Lead Applied Data & AI Engineer

• AI/ML

• Illinois

• Permanent / Full Time

Lead Applied Data & AI Engineer
Location:  Libertyville, IL
Hybrid work: 3 days/week on-site at Libertyville, IL; remaining days remote.
  
  
Responsibilities:
Data Engineering & Architecture

• Design and build data lakes, warehouses, and lakehouse architectures using Microsoft Fabric/OneLake and Azure Data Services.
• Implement data ingestion, transformation, and orchestration pipelines with strong error handling, logging, and observability.
• Integrate enterprise systems (SAP S/4HANA, BW, Datasphere) into governed data platforms.
• AI Engineering
• Develop and deploy AI/ML models (LLMs, SLMs, multi-modal, traditional ML) using Python and Azure ML.
• Build Agentic AI solutions leveraging frameworks like LangChain and Semantic Kernel.
• Apply RAG patterns and vector databases for retrieval-based AI grounded in curated data.
• Operational Excellence
• Implement MLOps best practices for reproducible, secure deployments using Azure ML and Azure DevOps.
• Ensure compliance with privacy and regulatory standards (PHI, PII, GDPR, HIPAA).
• Optimize cost and performance across data and AI workloads.
• Collaboration & Leadership
• Partner with global teams to integrate solutions into enterprise platforms (Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SAP Datasphere).
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices in data and AI engineering.
• Contribute to evolving data and AI standards and reusable frameworks.

  
Essential Functions:

• Lead hands-on development while applying architectural principles for scalability and governance.
• Act as a technical thought leader in data-first AI innovation.
• Navigate ambiguity and make informed decisions balancing data quality, time-to-value, and compliance.
• Represent Hollister in internal/external forums as a subject matter expert.

  
Requirements:

• 8–12 years experience in data engineering and AI/ML solution delivery.
• Proven ability to design and implement data platforms and pipelines at enterprise scale.
• Strong experience with Azure AI/ML tools, Microsoft Fabric, and SAP integration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Certifications (Azure AI Engineer Associate, Azure Data Scientist Associate) are a plus.

  
Technical Skills:

• Advanced Python, ML libraries (PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn).
• Expertise in data modeling, governance, and quality frameworks.
• Familiarity with LangChain, Semantic Kernel, and vector databases.
• Strong understanding of MLOps, CI/CD, containerization (Docker).
• Knowledge of Power BI enterprise modeling and Microsoft Fabric medallion architecture.

  
Preferred

• Experience in MedTech or regulated healthcare environments.
• Familiarity with SAP Datasphere and Microsoft Fabric integration patterns.