AI Engineer – Human Capital

OVERVIEW:

The D. E. Shaw group seeks an engineer with a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) to join its Human Capital (HC) team. This individual will be an early member of a growing team that designs, builds, and implements AI solutions that transform how the firm attracts, assesses, develops, and retains talent, working at the intersection of people strategy, product design, and emerging AI capabilities. The role offers the chance to collaborate with colleagues across HC, product management, and software development to embed AI into workflows that are genuinely impactful.

WHAT YOU'LL DO DAY-TO-DAY:

• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify where AI can transform work, translating business needs into practical, well-scoped solutions.
• Design and build prototype solutions for high-impact use cases using Python.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineering teams to integrate AI features into systems while aligning with the firm's technical architecture and governance standards.
• Support the evaluation and refinement of AI tools by gathering feedback, monitoring outcomes, and recommending improvements.
• Contribute to the creation of user guides and training materials to facilitate adoption and ensure responsible use of AI technologies.
• Stay current on the rapidly evolving AI landscape, bringing informed perspectives on new models, tooling, and best practices to the team's strategic and tactical decisions.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• A bachelor’s degree and up to five years of experience in human capital, data science, or technology development, with exposure to AI technologies.
• Fluency in Python, data fluency, and familiarity with LLMs and GAI tools, including prompt design, Cursor, and Claude Code, as well as concepts like RAG and agentic architectures.
• Knowledge of statistical methods; experience in social science research methods is preferred.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments, manage multiple workstreams, navigate cross-functional dependencies, and drive work forward with speed.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written communication skills, with a collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business needs into practical AI-driven solutions and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advanced coursework or experience with technology-driven projects is a plus.
• The expected annual base salary for this position is $135,000 to $175,000 for applicants who have completed undergraduate or master’s degrees and $150,000 to $200,000 for applicants who have completed PhDs. Our compensation and benefits package includes variable compensation in the form of a year-end bonus, guaranteed in the first year of hire, and benefits including medical and prescription drug coverage, 401(k) contribution matching, wellness reimbursement, family building benefits, and a charitable gift match program.