Senior Manager, AI Engineer Intelligence Layer

Alvarez & Marsal is seeking a Senior AI Engineer to lead development of the Intelligence Layer, a knowledge-graph-based platform that securely exposes structured and unstructured knowledge through search and AI-assisted experiences. The role spans architecture and delivery across graph modeling, ingestion, retrieval services, APIs, and production agentic pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain components of the Intelligence Layer, including ingestion pipelines, knowledge graph models, retrieval services, APIs, and user-facing capabilities.
• Develop and optimize graph schemas and queries using Neo4j and Cypher or comparable graph technologies.
• Contribute across the stack with a focus on back-end and Python development, with the ability to support modern front-end development when needed.
• Integrate structured data and unstructured content from enterprise systems while preserving source permissions, metadata, and governance requirements.
• Build integrations with large language model platforms and apply the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to make Intelligence Layer capabilities available to approved AI tools.
• Build, test, and operate production agentic pipelines, including multi-step orchestration, tool routing, MCP-based tool use, retrieval, state management, evaluation, guardrails, observability, and human-in-the-loop controls.
• Partner with the Lead and Architect and delivery partners on implementation, testing, debugging, code review, and technical documentation.
• Develop secure and maintainable software aligned with client confidentiality, access control, reliability, and observability requirements.
• Communicate risks and blockers early and support practical technical decisions as priorities evolve.

Requirements

• Five (5) or more years of software engineering experience building production applications or data platforms.
• Hands-on experience with knowledge graphs, graph data modeling, and graph query languages, ideally Neo4j and Cypher.
• Full-stack development experience, with strong Python and back-end skills plus working experience with a modern front-end framework.
• Experience designing, building, and consuming APIs, including integrating multiple structured and unstructured data sources.
• Practical experience with Claude, ChatGPT, or comparable large language model platforms.
• Hands-on experience building production agentic pipelines or workflows, including orchestration, tool use, retrieval, state management, evaluation, guardrails, observability, or human oversight.
• Working knowledge of the Model Context Protocol, including how MCP servers expose tools and data to AI clients.
• Experience working directly with third-party delivery vendors on implementation, technical review, issue resolution, and delivery coordination.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Technologies

• Neo4j, Cypher, Python
• Large language model platforms (including Claude and ChatGPT)
• Model Context Protocol, MCP
• OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, Microsoft Entra ID
• Microsoft Azure, React
• APIs, agentic pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building MCP servers, agent tools, or custom AI integrations.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure services for application hosting, data, search, identity, or AI.
• Experience implementing enterprise authentication and authorization using Microsoft Entra ID, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, token scoping, or on-behalf-of flows.

FIRST YEAR OUTCOMES

• Help deliver the initial production iteration of the Intelligence Layer knowledge graphs.
• Help deliver reusable agentic pipeline components supporting secure, governed workflows across business units and use cases.
• Enable global search and business unit specific search across approved structured and unstructured data sources.
• Deliver tested ingestion, graph, retrieval, API, and user-interface components that internal teams can operate and extend.
• Establish reusable engineering patterns and documentation that support additional business units and data sources.

Benefits

• Healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages for regular employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including an annual discretionary contribution when eligibility requirements are met.
• Paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave.

Compensation and Location

Salary: USD 190,000 - 210,000 per year.
Location: Chicago, IL, United States (onsite).