Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead)

The primary responsibilities for the Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead) at NISC include designing, developing, and implementing AI-powered solutions for our enterprise software platform. You'll lead a team of engineers, providing technical guidance and ensuring best practices in AI/ML development. Your role will involve staying at the forefront of AI advancements, developing LLM applications, and enhancing model training and optimization to drive innovation in our offerings for utilities and broadband providers.

To qualify for the Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead) role at NISC, candidates should possess a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, along with extensive experience in software development, particularly in AI/ML. Specifically, a minimum of 10 years in software development and at least 5 years dedicated to AI/ML is required. Technical expertise in large language models and proficiency in Python, TensorFlow, and cloud-based solutions are crucial for success in this position.

As the Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead) at NISC, you'll engage in exciting projects that involve architecting, developing, and deploying real-world AI/ML solutions. This includes working on applications powered by large language models and agentic architectures, optimizing ML models, and collaborating closely with data scientists and business stakeholders to enhance our AI capabilities in the utilities and broadband sectors.

NISC is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees, including those in the Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead) role. We offer an employee educational assistance program that supports further learning and skills development, along with opportunities to contribute to innovative projects that make a real impact. NISC promotes a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and personal development, ensuring employees have the resources to thrive.

The work environment for the Sr Software Engineer (AI & ML Technical Lead) at NISC is hybrid, allowing for flexibility between office and remote work. The position requires a minimum presence of three days in the office per week, fostering collaboration while also offering the advantages of remote work. Our team prioritizes integrity, relationships, innovation, and teamwork, creating a supportive atmosphere focused on both employee satisfaction and delivering quality service to our members.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you successfully deployed AI/ML solutions, focusing on real-world applications. Discuss your role, the technologies used, and how the application delivered tangible business outcomes.

Emphasize the importance of communication and collaboration within the team. Share examples of how you've fostered an environment for creativity and problem-solving, which has led to successful project outcomes in your past roles.

Express your passion for continuous learning by mentioning your strategies for staying updated on trends, such as attending conferences, participating in webinars, or contributing to open-source projects. Highlight any specific sources you follow for research and industry news.

Provide a structured response detailing the steps you took to diagnose the problem, including data review, model parameter tuning, and collaboration with team members. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and the ultimate success of the model post-troubleshooting.

Discuss your hands-on experience with training ML models, including various algorithms you've implemented and any frameworks or libraries you've used, such as TensorFlow or PyTorch. Talk about specific optimization techniques you’ve applied to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Outline a systematic approach where you analyze the current infrastructure, identify integration points, and ensure seamless connectivity and data flow between AI applications and existing systems. Discuss any past integrations and the outcomes that resulted.

Discuss your commitment to ethical AI practices, including how you keep up-to-date with AI safety guidelines, using fairness metrics during model evaluation, and ensuring transparency in AI decision-making processes.

Describe specific projects in which you utilized large language models, detailing your role in their design, implementation, and impact on the overall outcome. Highlight the innovation and challenges faced during these projects.

Share your strategies for creating an environment where team members feel comfortable proposing new ideas. Mention your practice of encouraging experimentation and learning from failures to drive innovation and enhance team morale.

Articulate your understanding of the cooperative business model and its role in promoting community-focused solutions. Share your perspective on how your work can enhance service delivery for rural utilities and broadband providers, emphasizing your commitment to using technology for broader social impact.