ENG Careers

Day-in-the-Life: An AI Ethics Specialist evaluates a DSAI PoC for ethical concerns, such as bias in a facial recognition prototype. They start by analyzing model outputs and datasets for fairness issues. They collaborate with data scientists to implement mitigation strategies and meet with leadership to discuss compliance. Afternoons involve researching ethical AI frameworks or drafting guidelines for responsible AI use.

Transferable Skills:

• Ethical Analysis: Assessing AI for bias and fairness.

• Policy Development: Creating AI governance frameworks.

• Collaboration: Working with technical and legal teams.

• Communication: Explaining ethical issues to stakeholders.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: AI Ethics Analyst ($60,000–$90,000).

• Mid-Level: AI Ethics Specialist ($90,000–$130,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior AI Ethics Specialist ($130,000–$180,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of AI Ethics ($180,000–$300,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $60,000–$90,000

• Mid-Level: $90,000–$130,000

• Senior-Level: $130,000–$180,000

• Executive-Level: $180,000–$300,000+

Day-in-the-Life: An AI Product Manager defines requirements for a DSAI-driven PoC, such as a predictive analytics tool. They meet with data scientists and engineers to prioritize features and ensure technical feasibility. They run user testing sessions to gather feedback on prototypes and refine the product roadmap. Afternoons involve stakeholder presentations or researching market trends for AI applications.

Transferable Skills:

• Product Management: Defining and prioritizing DSAI features.

• Technical Knowledge: Understanding AI/ML workflows.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Aligning teams and users.

• Agile Methodologies: Managing development sprints.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Associate Product Manager ($70,000–$100,000).

• Mid-Level: AI Product Manager ($100,000–$150,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Product Manager ($150,000–$200,000).

• Executive-Level: VP of Product or CPO ($200,000–$400,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $70,000–$110,000

• Mid-Level: $110,000–$160,000

• Senior-Level: $160,000–$220,000

• Executive-Level: $220,000–$400,000+

Day-in-the-Life: An AI Research Scientist starts by reviewing academic papers or experimenting with new DSAI algorithms for a PoC (e.g., a novel generative AI model). They code in Python, using frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, and run experiments on cloud platforms. They collaborate with engineers to integrate models into prototypes and document findings. Afternoons involve presenting results to peers, attending research seminars, or exploring new datasets.

Transferable Skills:

• Algorithm Development: Designing cutting-edge DSAI models.

• Research Skills: Conducting experiments and analyzing results.

• Coding: Proficiency in Python, R, or C++ for AI development.

• Communication: Publishing findings or presenting to technical audiences.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior AI Research Scientist ($90,000–$130,000).

• Mid-Level: AI Research Scientist ($130,000–$180,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior AI Research Scientist ($180,000–$250,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of AI Research ($250,000–$400,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $90,000–$130,000

• Mid-Level: $130,000–$200,000

• Senior-Level: $200,000–$280,000

• Executive-Level: $280,000–$450,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Software Engineer with an AI focus works on integrating DSAI models into a PoC application, such as a chatbot prototype. They code backend APIs, optimize model inference, and ensure scalability. They meet with data scientists to understand model requirements and test the prototype for usability. Afternoons involve code reviews, debugging, or exploring new libraries like FastAPI.

Transferable Skills:

• Software Development: Building robust AI-driven applications.

• System Integration: Connecting DSAI models with software systems.

• Coding: Expertise in Python, Java, or C++.

• Teamwork: Collaborating with data scientists and engineers.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior Software Engineer ($70,000–$110,000).

• Mid-Level: Software Engineer ($110,000–$160,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Software Engineer ($160,000–$220,000).

• Executive-Level: Engineering Manager or CTO ($220,000–$400,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $70,000–$110,000

• Mid-Level: $110,000–$160,000

• Senior-Level: $160,000–$220,000

• Executive-Level: $220,000–$400,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Solutions Engineer develops a DSAI PoC, such as an AI-powered diagnostic tool, by integrating models with front-end interfaces. They code prototypes, test integrations, and meet with stakeholders to demonstrate functionality. Afternoons involve refining the prototype based on feedback, documenting technical specs, or researching new tools for deployment.

Transferable Skills:

• Prototyping: Building and testing DSAI-driven PoCs.

• System Integration: Combining AI models with applications.

• Client Interaction: Demonstrating technical solutions.

• Technical Documentation: Writing clear specs and guides.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior Solutions Engineer ($70,000–$100,000).

• Mid-Level: Solutions Engineer ($100,000–$150,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Solutions Engineer ($150,000–$200,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of Solutions Engineering ($200,000–$350,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $70,000–$100,000

• Mid-Level: $100,000–$150,000

• Senior-Level: $150,000–$200,000

• Executive-Level: $200,000–$350,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Data Engineer builds pipelines to support a DSAI PoC, such as a fraud detection prototype. They start by designing ETL processes to clean and transform data for model training. They work with data scientists to ensure data quality and deploy pipelines on platforms like Apache Spark. Afternoons involve optimizing data workflows, monitoring pipeline performance, or documenting processes.

