Lead Applied AI Scientist - GP25 (Evanston, IL)

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Lead Applied AI Scientist

Salary $186,500 to $190,000 per year

Location: Evanston, IL and various, unanticipated sites throughout the United States.

Benefits: Comp package offers min/max salary + COLA, leave policies, bonus incentives, relo, med/den/life ins, retirement benefits.

Job Role and Responsibilities: Drive the end-to-end development and deployment of scalable artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to solve complex business challenges for our clients. Translate unstructured business challenges into well-defined machine learning problems using best-in-class analytical frameworks. Build and deploy advanced AI and machine learning (ML) solutions (e.g., predictive modeling, recommendation engines, A/B testing frameworks, causal inference models) using tools such as Python, PySpark, SQL, and cloud-native environments. Lead model development from concept to production, ensuring statistical rigor and operational scalability. Evaluate and incorporate emerging AI and ML technologies, including Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), into solutions and product offerings. Envision and deliver end-to-end solutions combining data science, data engineering, and product thinking in a SaaS or product-led environment. Own project delivery and cross-functional team coordination across backend/frontend engineering, ML engineering, and analytics. Drive reusability and scale by modularizing and converting bespoke solutions into product features or automation pipelines. Act as the technical and strategic thought partner to client leadership and internal stakeholders. Develop storyboards and insights dashboards to communicate model impact and enable data-driven decisions. Lead business review sessions with clients to present outcomes, performance summaries, and strategic recommendations. Mentor and coach junior team members across AI/ML methodologies and problem-solving approaches. Institutionalize best practices, frameworks, and learnings across engagements and teams. Collaborate with leadership on team capability building, hiring, and training initiatives. Develop case studies and publications on AI impact stories across industries and domains. Contribute to thought leadership by publishing content on platforms like Medium, ZS.com, and relevant journals. Influence the AI roadmap and innovation agenda through client engagements and internal R&D. May work at various, unanticipated locations throughout the United States.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or a related field and 5 years of progressive, post-baccalaureate experience in the job offered or in a data engineering or data science - related occupation. Alternatively, Employer will accept a Master’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or a related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a data engineering or data science - related occupation.

Position requires experience in the following:
1. Building and deploying ML models in a real-world setting;
2. Programming in Python, Pyspark, and SQL;
3. Cloud platforms AWS, Azure or GCP;
4. Classical and modern ML techniques, including supervised and unsupervised learning, NLP, causal inference, and experimental design;
5. Generative AI and LLMs;
6. Stakeholder management, including strategic planning, project management, data analysis, change management, risk management, and conflict resolution; and
7. Mentoring junior team members in the AI/ML field.

Contact: Apply online or contact ZS at careers@zs.com referencing the Req ID above. Position eligible for Employee Referral Program (with incentives). Multiple openings.

ZS offers a comprehensive total rewards package including health and well-being, financial planning, annual leave, personal growth and professional development. Our robust skills development programs, multiple career progression options and internal mobility paths and collaborative culture empowers you to thrive as an individual and global team member.

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

To complete your application:
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment.An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At:
www.zs.com