Senior Lead AI Engineer

EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and artificial intelligence ("AI") company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect.

We are headquartered in New York and have more than 60,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

Role Title: Senior Lead AI Engineer

BU/Segment: Digital

Location: Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Flexible hybrid working)

Employment Type: Permanent

Summary of the role:

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Lead AI Engineer to spearhead the development of advanced AI agentic solutions and platforms. This senior engineering role requires deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modern software engineering practices. You will be responsible for architecting complex AI systems, implementing cutting-edge technologies, and establishing robust evaluation frameworks and guardrails for AI applications

As part of your duties, you will be responsible for:

• Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale AI agent platforms and multi-agent systems
• Develop and maintain AI guardrails and safety mechanisms to ensure responsible AI delivery
• Establish technical standards and best practices for AI development
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers in AI/ML technologies and engineering methodologies
• Build AI agent orchestration systems with complex workflow management
• Implement advanced prompt engineering techniques and dynamic prompt optimization systems
• Design fault-tolerant, distributed AI systems with high availability requirements
• Develop advanced caching strategies and performance optimization for AI workloads
• Create comprehensive logging, monitoring, and alerting systems for AI application
• Work closely with product managers, designers, and architects to deliver high-quality solutions
• Stay at the forefront of AI research and emerging technologies
• Evaluate and integrate cutting-edge AI models and frameworks into production systems
• Conduct experiments with novel AI architectures and approaches
• Be a self-motivated, curious, and productive under high pressure

Qualifications and experience we consider to be essential for the role:

• 8-10+ years of software engineering experience with at least 2 years focused on AI/ML
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and Agentic AI frameworks (LangChain, AutoGPT, Crew.ai , Nemo, …)
• Expertise in use of AI coding tools and agents (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, …)
• Proven experience with Model Context Protocol (MCP) is highly beneficial
• Expertise in AI guardrails and safety mechanisms implementation
• Advanced knowledge of prompt engineering, few-shot learning, and in-context learning
• Deep understanding of vector databases and similarity search optimization
• Knowledge of AI ethics, bias detection, and responsible AI practices
• Expertise in containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Bachelors or Master's degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, or related field

Skills and Personal attributes we would like to have:

• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and cloud architecture patterns
• Proven track record of leading technical teams and complex AI projects
• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain complex AI concepts to diverse audiences

As part of a leading global Data and AI company, you can look forward to:

• A competitive salary with a generous bonus, private healthcare, life assurance at 4 x your annual salary, income protection insurance, and a rewarding pension.
• At EXL, we are committed to providing our employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed and excel in their careers. We offer a wide range of professional and personal development opportunities. We also support a range of learning initiatives that allow our employees to build on their existing skills and knowledge. From online courses to seminars and workshops, our employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EXL is committed to diversity. Our company does not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, or disability status.
• At EXL, we offer a flexible hybrid working model that allows employees to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle while strengthening our culture of collaboration.

To be considered for this role, you must already be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland.