Lead AI Engineer

Key Responsibilities Machine Learning & Deep Learning Innovation Design, train, and deploy ML models across various business functions. Utilize supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning techniques to address a wide range of use cases. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify critical business problems and propose data-driven solutions. Conversational AI & Large Language Models (LLMs) Develop, fine-tune, and deploy enterprise-level LLMs (e.g., GPT, Ollama, Groq) for both internal and client-facing solutions. Implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and dialogue management systems to enable dynamic, context-aware conversational experiences. Drive initiatives in prompt engineering, model optimization, and response quality improvements. Enterprise-Level API Development & Integration Architect and implement RESTful APIs and microservices to connect AI models with internal and external systems. Collaborate with the IT team to ensure secure, scalable, and compliant data exchange practices. Work closely with DevOps to streamline CI/CD pipelines for seamless deployment of AI services. Data Engineering & Governance Partner with Data Analysts and Data Engineers to design robust data pipelines using tools such as Apache Spark, Airflow, or similar. Oversee data preprocessing, feature engineering, and data wrangling to ensure high-quality input for AI models. Ensure alignment with the organization’s data governance policies, maintaining data security and compliance standards. Technical Leadership & Mentorship Lead a small team of AI engineers and Data Scientists, providing guidance, code reviews, and best practices for ML/DL development. Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration through regular team meetings, workshops, and training sessions. Partner with cross-functional leaders (e.g., CIO, Data Analysts, Product Managers) to align AI initiatives with Rialto’s strategic goals. Continuous Improvement & Collaboration Stay current on emerging AI trends, tools, and frameworks, evaluating their potential business impact. Propose and champion innovative projects that leverage generative AI to transform Rialto’s business processes. Work with the Director of Information Engineering & AI to track key metrics (e.g., model performance, ROI) and report progress to stakeholders. Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree required in computer science, Engineering, or a related field preferred; Master’s or Ph.D. highly preferred. 5 years of professional experience developing AI/ML solutions, with a strong track record of successful enterprise deployments. Experience in financial services or real estate industries is a plus. Technical Expertise Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and related libraries (e.g., Hugging Face Transformers). Hands-on experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, and techniques for fine-tuning large-scale language models. Experience with data engineering tools like SQL, Apache Spark, Airflow, and data pipeline orchestration. Systems & Tools Familiarity with Azure cloud services (e.g., Azure Machine Learning, Data Factory) or equivalent cloud platforms. Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD best practices for scalable deployments. Solid understanding of version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows. Soft Skills Excellent communication skills to translate complex AI concepts into actionable insights for business stakeholders. Strong leadership, project management, and problem-solving abilities. Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across multifunctional teams and drive successful outcomes. While performing the duties of this job, the Associate is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop. The Associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet deadlines. This description outlines the basic tasks and requirements for the position noted. It is not a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Rialto Capital is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age (40 ), disability, veteran status, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities please visit: e-verify.gov. Rialto Capital is an integrated investment management and asset management platform, with a dedicated special servicer. Our mission is to be a world-class, industry leading organization that creates long term value for our investors and sustains results across market cycles. Our team of over 260 associates throughout the United States and Europe is guided by our commitment to a culture of social responsibility, inclusion & diversity, and responsible investing. Rialto Capital has made a commitment to create a high-performance culture driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and an absolute commitment to integrity, respect, inclusion and giving back to the communities in which we work and live. We have focused our vision on becoming a real estate investment, asset management, servicing and finance company most admired for its people, capabilities and performance. We are always looking for Talent within our Investment Management team. Please click on the Get Started button below to upload your resume and tell us a bit about yourself.