Lead GenAI Engineer

We are on the lookout for a Lead GenAI Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will oversee the full development, deployment, and operational cycle of enterprise-grade AI-powered applications. The position merges backend engineering, LLM integration, cloud infrastructure, and AI platform operations to deliver scalable GenAI solutions in live production environments. You will collaborate closely with AI/DS, Product, and DevOps teams to build and grow AI-driven applications, upholding reliability, observability, performance optimization, and operational excellence across the complete AI SDLC. The role also involves supporting GenAI-assisted development practices, helping expand the client's enterprise AI SDLC processes, contributing to AI Beauty Chat initiatives through agentic micro-pod delivery models, and carrying out System Steward duties across AI platform initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, deploy, and maintain backend services that power AI/LLM-driven applications
• Hold full accountability for GenAI feature delivery, from initial build through to production support
• Connect and manage LLM APIs, including OpenAI, within enterprise production environments
• Develop APIs, orchestration layers, and microservices that enable agentic AI workflows
• Tune LLM systems for latency, resiliency, retries, fallbacks, and cost efficiency
• Set up CI/CD pipelines, observability, monitoring, and logging for AI services
• Work alongside AI/DS, Product, DevOps, and platform teams to simplify delivery and boost reliability
• Operate within Azure cloud environments alongside distributed systems, including Redis, Kafka, and SQL/NoSQL databases
• Facilitate MCP integrations, agentic memory initiatives, and AI orchestration frameworks
• Advocate for GenAI-assisted development practices and support scaling of the client's AI SDLC processes
• Assist with AI Beauty Chat delivery through agentic micro-pod execution models
• Carry out System Steward duties within agentic micro-pods

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant field
• At least one year of experience in a team leadership or management capacity
• Main area of specialization in AI Engineering, with an emphasis on backend systems
• Well-developed background in Python backend development
• Track record of building and running enterprise-grade GenAI/LLM applications from start to finish
• Direct experience working with OpenAI or other LLM APIs in live production settings
• Competence in prompt engineering and various orchestration approaches
• Experience tackling operational hurdles tied to LLMs, including latency, retry logic, fallback handling, observability, and cost control
• Deep familiarity with distributed systems and scalable backend architecture
• Background in CI/CD practices, DevOps tooling, and Azure-based cloud environments
• Experience embedding GenAI into the software development lifecycle, spanning AI-assisted coding, testing, deployment, and release processes
• Practical knowledge of SQL/NoSQL databases, along with Redis and Kafka
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with varied audiences
• Excellent English proficiency (B2 level or higher)

Nice to have

• Exposure to agentic workflow design
• Hands-on background with Databricks and MCP

Benefits

• International projects with top brands
• Work with global teams of highly skilled, diverse peers
• Healthcare benefits
• Employee financial programs
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Upskilling, reskilling and certification courses
• Unlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning library and 22,000+ courses
• Global career opportunities
• Volunteer and community involvement opportunities
• EPAM Employee Groups
• Award-winning culture recognized by Glassdoor, Newsweek and LinkedIn