in shaping an organization's AI strategy and ensuring successful project delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead AI Engineer?

To thrive as a Lead AI Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of machine learning, deep learning, and data science concepts, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and relevant industry experience. Proficiency with programming languages like Python, frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is essential, along with familiarity with MLOps tools. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills distinguish top candidates, enabling them to guide teams and translate business needs into technical solutions. These skills ensure the successful development and deployment of AI solutions that drive innovation and business value.

What are some common challenges Lead AI Engineers face when managing cross-functional teams?

Lead AI Engineers often coordinate with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers, which can present challenges in aligning priorities and communication styles. Balancing the technical depth required for AI development with the broader business objectives requires strong project management and interpersonal skills. Additionally, ensuring that AI models are scalable, ethical, and production-ready while meeting tight deadlines can be demanding. Successful Lead AI Engineers foster open communication, set clear expectations, and facilitate collaboration across diverse teams to overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Lead Ai Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectLead Ai EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, AI, or related; experience with AI frameworksBachelor's/Master's in CS, Statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentDevelops AI models, leads AI projects, collaborates with engineering teamsAnalyzes data, builds statistical models, interprets data insights
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, AI startups, R&D departmentsTech firms, finance, healthcare, research institutions

While both roles require a strong background in data and AI, Lead Ai Engineers focus on leading AI development and integrating AI solutions into products, whereas Data Scientists primarily analyze data to generate insights and build models. The Lead Ai Engineer role is more project and team leadership-oriented, often involving deployment and scaling of AI systems.

How much do lead AI engineers make?

Lead AI engineers typically earn between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles often include expertise in machine learning frameworks, programming languages like Python, and leadership skills.
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Cities with the most Lead Ai Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Lead Ai Engineer jobs?

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What states have the most Lead Ai Engineer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Lead Ai Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,784 per year, or $59.5 per hour.

Lead AI Engineer

Charlotte, NC • On-site

NS IT Solutions
IT Services • 1 - 10 employees

$55 - $60/hr

Contractor

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

NOW HIRING: Lead AI Engineer
Locations: St. Louis, MO | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO
Duration: Long Term
✅ Engagement Type: Contract – W2.
We are looking for an experienced Lead AI Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-scale Generative AI and AI/ML solutions.
What You'll Do:
• Lead development of Generative AI, LLM & AI-powered applications
• Build RAG pipelines, AI agents, copilots & intelligent automation
• Develop AI solutions using Python, APIs & cloud platforms
• Work with LLMs, prompt engineering, embeddings & vector databases
• Integrate AI with enterprise applications, databases & data platforms
• Implement secure, scalable, monitored & governed AI solutions
• Provide technical leadership and mentor AI engineers
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend business-focused solutions.
What We're Looking For:
• 7+ years of software/AI engineering experience
• Strong Python development skills
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, LLMs & RAG
• Experience with LangChain, LangGraph, LlamaIndex or similar frameworks
• Experience with vector databases & embeddings
• Knowledge of AWS, Azure or GCP AI services
• Experience deploying production-grade AI solutions
• Strong technical leadership & communication skills.