AI CoE (Center of Excellence) Lead

Job Description This is a remote position. AI CoE (Center of Excellence) Lead Location: Remote; ~30% Travel required (Domestic & International) Position Type: Full-Time Leadership (Director Level) About the Role We are seeking a visionary, hands-on AI CoE Lead to drive the architecture, engineering, and deployment of our AI-native solutions across Pharma & Life Sciences, HiTech, and BFS . Partnering closely with the CTO and Head of Sales, you will champion a spec-driven development approach, leveraging AI to build rapid prototypes and create highly differentiated functional/technical specifications. You will lead an elite team of Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) who embed directly within client workflows to translate these specs and prototypes into production-grade software. Key Responsibilities Spec-Driven Development & AI Prototyping: Pioneering a spec-driven engineering framework; leveraging AI coding tools and automation to build rapid, high-fidelity prototypes. Translate complex domain workflows into highly differentiated functional/technical specifications that power client demos, product buildouts, and seamless downstream implementations. AI Architecture & Industry Solutions: Drive the technical vision and modular expansion of our AI platform across Pharma (clinical/R&D), HiTech (engineering workflows), and BFS (risk/operations). Lead Forward Deployed Engineers: Hire, mentor, and scale a team of FDEs who sit directly with client teams, work inside their data environments, and ship production-ready tools into active workflows based on robust specs. Sales & Demo Partnership: Collaborate with the Head of Sales and CTO on high-stakes enterprise pitches, delivering custom technical architectures, functional specs, and live prototype demos tailored to client needs. Drive Workflow Adoption: Ensure models achieve sustained, unprompted daily usage by client teams. Translate client feedback directly back into core specs and product requirements. Standardize Infrastructure: Establish best practices for MLOps, model evaluations, data governance, and shared pipelines ("build the plumbing once") to accelerate client go-lives from specs to deployment in weeks. Functional Thought Leadership: Act as the primary Functional authority on specific areas to drive AI adoption, building deep credibility with client CxOs, R&D leaders, and business heads. Qualifications & Experience Spec-Driven & Rapid Prototyping Mastery: Demonstrated track record of using spec-driven development methodologies and leveraging AI tools (LLM coders, agentic workflows) to rapidly prototype, spec out, and validate complex enterprise software. Multi-Domain Context: Proven track record of deploying AI/ML solutions in enterprise settings, with deep familiarity in at least one core vertical ( Pharma, HiTech, or BFS ) and rapid learning agility across others. Technical Leadership: 2+ years in AI/ML or enterprise software, with proven experience client-facing engagements from presales to implementation. Deep AI/ML Expertise: Working knowledge of AI architecture, LLMs, RAG, NLP, and modern MLOps/data infrastructure. Executive Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical specs and prototypes for C-suite buyers and functional business leaders. Core Mindset Agile Builder: Combines high engineering standards with a bias for action, leveraging modern AI to accelerate prototyping and delivery. Insanely Curious: Continuously tests, learns, and integrates emerging AI frameworks and development paradigms into real-world applications. Cross-Functional Partner: Bridges the gap effortlessly between commercial strategy, core engineering, and end-user needs. What We Offer Competitive executive salary, equity options, and performance incentives tied to product milestones. Complete ownership of AI product strategy, spec-driven engineering, team scaling, and platform execution.