Ml Data Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Huron is a global consultancy that collaborates with clients to drive strategic growth, ignite innovation and navigate constant change. Through a combination of strategy, expertise and creativity, we help clients accelerate operational, digital and cultural transformation, enabling the change they need to own their future.
Join our team as the expert you are now and create your future.

We are looking for a hands-on and adaptable AI/ML Engineer to join our AI practice. You'll help design, build, and deploy intelligent systems that leverage a range of technologies-from machine learning to generative AI and agent-based architectures-to solve complex, real-world problems.
This role spans the full AI solution lifecycle: data preparation, model development, application integration, and ongoing evaluation. You will collaborate closely with architects, and domain experts to ensure the AI solutions you help build are intelligent, reliable, and aligned with client goals.
We work across industries and use cases, from early-stage prototypes to production-ready deployments, and we're continuously exploring new AI paradigms-including AI agents, agent orchestration layer, model chaining, and self-evaluating systems. If you're excited by emerging AI technologies, fast-moving teams, and applied problem-solving, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop AI-powered systems using both traditional ML and generative AI techniques, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and embeddings

• Build intelligent applications and agents that can perform tasks autonomously or interactively, using frameworks like LangGraph, AutoGen, CrewAI or similar

• Create modular, well-documented APIs and service components (e.g., using FastAPI or Flask) to enable model integration and consumption

• Develop and manage data pipelines, including data collection, transformation, and quality assurance to support model training

• Implement observability and evaluation mechanisms to monitor AI system behavior, including accuracy, drift, reliability, and task-level reasoning

• Collaborate with software engineers, data scientists, and solution architects to ensure seamless design, development, and transition to production

• Support rapid experimentation as well as robust deployment pipelines, depending on the maturity of each use case

• Stay informed on the latest trends in GenAI, AI agents, orchestration protocols, and evaluation frameworks to continuously evolve our capabilities

• Support project management tasks, including planning, tracking deliverables, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring alignment with client timelines and objectives

• Assist in preparing status reports, managing stakeholder communications, and identifying risks or issues in project execution

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML development or intelligent application engineering

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field

• Experience in Python

• Familiarity with modern ML/AI libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenAI APIs)

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and containerization tools (Docker)

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML development or intelligent application engineering

• Proficiency in Python

• Strong familiarity with modern ML/AI libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenAI APIs)

• Experience building APIs or backend services using FastAPI, Flask, or equivalent frameworks

• Exposure to agent frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, AutoGen) and vector databases

• Strong Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and containerization tools (Docker)

• Familiarity with cloud-based ML platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, AWS SageMaker, or Google AI/ML services

• Experience with MLOps pipelines, CI/CD for model delivery, or model monitoring is a plus

• Familiarity with orchestration standards or tools such as MCP or agent routing protocols is a plus

• Knowledge of AI system evaluation, observability, or prompt performance testing is a plus

• Ability to work on cross-functional teams, balance multiple projects, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences

• Cloud certifications in AI/ML services (Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud) is a plus

• Experience managing technical projects or performing hybrid engineer/PM roles, with strong organizational and communication skills

• Ability to balance hands-on development with project coordination, ensuring both technical quality and timely delivery

Flexible living locations across US, ability to travel as needed.

The estimated base salary for this job is $130,000 - $160,000 USD. The range represents a good faith estimate of the range that Huron reasonably expects to pay for this job at the time of the job posting. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to specific skills or certifications, years of experience, market changes, and required travel. This job is also eligible to participate in Huron's annual incentive compensation program, which reflects Huron's pay for performance philosophy. Inclusive of annual incentive compensation opportunity, the total estimated compensation range for this job is $145,600 - $188,800 USD. The job is also eligible to participate in Huron's benefit plans which include medical, dental and vision coverage and other wellness programs. The salary range information provided is in accordance with applicable state and local laws regarding salary transparency that are currently in effect and may be implemented in the future.
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Position LevelSenior AssociateCountryUnited States of America