Emerging Technology & AI Strategy Lead

Lamp Rynearson Inc. • Omaha, NE

2d

About The Position

Lamp Rynearson, Inc., a full-service civil engineering firm with 185 employees, is creating a company-wide role to guide the adoption and integration of AI and emerging technology into its daily processes. The role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and is not embedded in a single department or project team. The successful candidate will establish a practical technology function and roadmap, build tools and automations that staff use, improve technology literacy, and help engineering staff make their tools work better.

The role will evaluate emerging technologies for civil engineering and related work, develop and maintain internal solutions, support staff across offices and disciplines, and partner with firm leadership on priorities, budgets, progress, and return on investment. It will also help establish practical standards for data security, responsible AI use, and vendor evaluation, while coordinating with the IT Group and CAD Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 2–10 years in a technology, software development, data, or IT strategy role, including direct experience evaluating and implementing new technology.
• Working proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python or JavaScript/TypeScript, sufficient to build internal tools and automate workflows.
• Practical, hands-on experience applying AI/ML tools—including LLM-based tools, automation platforms, or low-code/no-code AI—to real business problems.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical ideas to non-technical staff and translate business problems into technical solutions.
• Ability to operate as a self-directed team of one, set priorities independently, and report directly to executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in AEC, civil engineering, or another technical or regulated industry, with familiarity with tools such as Civil 3D, ArcGIS or other GIS platforms, Bentley, or Revit.
• Experience automating engineering workflows using tools or interfaces such as Dynamo, Grasshopper, Civil 3D API, or ArcPy, or integrating engineering software.
• Prior experience in an innovation, digital practice, VDC, or IT strategy role.
• Familiarity with data governance, cybersecurity fundamentals, and responsible AI frameworks.
• Experience designing training or upskilling programs for non-technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Set the firm's AI and emerging technology strategy and create a practical, sequenced adoption roadmap across engineering, project delivery, and operations.
• Research software and technology relevant to civil engineering, including AI-assisted design and drafting tools, project management, GIS, and data platforms; make build, buy, or adopt recommendations.
• Coordinate activities with the IT Group and CAD Manager.
• Design, build, and maintain internal tools, scripts, and automations that address workflow problems for engineering and operations staff.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting, support, and informal training as the firm's resource for technology and programming questions.
• Partner with the COO and firm leadership on budgets, priorities, and reporting progress and ROI for technology initiatives.
• Establish practical guardrails for data security, responsible AI use, and vendor evaluation.
• Drive change management and technology literacy across the workforce.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level