Senior Manager, Applied AI

Hyliion•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Applied AI leads Hyliion’s enterprise AI adoption, partnering with departments across the company to turn AI tools into measurable gains in speed, quality, and capacity. Hyliion designs and builds the KARNO™ Power Module, a fuel-agnostic linear generator for data center, commercial and industrial, and defense applications, and is working toward commercialization with a lean team. The role identifies high-value AI opportunities across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and HR, then designs, deploys, and scales workflows, assistants, agents, and automations to capture that value. This is a hands-on individual contributor position. The Senior Manager builds solutions directly, trains and coaches teams, and develops departmental AI champions to sustain adoption. Working closely with IT leadership, Legal & Compliance, and functional leaders, the role also owns governance, security, and data practices that enable AI use while protecting intellectual property and meeting government contract requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 8 years of experience in technology, data, digital transformation, or process improvement roles, including at least 3 years leading AI, machine learning, or automation initiatives.
Demonstrated track record of deploying generative AI solutions, such as LLM-based assistants, agents, or automations, into daily business use with measurable results.
Experience leading enterprise-wide technology adoption across multiple departments, including training and change management.
Hands-on proficiency with leading generative AI platforms and enterprise AI tools, including prompt design, custom assistants, and agent configuration.
Working knowledge of APIs, low-code/no-code automation platforms, and scripting such as Python or equivalent.
Understanding of retrieval-augmented generation, data pipelines, and integration of AI with enterprise systems such as Microsoft 365, ERP, and PLM.
Ability to translate business problems into practical AI solutions and quantify value before and after implementation.
Strong facilitation and teaching skills, including the ability to train audiences ranging from technicians to executives.
Clear, direct communication skills and credibility with engineers, operators, and business leaders.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive change without direct authority.
Sound judgment on risk, privacy, and intellectual property protection when applying AI.
Comfort operating with ambiguity and building programs from the ground up.
Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to walk production and lab areas and wear appropriate PPE while following Hyliion safety procedures.
Ability to travel as needed, including periodic travel between Cedar Park, Texas and Milford, Ohio; estimated travel is approximately 25%.
Candidates who require sponsorship are not being accepted for this role.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical or business degree.
Experience in manufacturing, energy, aerospace, defense, or another engineering-driven industry.
Experience in a pre-commercial, startup, or high-growth environment.
Experience with AI governance and data security in regulated environments, including export control (ITAR/EAR) or government contract requirements.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain Hyliion’s enterprise AI roadmap with executive leadership; prioritize use cases by business value, effort, and risk, and connect initiatives to KARNO commercialization goals and departmental objectives.
Partner with departments to map workflows, identify opportunities for AI to reduce manual effort or improve decisions, and define success metrics before work begins.
Design, build, and deploy AI solutions end to end, including prompt libraries, custom assistants, agents, retrieval-based knowledge tools, and workflow automations; take solutions from prototype to production and own their performance after launch.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain on applications such as test data analysis, technical documentation, design review support, supplier and procurement analysis, nonconformance and root cause analysis, and production planning.
Partner with Commercial, Finance, Legal & Compliance, and HR on applications such as proposal and RFP drafting, market research, financial analysis and reporting, contract review, policy research, recruiting, and employee self-service.
Drive measurable adoption of company AI tools through role-based training, office hours, playbooks, and a network of departmental AI champions.
Evaluate, select, and manage AI platforms and vendors with IT.
Maintain AI acceptable use policy, data classification guidance, and review processes with IT and Legal & Compliance; protect intellectual property and ensure AI use meets export control and government contract requirements, including those tied to U.S. Navy work.
Define and track AI KPIs, including adoption, active usage, hours saved, cycle-time reduction, and quality improvements; report results and ROI to executive leadership regularly.
Monitor developments in AI models, agents, and tooling; run controlled pilots and recommend where Hyliion should adopt, wait, or pass.
Lead company-wide AI initiatives without direct authority, influence senior leaders, and model AI-first ways of working across the organization.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, needed, or required for the business.