Senior AI Data Scientist - LLM

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client in Charlotte, NC that is seeking a Senior AI Data Scientist with deep expertise in LLMs (Large Language Models), NLP, and Machine Learning to join a high-impact, high-visibility team. This is a hands-on, end-to-end role involving everything from data ingestion and model development to deployment and monitoring in production environments. The Senior AI Data Scientist will help drive innovation and roadmap development for conversational AI and IVR solutions, with an emphasis on production-ready applications-not just POCs.

Responsibilities:
* Lead end-to-end development of AI/ML projects
* Ingest and prepare data from structured (SQL, Oracle) and unstructured sources
* Build and evaluate models using LLMs, NLP, and traditional ML techniques
* Develop APIs and deploy models, including RAG pipelines and vector database integrations
* Collaborate with QA, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to ensure smooth CI/CD, monitoring, and scaling
* Engage with business stakeholders to understand challenges and deliver solutions
* Contribute to the innovation roadmap for conversational AI and IVR systems
* Take ownership of initiatives and drive them independently

REQUIREMENTS:
* 6+ years of total experience, with 4+ years in AI/ML roles
* Strong Python skills for data science and model development
* Proven experience with LLMs, NLP, and ML in production environments
* Solid understanding of SQL and data engineering principles
* Experience with text data analysis, model evaluation, and deployment
* Independent, self-starter with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
* Thrives in a fast-paced, delivery-driven environment
* Curious, innovative, and proactive-brings ideas to the table
* Strong ownership mentality with the ability to drive work forward independently
* Business-savvy and highly communicative

Nice to have:
* Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
* Exposure to Kubernetes (or willingness to learn)
* Experience with IVR systems, customer sentiment detection, and intent recognition
* Monitoring tools like Datadog or Grafana

Nice to have hands-on experience with:
* RAG pipelines and vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Weaviate)
* LLM prompt engineering and evaluation
* MLOps tooling: LangSmith, LiteLLM, LLM Guardrails
* CI/CD processes, model versioning, and production monitoring

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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