AI Technical Lead at txidigital

TXI is seeking an AI Technical Lead to deliver practical technical solutions that deliver measurable business value to clients.   Building the right thing is often harder than building it right. More than 80% of digital innovations fail because they don't address real user needs. We take a pragmatic approach to innovation by deploying integrated teams to uncover user insights and turn them into compelling digital solutions. As an employee-owned boutique strategy and product innovation firm, our capabilities include product discovery, delivery, and adoption.    As the AI Technical Lead, you will bridge the gap between complex technologies and real business needs by acting as a hands-on implementation specialist and a pre-sales technical expert. You'll collaborate with our demand team to help them understand and explain AI to potential clients, while also delivering billable technical solutions on client projects. What We're Looking For Key Responsibilities • Design and develop software applications that address client problems while balancing technical feasibility and business requirements • Contribute expertise throughout the client journey - from initial scoping and estimation through development and knowledge transfer • Partner with clients to identify high-impact and pragmatic opportunities where AI can solve business challenges and deliver measurable outcomes • Communicate technical capabilities in clear, business-focused language that resonates with clients and builds TXI's credibility as an AI innovation partner • Develop proof-of-concept prototypes and demos that showcase AI possibilities and help clients envision transformative solutions • Ensure AI solutions adhere to responsible AI, including considerations for security, ethics, privacy, bias, and transparency • Continuously evaluate emerging AI technologies, capabilities, and limitations to identify new client opportunities and enhance TXI's AI service offerings • Equip the demand team with the tools, insights, and technical validation they need to discuss AI solutions with clients confidently • Upskill client teams and other TXIers to promote a culture of continuous improvement What We’re Looking For • Experience leading client projects from concept to implementation with measurable results • Strong understanding of business problems to quantify the impact of technical solutions • Problem-solving skills to adapt technical approaches to unique client challenges • Ability to explain complex technical ideas simply, without jargon, to both technical and non-technical audiences • Strong full-stack engineering background with the ability to quickly ramp up on new technologies • Established workflow for using AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) to enhance development productivity while maintaining code quality and security standards • Hands-on experience building, deploying, and implementing AI solutions • Technical proficiency in AI approaches, frameworks, programming languages, and development tools (e.g., LLM, Agentic AI, Vision AI, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Python, LangChain) • Experience with AI engineering practices, including model training, evaluation, fine-tuning, and deployment • Knowledge of responsible AI principles and practices, including security, ethics, bias mitigation, explainability, and privacy • Willingness to identify knowledge gaps and research solutions independently • Ability to balance sales support responsibilities with billable project delivery • Collaborative mindset to work with clients, business development teams, and delivery teams • Ability to foster a productive work environment and provide feedback to individuals and teams Time Allocation & Expectations The role will have a dynamic allocation of time between sales support and billable work, which will evolve as both you and our AI practice mature: • First 90 days: Focus primarily on learning TXI's business, understanding how we communicate our services, and engaging with early-stage opportunities and sales pursuits • Project Involvement: • You may lead client projects from the discovery phase (typically 2-8 weeks) to implementation. You’ll be fully billable during these engagements • For implementation projects, you may initially lead delivery with a co-tech lead if there is a need for you to transition out of the project sooner. • Long-term Balance: • Primary focus will be on delivering pragmatic technical solutions with measurable outcomes • Additionally, you’ll participate in top-of-funnel activities, sales/demand and thought leadership • Billable expectations will be measured quarterly rather than weekly, with a target of up to full-time billable time per quarter once fully onboarded. • Your schedule will likely include periods of no billability, followed by periods of focused billable work Success in this Role: • Clients understand what they're buying and receive tangible value • You maintain a healthy billable target when staffed on client projects • The client solutions you implement can serve as case studies for future sales opportunities • You contribute to the growth of our AI project revenue and capabilities • You empower the demand team to confidently discuss AI solutions with clients Who We Are   We’re a curious and humble group of people who are intentional about personal growth and supporting each other’s careers. We aim to explore new skills, frameworks, and approaches to deliver the most meaningful digital product experiences. And we’re constantly pushing ourselves to experiment, explore, and challenge assumptions.  We bring that same passion for learning and growth to our clients by digging into their organizations, reframing their problem statements, and spending time with their users. This ensures that we’re pushing our clients forward while developing and delivering valuable products that matter.   Learn more about TXI (video)   What your days will look like, and what success will look like   It’s important to set the right expectations to promote your growth at TXI. Here is some of what you can expect in your first two years as the AI Technical Lead.    Within 1 month, you will Begin the company onboarding process and immerse yourself in TXI's culture, values, history, and client commitments Focus primarily on learning TXI's business model, understanding our service communication approach, and engaging with early-stage opportunities and sales pursuits Gain a comprehensive understanding of our integrated development process, tooling, frameworks, and project methodologies Learn from our cross-functional teams of designers, engineers, delivery managers, and strategists Develop insight into the full client experience, from product discovery through delivery Deepen your understanding of the employee-owner experience at TXI Within 3 months, you will Complete your onboarding process Participate in your first TXI Quarterly with the entire organization Transition into more active involvement with client engagements and sales activities Within 6 to 12 months, you will Complete a comprehensive review with your manager Establish a balanced rhythm between client project delivery work and internal TXI initiatives Attend TXI in-person quarterly to meet many of your colleagues, including outside the office setting   Within 1 to 2 years, you will  Look back proudly on the projects and organizational changes you've inspired or directed, as well as the impact you have made across TXI Achieve a sustainable cadence in your role of helping to spearhead our AI capabilities within the engineering practice, demand, and throughout TXI  Some reasons why you might like working with us   We have been recognized for both our internal employee experience and for delivering a trusted customer experience. At TXI, we are intentional about the way we work and how we support both our team and our clients.    1. We focus on Product Innovation by helping to envision initial new product concepts for our clients. We are core contributors to shaping the work that we do and the problems we're working to solve. In addition to that ideation stage, we get to help them bring these new concepts to market. We help both to build the right thing (design thinking and product discovery) and build the thing right (agile mindset and iterative approach). 2. We care about DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging). To deliver the best solutions, we need positive, inclusive environments with as much diversity in the room as possible. Learn more about our DEIB learnings, roadmap, and history: [Upgrade to PRO to see link]   3. We work in a variety of industries and encourage our team members to explore new domains, solve different kinds of problems, and adopt new technologies. You’ll work across industrial products and services, logistics, rail and fleet management, biopharma, and digital health; and build data, web, IoT, and intelligent products and solutions.  4. We work in integrated teams (and occasionally we will work as staff augmentation if there's a good rationale for it). At TXI, we seek to bring all of the good ideas to the table so you learn from the talented teammates you regularly pair with. Strategy, delivery management, design, and engineering regularly collaborate. 5. We are intentional about supporting each individual's growth. "Challenge and support each other" is a core value of the company and we take that mission seriously. That's why every employee has a personal learning & development budget and a bi-weekly conversation with their manager about their progress–as well as why we created our Career Pathways to equitably promote each person's path at TXI.  6. We value transparency and open discussion. As an employee-owner, you will have a front-line view of the company's performance, risks and issues, finances, and budgets.  7. We build products that matter. We advance the causes and goals of our partners and consistently deliver outcomes for them. See some examples below.   What We Make   For over two decades, we've partnered with clients across industries to research, design, and develop custom web and mobile applications that make a meaningful impact. Some examples of that impact include:    <> Improving prediction of patient enrollment in global clinical trials for life-saving drugs through the integration of advanced analytics and digital innovation   <> Developing responsive applications for a major logistics company to amplify productivity and decrease maintenance time  <> Transformed a manufacturer from a company known for data loggers to an international leader in tech-powered environmental monitoring solutions through proactive, data-powered IT products <> Empowering nonprofits with real-time insight into progress and potential for donor impact through transformative fundraising software  <> Designing a digital experience that is driven by evidence-based treatment and therapy plans to support LGBTQ+ youths who face societal and personal biases due to their orientation   <> Driving accountability and motivation for patients recovering from spinal surgery through an integrated mobile app and a wearable device on the patient’s lower back <> Creating a new mobile app to inspire employees to love where they work by delivering meaningful savings and recognition in their workplace, while also amplifying merchant partner reach across the U.S.   But the work is just one part of what makes TXI a rewarding place to be. We support each other’s interests—whether it’s volunteering, organizing meetups, speaking at industry events, or learning new techniques and technologies. If there's something you're passionate about, we want you to pursue it and teach it to the rest of us. Our company Town Halls and regular practice meetings are just some of the ways we create space for sharing, learning, and professional development.   What We Offer   We believe in equitable pay. The salary range for this role is $150,000 to $195,000. In addition to base compensation and an incentive pay structure, we also offer the following benefits, which are intended to take care of you (and the people you care about): - Employee Stock Ownership Program: TXI is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP, which grants shares of company stock to all employees as a retirement benefit - Quality health insurance and medical travel benefit - Generous paid time off - Paid parental leave policy (equal for all TXI parents) - 12 weeks of paid FMLA leave for qualifying events, ensuring you can prioritize important life moments - 401k plan, including employer matching - Remote-first working environment with minimal onsite client work - Coworking weeks, company retreats, and all-hands days are company-organized opportunities to connect in person and outside of the office - Benefits for professional development, home office improvements, and renewable energy switching   Location   Chicago-based candidates are preferred. While we are open to candidates outside of Chicago, please note that periodic travel to Chicago may be required. We have a remote environment at TXI, with distributed team members in the US, Canada, South America, and Europe who work from home. We communicate and collaborate effectively in a remote environment using tools like Miro, Notion, Slack, and Zoom. We also prioritize virtual bonding and emphasize inclusivity, autonomy, and trust while cultivating a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive to supporting a positive employee experience.   While we encourage asynchronous communication, we often work in pairs or in collaboration sessions. Therefore, having some core hours that overlap with our clients and your fellow team members is important. Regardless of where you are living and working, all TXIers have multiple opportunities throughout the year to meet and hang out in person to continue building those connections.    We take equality seriously   TXI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to equal opportunity employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender (including gender identity, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.