Principal AI Architect​/AI Lead Engineer

We are seeking an experienced AI Architect/Engineer for a full time/direct hire position with our client in Chicago, IL. This is hybrid, onsite 2-3 days per week.

* C2C and sponsorship are not available for this position
* Salary range: $220-$280k/year; the salary may be negotiable based on education, geo location and other factors

AI/ML Engineer - Model Tuning & Agentic Systems

We are seeking a highly skilled AI/ML Engineer with deep, hands-on experience building, tuning, and deploying advanced AI models in production environments. This role focuses on operationalizing LLMs, SLMs, and custom models at scale, and designing AI systems capable of automating complex workforce decision-making using agentic AI frameworks.

Model Development & Deployment

• Build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs, SLMs, and custom AI models at scale.
• Perform model optimization, evaluation, and continuous improvement across both large and small architectures.
• Own end-to-end design, development, and deployment of AI-driven products and workflows.

Technical Execution

• Write production-grade code (primarily Python) to implement AI pipelines, tools, and systems.
• Apply agentic AI design patterns to automate workforce decision-making, replicating manager-level decisions at scale.
• Integrate new models and tune existing ones, collaborating closely with the technical and product teams.

Performance & Reliability

• Drive measurable improvements in model performance and production outcomes.
• Establish performance metrics, run evaluations, and optimize for accuracy, speed, and cost efficiency.
• Ensure reliability, scalability, and maintainability of AI systems in production.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support customer adoption by clearly explaining AI functionality, performance, and implementation approaches.
• Guide customers through the AI integration journey, ensuring transparency and confidence at every step.

Required Technical Expertise

• Proven, hands-on production experience deploying real AI/ML systems (not theoretical or buzzword-driven).
• Strong capability in:
  • Tuning of LLMs and SLMs
  • Running and scaling models in production
  • Model performance measurement, optimization, and evaluation
• Solid foundation in AI/ML architecture and Dev Ops principles.

Platform Experience

• Proficiency with the AWS cloud stack.
• Familiarity with Microsoft AI tools (preferred but not required).

AI System Design

• Demonstrated success building reasoning-based, autonomous, or agentic AI solutions.
• Ability to design AI systems that automate complex decision-making logic at scale.

MUST HAVE:

-Hands-on expertise in tuning AI models-especially LLMs and SLMs.

-Experience running model tuning workflows at production scale.

-Strong understanding of model performance outcomes and optimization techniques.

If you are interested in this AI Architect/Eng position in Chicago, IL then please click APPLY NOW. For other opportunities available at Akkodis go to  If you have questions about the position, please contact Brenda Golden-Mitchell at bren

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Benefit offerings may include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit

Pay Details: $ to $ per year

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.