Lead Software Engineer (AI/LLM)
Prana Tree is a fast-growing IT consulting and product innovation firm specializing in AI, Data Engineering, Blockchain, and Cloud solutions.We're currently hiring for a US-based global management consulting and technology client, a market leader in healthcare and life sciences. This role will start as a 6‐9 month contract with potential conversion to a full‐time position, or an extension of the contract if not converted.Location and workplace type: Hybrid model (3 days onsite) in New York, Chicago, or Princeton, NJ.Visa statuses accepted: USC, GC, GC EAD, H4 EAD.About the Role We are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer (AI/LLM) to guide a high‐performing engineering team in delivering scalable, innovative, and AI‐powered software solutions. This role requires deep technical expertise, architectural vision, and leadership skills to design and implement robust systems while mentoring talented engineers.Key Responsibilities Lead a team of software engineers to deliver high‐quality, scalable productsOversee solution design, technical architecture, and system performance optimizationMake strategic buy‐vs‐build‐vs‐OSS software decisionsDevelop applications that integrate LLM capabilitiesCollaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutionsEnsure coding, architecture, and security best practices are followedFoster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvementConduct design and code reviews; mentor junior engineersDrive Agile best practices, sprint planning, and ensure timely deliveryRequired Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field8+ years of software engineering experience, including 3+ years in technical leadershipStrong background in full‐stack development, cloud technologies, and distributed systemsExpertise in LLM engineering and API integrations (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini)Proven solution design and technical architecture expertiseStrong technology evaluation skills for buy‐vs‐build‐vs‐OSS decisionsExcellent communication, leadership, and problem‐solving abilitiesGood to Have Experience with microservices architectureKnowledge of MLOps and AI model deploymentFamiliarity with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes) and CI/CD pipelinesExposure to multi‐cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP)Seniority Level Mid‐Senior levelEmployment Type ContractJob Function Engineering and Information TechnologyIndustries Blockchain Services#J-18808-Ljbffr