Lead AI Optimization Engineer - Google Cloud

Perficient currently has an exciting career opportunity for a Lead AI Engineer-Google Cloud. In this role, you will join Perficient, where you will help create best-in-class experiences for our customers. We are looking for individuals with hands-on experience and training in modern AI technologies, particularly within Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform). Strong programming skills are essential, along with the ability to develop, debug, and optimize AI solutions. A passion for exploring and working with cutting-edge AI tools and frameworks will set you apart in this position. This position requires being onsite in Boston once a quarter.

Perficient is always looking for the best and brightest talent and we need you! We're a quickly-growing, global digital consulting leader, and we're transforming the world's largest enterprises and biggest brands. You'll work with the latest technologies, expand your skills, and become a part of our global community of talented, diverse, and knowledgeable colleagues

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify opportunities for improvement across the portfolio to drive technical efficiency through AI initiatives
• Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate recurring manual tasks and identify automation opportunities
• Design and develop software tools and workflows to automate tasks and ensure long-term maintainability
• Demonstrate feasibility of AI use cases and implement client-approved models to enhance support operations and reduce manual effort
• Develop and pilot proof-of-concept (POC) solutions to validate new ideas and technologies before full-scale implementation.
• Work independently to build full-stack prototypes that illustrate thought process and direction
• Evaluate and recommend tooling improvements or integrations to streamline operational workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and researchers to design, develop, deploy, and fine-tune AI-driven features for platform optimizations
• Profile and optimize AI models for use in various applications
• Build AI Applications leveraging agentic frameworks.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI research, model conversion, and industry standards.
• Provide thought leadership by researching and introducing emerging technologies, market trends, and innovative approaches to enhance service delivery.
• Lead a small team of global engineers

QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep familiarity with the Google Cloud Platform AI stack: Vertex AI, BigQuery, Dataflow, and Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
• 5+ years of software engineering experience with fluency in one or more languages, including Java and Python. You must be capable of code reviews and architectural prototyping.
• Experience in core cloud platform technologies, specifically, Google
• Hands-on experience designing and deploying LLM-backed applications in high-throughput production environments. Experience goes beyond API calls to include fine-tuning, quantization, and context-window optimization.
• Solid understanding of distributed systems design, microservices, and API design principles (gRPC/REST). You understand CAP theorem, latency vs. throughput trade-offs, and how to design for failure.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support data-informed task execution.
• Familiarity with AI-enhanced platforms is a plus.
• A solid understanding of AI capabilities and limitations including ethical considerations is expected.
• Proven ability to lead "whiteboard-to-production" journeys. Experience navigating ambiguity, influencing client stakeholders, and driving technical consensus across cross-functional engineering and product teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent experience
• Certification (Professional Cloud Architect or ML Engineer) is a strong plus.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our Cloud Infrastructure & API Management team helps the world's leading brands modernize infrastructure, applications, and integrations to thrive in today's digital economy. We deliver cloud-native development, app modernization, API management, and DevOps solutions, enabling clients to maximize cloud investments, streamline processes, and drive innovation across the enterprise. Join a team that's harnessing the power of AI to build intelligent, self-optimizing cloud environments-leveraging predictive analytics, generative tools, and automation to create smarter, more resilient digital ecosystems.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Perficient, Inc. proudly provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Perficient, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Perficient, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or covered veterans. Improper interference with the ability of Perficient, Inc. employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Disability Accommodations:

Perficient is committed to providing a barrier-free employment process with reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the posting is removed.

The salary range for this position takes into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, level of experience, applicable office location, training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The new hire salary range displays the minimum and maximum salary targets for this position across all US locations, and the range has not been adjusted for any specific state differentials. It is not typical for a candidate to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the unique facts and circumstances regarding each candidate. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this position is $81,978 to $178,090. Please note that the salary range posted reflects the base salary only and does not include benefits or any potential variable compensation programs. Information regarding the benefits available for this position are in our benefits overview.

Disclaimer: The above statements are not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a guide to the essential functions performed by the employee assigned to this classification. Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position at any time. #LI-AB1 #LI-Google Cloud Platform #LI-Vertex #LI-GKE #LI-Gemini

ABOUT US

Perficient is the global AI-first consultancy. Our team of strategists, designers, technologists, and engineers partners with the world's most innovative enterprises and admired brands to deliver real business results through the transformative power of AI. As part of our AI-First strategy, we empower every employee to build AI fluency and actively engage with AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency. We break boundaries, obsess over outcomes, and shape the future for our clients. Join a company where bold ideas and brilliant minds converge to redefine what's possible - while building a career filled with growth, balance, and purpose.