Transferable Skills:

• Data Pipelines: Designing and maintaining ETL workflows.

• Big Data Tools: Using Spark, Hadoop, or Kafka.

• Coding: Proficiency in Python, SQL, or Scala.

• Problem-Solving: Ensuring data availability for DSAI models.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior Data Engineer ($70,000–$100,000).

• Mid-Level: Data Engineer ($100,000–$150,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Data Engineer ($150,000–$200,000).

• Executive-Level: Data Engineering Manager ($200,000–$350,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $70,000–$100,000

• Mid-Level: $100,000–$150,000

• Senior-Level: $150,000–$200,000

• Executive-Level: $200,000–$350,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Data Scientist starts by analyzing datasets to build predictive models for a PoC (e.g., a recommendation system). They use Python or R to preprocess data, train models, and evaluate performance. They collaborate with engineers to integrate models into prototypes and present insights to project leads. Afternoons involve experimenting with new algorithms or documenting results for future development.

Transferable Skills:

• Data Analysis: Extracting insights from complex datasets.

• Machine Learning: Developing and validating AI models.

• Coding: Proficiency in Python, SQL, or R.

• Communication: Explaining technical results to stakeholders.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior Data Scientist ($80,000–$110,000).

• Mid-Level: Data Scientist ($110,000–$150,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Data Scientist ($150,000–$200,000).

• Executive-Level: Chief Data Scientist ($200,000–$350,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $80,000–$120,000

• Mid-Level: $120,000–$160,000

• Senior-Level: $160,000–$220,000

• Executive-Level: $220,000–$400,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A DevOps Engineer specializing in AI ensures the infrastructure for a PoC (e.g., a real-time AI inference system) is robust. They start by configuring cloud environments (e.g., Kubernetes on AWS) for model deployment. They automate CI/CD pipelines for rapid prototyping and monitor system performance. Afternoons involve troubleshooting deployment issues or optimizing resource usage.

Transferable Skills:

• Cloud Infrastructure: Managing AWS, Azure, or GCP for AI workloads.

• Automation: Building CI/CD pipelines for DSAI projects.

• Monitoring: Ensuring system reliability and performance.

• Collaboration: Working with engineers and data scientists.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior DevOps Engineer ($70,000–$100,000).

• Mid-Level: DevOps Engineer ($100,000–$150,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior DevOps Engineer ($150,000–$200,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of DevOps ($200,000–$350,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $70,000–$100,000

• Mid-Level: $100,000–$150,000

• Senior-Level: $150,000–$200,000

• Executive-Level: $200,000–$350,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Machine Learning Engineer begins by developing a PoC for an ENG project, such as a computer vision prototype. They write code to train models, optimize hyperparameters, and deploy them on platforms like AWS SageMaker. They meet with data scientists to refine algorithms and test prototypes for performance. Afternoons involve debugging, documenting code, or researching new ML frameworks.

Transferable Skills:

• ML Development: Building and deploying scalable AI models.

• Cloud Computing: Using AWS, Azure, or GCP for deployment.

• Problem-Solving: Optimizing algorithms for efficiency.

• Collaboration: Working with cross-functional tech teams.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior ML Engineer ($80,000–$120,000).

• Mid-Level: Machine Learning Engineer ($120,000–$180,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior ML Engineer ($180,000–$250,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of ML Engineering ($250,000–$400,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $80,000–$120,000

• Mid-Level: $120,000–$200,000

• Senior-Level: $200,000–$280,000

• Executive-Level: $280,000–$450,000+

Day-in-the-Life: A Prototype Developer builds a DSAI-driven PoC, such as an autonomous navigation system. They code front-end and back-end components, integrate AI models, and test prototypes for functionality. They meet with product managers to refine requirements and demonstrate progress. Afternoons involve iterating on designs, optimizing performance, or exploring new tools like Unity for interactive prototypes.

Transferable Skills:

• Prototyping: Rapidly building functional PoCs.

• Full-Stack Development: Coding front-end and back-end systems.

• Testing: Ensuring prototype reliability and usability.

• Innovation: Experimenting with new DSAI tools.

Career Progression:

• Entry-Level: Junior Prototype Developer ($60,000–$90,000).

• Mid-Level: Prototype Developer ($90,000–$130,000).

• Senior-Level: Senior Prototype Developer ($130,000–$180,000).

• Executive-Level: Director of Prototyping ($180,000–$300,000+).

Salary Range (2025, US):

• Entry-Level: $60,000–$90,000

• Mid-Level: $90,000–$130,000

• Senior-Level: $130,000–$180,000

• Executive-Level: $180,000–$300,000+