Data Engineer II - QuantumBlack, AI McKinsey

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges?
You've come to the right place.

You will build the foundational data infrastructure that powers cutting‑edge AI applications leveraging LLMs, retrieval systems, workflows, and emerging agentic architectures.

You will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, manage secure data environments, and prepare data for AI‑driven systems while collaborating with cross‑functional teams and clients. You'll tackle real‑world challenges by contributing to the development of next‑generation AI systems and grow as a technologist by working alongside diverse experts across industries.

You will design and build the scalable, reproducible data components essential for machine learning, agentic, and autonomous AI systems. You'll assess data landscapes, apply data quality fundamentals, and prepare data for AI solutions. Additionally, you'll learn to translate simple hypotheses into engineered features, manage secure data environments, and contribute to R&D initiatives focused on innovating and scaling next‑generation AI capabilities.

Your work will help solve some of the most complex and high‑impact challenges facing clients across industries. Collaborating across Quantum Black, AI by McKinsey and Quantum Black Labs teams, you'll help develop innovative AI capabilities and scalable enterprise solutions. You'll help build robust data foundations for scalable, production‑ready AI systems. Your contributions will directly support the firm's ability to accelerate AI adoption, solve complex business problems at scale, and enable clients to achieve meaningful, lasting impact.

You’ll be based in one of our North American offices as part of our global Data Engineering community. Working in cross‑functional Agile teams, you’ll collaborate closely with Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and industry experts to deliver AI solutions. By partnering with clients—from data owners to C‑level executives—you’ll help solve complex problems that drive tangible business value and begin to build your skills as a client‑facing technologist.

You will grow at the forefront of AI, data engineering, and emerging agentic technologies. You’ll develop expertise at the intersection of technology and business by tackling diverse challenges in the evolving AI landscape. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of how data engineering enables advanced AI while collaborating with leading AI and data experts in the industry.

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture—doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you’ll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• G…