Lead AI Engineer

About the Role & Team

IDC is building the next generation of AI-powered intelligence platforms that transform how technology decisions get made. Our platform re-imagines the way decision-makers discover and interact with trusted research anddata andis foundational to IDCs future.

We are looking for a Senior AI/Agent Engineer to serve as the player-coach dev lead for the new Memory / Living Intel Pod. This pods mission is making the platform remember users and proactively alert them when things change. It starts with memory: persistent cross-session understanding of each user. It grows into proactive intelligence:monitoringsaved artifacts for changes summarizing what matters and routing alerts to the right channel. The pod may eventually split into two teams as these capabilities mature.

You will be the first hire and will set the technical direction for a cross-functional team spanning AI/LLM engineering and backend infrastructure. This is a leadership role where you code more than 50% of the time.

What Youll Do

• Lead a cross-functional pod of 4-8 engineers spanning AI/LLM and backend infrastructure disciplines
• Set the technical direction for the pods memory and proactive intelligence systems
• Build memory capabilities that give the platform persistent cross-session understanding of each user
• Design proactive intelligence systems thatmonitorartifacts for changes summarize what matters and route alerts to the right channel
• Integrate with the AI agent pipeline and channel adapters built by adjacent teams
• Define interfaces and contracts with adjacent teams
• Writeproductioncode. This role is coding more than 50% of the time

What You Bring

• 7 years of professional Python development experience
• Proven experience building LLM-powered systems in production environments
• Player-coachtrack recordleading teams of 4-8 engineers whileremaininga significant code contributor
• Experience leading across disciplines bridging AI/LLM engineering and infrastructure engineering
• Strong background in asynchronous system design: background jobs event-driven patterns scheduled processing
• Quality-minded approach to system design and code
• Comfort with ambiguity and building from scratch

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience building systems thatmaintainor evolve user context and state over time
• Familiarity with semantic search embeddings and vector databases (e.g. Snowflake Cortex PineconeWeaviate)
• Background in event-driven architectures job scheduling and change detection patterns
• Experience with LLM observability tools ( Weights & Biases)
• Track recordof standing up new teams from zero

Why This Role Stands Out
At IDC your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious high-caliber colleagues who value rigor integrity and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy investment and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here your ideas matter your voice is heard and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work backed by a culture that supports growth collaboration and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• Hybrid/remote work model (about 1-2 days in the office per week).

• A position in a highly professional and globally respected market research and advisory firm where initiative leading to results is rewarded.

• Individualized Culture: An environment where you can explore new areas outside your specialty and stay engaged with work you enjoy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.

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