Applied AI Lead

About the Role

The Applied AI Lead will work closely with business leaders to identify areas where AI can drive significant improvements, from streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences. This will involve developing and implementing AI-powered solutions, managing AI security and risk, and collaborating with data scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration with existing systems.

Alternative Payments is a fast-growing company that is committed to innovation and customer impact. The company has a strong culture of collaboration and continuous learning, and the Applied AI Lead will be expected to embody these values in their work.

What You Will Do

• Act as the operational owner of AI at the business, partnering with functional leaders to identify high-leverage areas where AI tooling can dramatically reduce effort, increase quality, or accelerate timelines
• Stand up agentic workflows end-to-end using Claude Code or similar models, owning context engineering, prompt design, tool definitions, eval harnesses, and human-in-the-loop checkpoints
• Build and maintain reusable skills, sub-agents, and MCP integrations that compound across functions
• Own Alternative Payments' internal AI tool stack, including model selection, vendor evaluation, build-vs-buy decisions, license utilization, data handling policies, and access controls
• Support the biz-ops and operational engineering teams in building AI-native dashboards and workflows that are architected for scale
• Act as a resource on AI security across the organization, including prompt injection defense, access controls in agentic systems, vulnerability assessment, and staying current on emerging AI attack surfaces
• Collaborate with the Head of Data to ensure data infrastructure supports AI consumption patterns and advocate for what needs to change to unlock specific product bets
• Help raise AI literacy across the organization and facilitate training sessions
• Support the product organization on AI feature implementation, defining context structure, retrieval strategy, and how agents interact with platform data
• Propose and help establish AI best practices, tooling standards, and evaluation frameworks across both product and operational contexts

What We Are Looking For

• 6+ years of operating experience in biz ops, strategy, transformation, consulting, software development, data, or a similar outcome-owning role with meaningful depth in AI systems
• Production prompt engineering and context engineering experience, with the ability to articulate the trade-offs between long context, RAG, fine-tuning, and tool use
• MCP experience, including building MCP servers, integrating them into agent workflows, and understanding the design space
• Strong understanding of AI security, including prompt injection, access control in agentic systems, data exposure risks, and how to harden LLM-adjacent infrastructure
• Ability to move fluidly between product technical and operational/biz ops discussions
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Passion for innovation and customer impact, with a strong desire to make a real difference in the world of fintech

Nice to Have

• Experience working in a fast-paced, agile environment, with a strong ability to adapt to changing priorities and requirements
• Familiarity with cloud-based AI platforms and tools, including AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure
• Knowledge of emerging AI trends and technologies, including LLMs, generative models, and edge AI
• Experience with DevOps practices, including continuous integration and continuous deployment
• Strong understanding of data governance and compliance, including data privacy and security regulations

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to work with a fast-growing, innovative company that is committed to making a real difference in the world of fintech
• Collaborative, dynamic work environment with a strong focus on continuous learning and professional development
• Flexible working arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours
• Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies, including cloud-based platforms and emerging trends
• Professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and conference sponsorships
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance, including bonuses and stock options
• Comprehensive health and wellness package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous PTO and holiday schedule, with a strong focus on work-life balance
• Remote work stipend, including equipment and software allowances
• Opportunity to work with a talented, diverse team of professionals who are passionate about innovation and customer impact

• To stand out as an Applied AI Lead candidate, be prepared to demonstrate your expertise in AI systems, including your experience with production prompt engineering and context engineering.
• Show a strong understanding of AI security, including prompt injection defense and access controls in agentic systems.
• Highlight your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with MCPs, including building MCP servers and integrating them into agent workflows.
• Emphasize your passion for innovation and customer impact, and your desire to make a real difference in the world of fintech.
• Make sure to research the company and the role, and be prepared to ask informed questions during the interview process.
• Consider creating a portfolio or repository of your AI-related projects and experiences, to showcase your skills and expertise to potential employers.