AI Engineer

ROBERT E MASON & ASSOCIATES INC•Charlotte, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lean AI Engineer will help design, build, and deploy lightweight, domain-specific AI tools—including embedded LLM agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems, and workflow co-pilots. This role focuses on solving practical engineering and operations problems using narrowly scoped GenAI and ML solutions that can run on local or hybrid infrastructure in DOE-compliant environments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
3+ years experience in AI/ML, NLP, or data science roles. Academic experience is acceptable
Experience building or integrating with LLMs (e.g., OpenAI, HuggingFace, LLaMA).
Strong Python skills (FastAPI, LangChain, PyTorch, etc.).
Understanding of vector databases and embedding models.
Knowledge of cloud deployment models (Azure, AWS, GovCloud).
Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and edge/on-prem compute.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Highly communicative, detail-oriented, and career-minded with the ability to multitask.
Customer service-oriented with a positive attitude, always willing to tackle any task and go the extra mile.
Excellent communication skills
Resourcefulness and troubleshooting aptitude
Attention to detail
Ability to follow detailed instructions
Verbal and written communication Skills
Time Management Skills
Teamwork
BSc/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience with semantic search, knowledge graphs, or enterprise RAG.
Familiarity with DOE or highly regulated environments.
Exposure to SCADA, DCS, or control systems as AI input sources.
Contributions to open-source AI tooling or fine-tuning pipelines.
Experience with industrial data sources and IoT data such as SCADA/DCS, PLC, or process control.
Knowledge of data warehousing concepts and technologies (e.g., Redshift, Snowflake).
Understanding of machine learning concepts and experience with model deployment.
Certifications in relevant technologies and platforms.

Responsibilities

Develop and deploy lightweight GenAI agents (e.g., SOP Assistants, Throughput Co-Pilots) using open-source or cloud-hosted LLMs.
Design retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines using tools like LangChain, Semantic Kernel, or custom logic.
Create and manage vector stores for knowledge retrieval using FAISS, Qdrant, or Azure AI Search.
Work with stakeholders to extract, clean, and embed SOPs, logs, and operational knowledge into AI-ready formats.
Integrate AI systems with internal tools (SharePoint, Power BI, custom dashboards).
Contribute to fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and orchestration of model pipelines.
Package models and pipelines into secure, containerized apps suitable for offline or GovCloud deployment.
Document systems, workflows, and compliance touchpoints.
Collaborate closely with OT, IT, cybersecurity, and business operations teams to meet deployment constraints.
Support internal customers by developing innovative solutions to meet their data needs.
Enhance and support the CI/CD automation needs of the business.
Previous experience as an active SCRUM team member.

Benefits

Participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
Retirement plan, including a Safe Harbor contribution
Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance
Employer paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Generous paid leave options that include vacation time, sick leave, personal leave time, R.E. Mason Way Half Day, paid Jury Duty, and paid Bereavement Leave
Paid Parental Leave
Paid company holidays
Career Development Program
Retirement and Financial Wellness program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)