Lead, AI Production Services

Own and build the enterprise AI Operations practice ensuring all production AI agentic and automation solutions are reliable observable well-governed and continuously improving. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for building the AI Operations function from the ground up including implementing frameworks observability and operational playbooks. This leader defines and operationalizes AI Ops standards frameworks and capabilities across the organizationestablishing clear accountability visibility and control over AI systems at scale.

Serve as the functional leader for AI Operations partnering closely with Product Engineering AI Transformation and Delivery teams to ensure AI solutions are production-ready resilient and aligned to enterprise standards. Drive the implementation of governance observability and service management practices required to safely scale AI across the business.

This role establishes the operational foundation required to scale AI across the enterprise with confidence. By ensuring reliability visibility and control of AI and agentic systems in production this leader enables widespread adoption while minimizing operational risk controlling costs and driving continuous improvement toward a more autonomous and efficient organization.

This position will offer flexibility for hybrid work schedules to include both in-office presence and telecommute/virtual work to be based from either Houston or Dallas TX.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Enterprise AI Operations Practice End-to-End
  Hold full accountability for the AI Operations strategy operating model standards processes tools and governance frameworksdefining implementing and evolving them to ensure consistency reliability and scalability across all production AI agentic and automation solutions.
• Drive Production Reliability Support and Governance
  Establish and operationalize ITIL-aligned practices for incident problem and change management tailored to AI and agentic systems. Define enterprise SLAs escalation paths and support models (internal supplier hybrid) ensuring strong governance of agent behavior access and production risk across large-scale AI deployments.
• Lead Observability Optimization and Continuous Improvement
  Define and implement enterprise observability and monitoring standards for AI behavior performance cost and risk. Establish proactive detection alerting and operational telemetry across AI systems. Identify cross-product trends and systemic issues driving improvements in reliability performance and cost efficiency.
• Establish Enterprise Reporting and Operational Reviews
  Define standardized AI Operations metrics scorecards and dashboards. Publish consistent reporting on AI solution health risks and performance. Lead operational review forums supplier accountability discussions and action tracking to ensure continuous improvement.
• Partner with Product Delivery and Technical Teams
  Serve as the primary operations counterpart to AI Product Management Engineering AI Platforms Architecture and DevOpsensuring alignment on production readiness observability integration risk management and operational excellence.
• Mature AI Operations as Capabilities Evolve
  Continuously evolve the AI Operations practice in step with advancements in AI agentic systems orchestration and automation technologies. Embed Responsible AI principles governance and cost optimization practices into operations.
• Build AI Operations Capability Across the Organization
  Develop and implement playbooks standards training and communities of practice to elevate AI operations maturity. Mentor teams and review production readiness and operational strategies to ensure alignment and scalability.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree plus extensive years of experience in enterprise IT operations service management reliability engineering or production support including 6 years of overall leadership experience to include leading operations for AI/ML/agentic/production systems in large-scale environments or demonstrated equivalent experience and education.
• Proven experience defining and governing operations frameworks standards and operating models across teams.
• Deep knowledge of AI/agentic production challenges (LLM observability agent behavior governance RAG/prompt drift orchestration risks cost management).
• Expertise in ITIL practices observability (e.g. Prometheus Grafana OpenTelemetry) incident/change management SLAs and supplier governance.
• Strong background in risk management FinOps/Cloud cost optimization and executive-level reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with AI platforms like Azure AI Foundry AWS Bedrock LangChain or UiPath in production.
• Knowledge of Responsible AI operations agentic risk governance and emerging AI standards.
• Background in site reliability engineering (SRE) DevOps or enterprise architecture.
• Experience with hybrid/multi-cloud environments and supplier management.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science Engineering or related field.

Additional Information :

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position
• Sponsorship for US work authorization is not available for this position now or in the future.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status AECOM benefits may include medical dental vision life AD&D disability benefits paid time off leaves of absences voluntary benefits perks flexible work options well-being resources employee assistance program business travel insurance service recognition awards retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities we solve our clients complex challenges in water environment energy transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle from advisory planning design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at . 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts youll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills helping you build the career youve always envisioned. Here youll find a welcoming workplace built on respect collaboration and communitywhere you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time