Senior Data Engineer, AI/ML

Senior Data Engineer, AI/ML

• Location: U.S.-based
• Travel: Some assignments may require 50–80% travel, while others may require little to no travel. At this time, we are only considering candidates who are open to travel.
• Hours: Typically 40+ hours per week during an active project
• Duration: Varies by project
• Engagement: W-2 contract opportunities only

Bring your data engineering expertise to complex, high-impact consulting projects. MBO Partners is supporting a leading global professional services firm in developing a flex talent network of experienced Data Engineers.

Professionals who successfully complete the qualification process and are added to the network will be considered ready to deploy and may receive early consideration for projects aligned with their expertise, availability, and travel preferences.

What You May Work On

• Design scalable data architectures and pipelines for AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics
• Build and optimize data solutions using distributed processing and modern data engineering technologies
• Develop data foundations and workflows for machine learning, Generative AI, and agentic AI, including feature engineering, RAG, embeddings, and vector databases
• Build and maintain production data workflows using technologies such as Spark, Databricks, Airflow, and Dagster
• Support MLOps and LLMOps, including CI/CD, monitoring, model and agent evaluation, and automated workflows
• Implement data security and governance controls, including PII/PHI protection, authentication, and role-based access
• Work across AWS, Azure, and GCP and use infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform
• Lead technical workstreams and collaborate with data scientists, ML engineers, clients, and other technical stakeholders
• Guide clients through complex data, AI, and technology decisions

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience
• 7+ years of professional data engineering experience
• Experience leading technical workstreams, mentoring engineers, or driving engineering best practices
• Expert-level Python and SQL skills, with experience working in polyglot environments such as Java or Scala
• Hands-on experience building data solutions for machine learning, Generative AI, agentic AI, or advanced analytics
• Experience with technologies such as Spark, Databricks, Dask, Airflow, Dagster, Kedro, or similar data engineering frameworks
• Experience with RAG, embeddings, vector databases, feature engineering, or other production AI data workflows
• Knowledge of MLOps/LLMOps, CI/CD, cloud platforms, and infrastructure as code is strongly preferred
• Experience with data security, governance, authentication, RBAC, and sensitive data such as PII/PHI
• Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and client communication skills
• Ability to work independently and lead technical workstreams in a consulting environment
• Willingness and ability to travel 50–80% when required

What to Expect After Applying

Candidates selected to advance will complete a technical assessment, identity verification, conflict-of-interest review, and MBO’s Right to Represent authorization. Those who successfully complete these steps may be added to the flex talent network as ready-to-deploy consultants and considered for future client projects.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated compensation for active project assignments is $70–$150 per hour on a W-2 basis . Actual pay rate will depend on experience, qualifications, location, and other job-related factors. While actively assigned, employees will receive a fixed weekly amount calculated using the applicable hourly rate and estimated schedule. Compensation applies only during a confirmed project assignment.

Eligibility and Assignment Information

• Candidates must reside in and be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are engaging directly with candidates and cannot accept third-party submissions.
• This posting supports anticipated client needs and is not an offer for a specific project.