New

Applied AI Engineer

Vaco
$150,000.00 / yr
401(k), retirement plan, remote work
United States, Kansas, Kansas City
Mar 20, 2026
Applied AI Engineer Compensation: Up to $150,000 base salary (flexibility for exceptional experience) Location: Hybrid / Onsite - Greater Kansas City Metro Area 3 days per week onsite, 2 days remote Candidates must currently reside in the KC metro area or be willing to relocate within a reasonable timeframe Fully remote candidates cannot be considered Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. No current or future visa sponsorship available Engagement Type: Full?time, direct hire only No third?party agencies, consulting firms, C2C, or 1099 arrangements About the Opportunity Vaco Highspring is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a global enterprise organization with a strong technology footprint, including a proprietary SaaS platform and a technology?enabled services business. The organization is making a focused investment in artificial intelligence to improve internal efficiency, modernize workflows, and embed intelligent capabilities into its software platform. This role offers meaningful ownership and visibility, with a mandate to build and deploy AI systems that have real, production?level impact. The Role As an Applied AI Engineer, you will play a key role in integrating AI across internal systems and a customer?facing SaaS platform. You will work hands?on with large language models (LLMs) and modern AI tooling to automate processes, build internal tools, and deliver intelligent product features. This is a production?focused role operating at the intersection of engineering, product, and business operations, with close collaboration across teams in a hybrid/on?site environment. (3-days per week onsite in Greater Kansas City Metro Area, 2-days remote work.) Key Responsibilities Design and build scalable AI?powered services and tools to streamline internal workflows across multiple teams (e.g., operations, content, sales, support). Develop and deliver intelligent features within a proprietary SaaS platform. Integrate, manage, and optimize multiple LLMs and AI APIs (e.g., OpenAI?style, Anthropic?style, or comparable providers). Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, including guidance on architecture, best practices, and performance. Build and maintain backend systems and APIs that support AI functionality across products and services. Design infrastructure for model serving, orchestration, monitoring, and lifecycle management. Implement fallback strategies, model routing, and cost?performance optimization. Partner cross?functionally with engineering, product, and business stakeholders to identify high?impact AI opportunities. Apply best practices related to data privacy, security, compliance, and responsible AI use. Stay current with advancements in AI, LLMs, and MLOps, introducing new approaches where appropriate. Qualifications 6+ years of engineering experience with multiple years of experience in a production environment deploying AI/ML applications or infrastructure. Proven experience applying LLMs or similar AI models to real business or product challenges. Strong backend engineering skills (Python and/or TypeScript preferred). Experience with AI/ML orchestration and deployment tools (e.g., LangGraph?style frameworks, Airflow?like systems, Kubeflow, Ray, or workflow automation tools). Hands?on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes). Front end development experience in areas like React, Node.js, Web Development, front end web product design Solid understanding of MLOps practices, including deployment, monitoring, logging, and evaluation. Knowledge of data privacy, security, and ethical AI considerations. Experience supporting SaaS platforms or technology?driven products is a plus. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across technical and non?technical teams. Passion for applying AI in practical, high?impact ways. Why This Role High visibility and ownership of AI initiatives Opportunity to build AI systems that directly impact business outcomes Emphasis on production?grade systems, not experimentation alone Collaborative, hybrid environment with close access to stakeholders Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.