ZS Associates

AI Engineering Manager, Agentic Foundation

ZS Associates$150K — $180K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Deep software engineering background in core computer science, data structures, algorithms, and system design.
  • Engineering management experience with hands-on leadership skills.
  • Proven experience in large-scale, distributed, multi-tier application development.
  • Strong backend development skills with Python; familiarity with FastAPI, Flask, or similar.
  • In-depth understanding of distributed systems, microservices, and API design.
  • Hands-on experience with production-grade GenAI or LLM systems, including prompt pipelines and model integrations.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to clearly communicate technical trade-offs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead architecture and design for complex, large-scale AI systems across varied layers.
  • Define and oversee engineering standards, design patterns, and API structures.
  • Architect production-grade GenAI systems utilizing modern technologies and workflows.
  • Guide team members through technical design and code reviews.
  • Manage parallel workstreams focusing on planning, risk identification, and execution.
  • Ensure system observability and alignment with cloud-native practices.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into technical solutions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive total rewards package supporting health, financial future, and professional development.
  • Flexible hybrid working model promoting work-life balance.
  • Robust skills-building programs and internal mobility paths for career growth.
  • Collaborative culture fostering meaningful work and community connections.
Full Job Description
What you'll do: AI Engineering Managers in ZAIDYN Content will own the end-to-end architecture, design, and delivery of large-scale AI and platform systems supporting the Agentic Foundation workstream. In this role, you will lead teams building multi-tier, distributed applications across API, service, data, and AI layers while staying deeply engaged in system design and technical reviews. You will drive engineering excellence across performance, scalability, reliability, maintainability, and production readiness. You will serve as a technical authority for complex architectural and production challenges, making pragmatic trade-offs that balance near-term delivery with long-term platform evolution. You will partner closely with Product, AI/ML, DevOps, Data Engineering, and Consulting teams to integrate GenAI capabilities into robust enterprise platforms. You will also mentor engineers and help build a culture of technical depth, ownership, accountability, and reuse across AI components and platform capabilities.
  • Lead architecture and system design for large-scale, distributed, multi-tier systems spanning frontend, APIs, services, data, and AI layers.
  • Define engineering standards, design patterns, service boundaries, API approaches, data models, and platform architecture decisions.
  • Architect and build production-grade GenAI-enabled systems using LLMs, prompt pipelines, model APIs, and agentic or workflow-based approaches.
  • Guide engineers through design reviews, code reviews, technical debt resolution, and scalable implementation practices.
  • Own delivery across high-impact, parallel workstreams by driving planning, prioritization, risk identification, and execution discipline.
  • Ensure systems are observable, reliable, debuggable, production-ready, and aligned with cloud-native and CI/CD practices.
  • Partner with Product, AI/ML, Data Engineering, DevOps, and Consulting teams to translate complex business needs into scalable technical solutions.

What you'll bring:
    • Deep software engineering experience with strong foundations in core computer science, data structures, algorithms, and system design.
    • Engineering management or technical leadership experience with proven ability to lead teams while remaining technically credible and hands-on.
    • Experience building and scaling large-scale, distributed, multi-tier applications across backend, services, data, and AI layers.
    • Strong backend engineering skills, with Python preferred, and familiarity with frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or similar technologies.
    • Strong understanding of distributed systems, microservices, API design, service-oriented architecture, data modeling, and storage systems.
    • Hands-on experience building production-grade GenAI or LLM systems, including prompt pipelines, model integrations, and agentic or workflow-based AI systems.
    • Ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term platform evolution, reuse, standardization, and maintainability.
    • Fluency in English, a client-first mentality, collaborative spirit, strong problem-solving approach, and ability to communicate technical trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.
    • Ability to build engineering culture through coaching, hiring, structured development, and clear expectations for technical excellence.
    • Experience supporting complex platform or AI solution discussions with internal stakeholders and/or clients is preferred.


How you'll grow:
  • Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
  • Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
  • Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions


Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you're eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.

To complete your application:
An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At:
www.zs.com

About ZS Associates

ZS is a professional services firm that works side by side with companies to help develop and deliver products that drive customer value and company results. From R&D to portfolio strategy, customer insights, marketing and sales strategy, operations and technology, we leverage our deep industry expertise and leading-edge analytics to create solutions that work in the real world. Our most valuable asset is our people?a fact that?s reflected in our values-driven organization in which new perspectives are integral and new ideas are celebrated. ZSers are passionately committed to helping companies and their customers thrive in industries ranging from healthcare and life sciences, to high-tech, financial services, travel and transportation, and beyond.
Learn more about ZS Associates
Size
10,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1983

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