Director, AI Forward Deployed Researcher
AI summary of the role
Director-level role leading a team of Forward Deployed Researchers and Engineers embedded within Fortune 500 and regulated clients, driving frontier AI research into production.
What you’ll do
- Lead high-impact applied AI research initiatives during 3-6 month+ onsite client engagements
- Design and implement advanced GenAI/LLM solutions (RAG, multi-agent systems, fine-tuning, RLHF) for enterprise clients
- Manage, mentor, and scale a team of Forward Deployed Researchers and Engineers
- Act as trusted technical advisor to client CTOs, Heads of AI, and VPs of Engineering
What you’ll bring
- 10+ years hands-on software engineering and AI/ML experience with production systems
- 4+ years in senior leadership managing technical teams of 5+ professionals
- Deep expertise in frontier GenAI/LLMs including RAG, agentic AI, fine-tuning, and evaluation frameworks
- Hands-on proficiency with AWS, Azure, or GCP and PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, Hugging Face
Technologies
RAG · vector databases · agentic AI · multi-agent systems · fine-tuning · RLHF · PyTorch · TensorFlow · LangChain · Hugging Face · AWS · Azure
About WillowTree
Legacy digital product consultancy, now operating under TELUS Digital, that combines strategy, UX, full-stack engineering, digital marketing, enterprise AI, and customer-experience transformation for large enterprises.
Acquired · 5000+ people
Source and classification
Deployment team leadership · Evidence for this classification:
they are. All backed by the secure infrastructure and scale of our multi-billion-dollar parent company. Location and Flexibility This role can operate remotely within the US (we are prioritizing candidates based on the US West Coast) OR be based out of one of our major US office locations - Charlottesville, VA, Durham, NC, Columbus, OH, or Boston, MA. The Opportunity The Director, Forward Deployed Researcher is a strategic leader, advanced AI research specialist, and manager who directly oversees and engages in the highest-value client implementations. This role is responsible for driving frontier AI research into production, setting the strategic technical direction for enterprise clients, and managing a team of Forward Deployed Researchers and Engineers. This role operates at the critical intersection of cutting-edge research, software engineering, executive-level strategic
More from the job description
Who We Are Welcome to TELUS Digital - where innovation drives impact at a global scale. As an award-winning digital product consultancy and the digital division of TELUS, one of Canada’s largest telecommunications providers, we design and deliver transformative customer experiences through cutting-edge technology, agile thinking, and a people-first culture. With a global team across North America, South America, Central America, Europe, and APAC, we offer end-to-end expertise across eight core service areas: Digital Product Consulting, Digital Marketing Services, Data & AI, Strategy Consulting, Enterprise Technology, Enterprise Applications, Cloud Engineering, and QA & Test Engineering. From mobile apps and websites to voice UI, chatbots, AI, customer service, and in-store solutions, TELUS Digital enables seamless, trusted, and digitally powered experiences that meet customers wherever they are. All backed by the secure infrastructure and scale of our multi-billion-dollar parent company. Location and Flexibility This role can operate remotely within the US (we are prioritizing candidates based on the US West Coast) OR be based out of one of our major US office locations - Charlottesville, VA, Durham, NC, Columbus, OH, or Boston, MA. The Opportunity The Director, Forward Deployed Researcher is a strategic leader, advanced AI research specialist, and manager who directly ove [... source excerpt omitted ...] es in the highest-value client implementations. This role is responsible for driving frontier AI research into production, setting the strategic technical direction for enterprise clients, and managing a team of Forward Deployed Researchers and Engineers. This role operates at the critical intersection of cutting-edge research, software engineering, executive-level strategic consulting, and team management As a Forward Deployed Researcher, Director, you will embed directly within Fortune 500 and highly regulated client organizations to advance frontier AI implementations, shape AI strategy, deliver bespoke production systems, and build world-class technical teams. Unlike tradi [... source excerpt omitted ...] r unique challenges, conduct applied research, and lead the delivery of transformative AI solutions grounded in both frontier techniques and practical enterprise constraints. Key Responsibilities Strategic AI Research & Executive Consulting Act as a trusted technical and research advisor to client executive leadership (CTOs, Heads of AI, VPs of Engineering, Board Members) on overall AI strategy, roadmap, and competitive positioning Translate frontier AI research and complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies and implementation plans that justify premium engagement and drive measurable ROI Shape client understanding of what constitutes "production-ready," "scal
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