Lead, AI & Automation

Berlin Packaging•Chicago, IL

5d•$110,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Berlin Packaging is seeking an AI & Automation Lead to spearhead technology investments in AI and automation. This role is responsible for identifying, designing, and building solutions that drive operational impact through intelligent workflows, process automation, and AI-powered applications. This is a hands-on technical lead position where the individual will be the primary architect and practitioner, working with a team to deliver end-to-end applications. The ideal candidate has prior experience navigating complex enterprise environments and delivering business value through technology.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on software development experience, with significant depth in AI/ML, intelligent automation, or related disciplines.
Proven track record of delivering production AI and automation solutions in complex enterprise environments.
Strong proficiency in Python and/or JavaScript/TypeScript.
Fluency with REST APIs, microservices, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
Deep hands-on experience with LLM integration (OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure OpenAI, or similar), including prompt engineering and agentic workflow design.
Working knowledge of RPA platforms (UiPath, Power Automate, or similar) and workflow orchestration tools.
Strong grasp of enterprise system integration patterns, data pipelines, and API-driven connectivity.
Experience leading or technically directing a small team of engineers, including offshore or distributed team members.
Ability to earn trust quickly and communicate the value of technical work in plain language to business stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience in manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, or packaging industries.
Hands-on experience with Power Automate, Azure OpenAI, Salesforce AgentForce, or other enterprise platforms in an automation/AI context.
Familiarity with Agile or lightweight delivery frameworks suited to small, fast-moving teams.
Exposure to MLOps practices: model deployment, versioning, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Responsibilities

Architect and develop AI and automation solutions across the enterprise, including intelligent workflows, LLM-powered applications, system integrations, and data pipelines.
Evaluate and implement appropriate tools and platforms for various use cases.
Prototype rapidly, validate with stakeholders, and iterate quickly based on feedback.
Own the full delivery lifecycle: requirements, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing improvement.
Set architectural standards and engineering practices for scalable, maintainable, and production-grade solutions.
Partner with product leaders to identify and prioritize automation opportunities with clear ROI.
Translate business problems into well-scoped technical solutions with minimal oversight.
Maintain a forward-looking roadmap balancing near-term wins with long-term capability building.
Communicate outcomes in business terms to stakeholders.
Provide technical direction and hands-on guidance to a team of onshore and offshore engineers.
Set clear expectations, review work, and maintain quality and velocity for the team.
Foster a collaborative, high-accountability environment.
Build documentation, standards, and practices to keep the team aligned and the codebase healthy.

Benefits

Competitive PTO including vacation, personal days, holidays, and sick time
Berlin Shared Ownership Plan
Profit sharing
401(k) with company match
Medical insurance including dental insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for transportation, medical, and dependent care expenses
Vision insurance options
Paid parental leave for up to 12-weeks
Health club reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement
529 college savings plan
Employee Assistance Program for mental health and well-being
Calm app to improve mental wellbeing
Employee referral program
Company sponsored life insurance with optional voluntary life insurance
Company sponsored short- and long-term disability