Lead AI Engineer, NLQ & Agentic Systems

Job Summary

Upwork is seeking a Lead AI Engineer to design and deliver next‑generation natural language query (NLQ) and agentic AI systems. This senior role is based in Toronto, Ontario, with a competitive salary ranging from $179,000 to $302,500 NZD per year.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, develop and optimise large‑scale NLQ models and autonomous agent frameworks.
• Lead a cross‑functional team of data scientists, ML engineers and product managers to deliver end‑to‑end AI solutions.
• Define technical roadmaps, set coding standards and enforce best practices for model training, evaluation and deployment.
• Collaborate with Upwork Marketplace and Lifted product groups to integrate AI capabilities into talent‑matching and workflow automation features.
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews and champion a culture of continuous learning.
• Stay abreast of cutting‑edge research in LLMs, reinforcement learning, and multi‑agent systems, and translate findings into production‑ready innovations.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of professional experience in AI/ML, with at least 4 years leading complex AI projects.
• Deep expertise in natural language processing, large language models (LLMs), and agentic AI architectures.
• Proficiency in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Strong track record of deploying scalable AI services in production environments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders across product, engineering and executive teams.

Desired Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field.
• Publications or patents in NLP, reinforcement learning, or multi‑agent systems.
• Experience with MLOps tools (Kubeflow, MLflow, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with Upwork’s marketplace dynamics and freelance talent ecosystems.

Why Join Upwork?

Work at the forefront of AI innovation within a global platform that connects millions of freelancers and businesses. Competitive remuneration, flexible remote‑first policy, and opportunities to shape the future of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of experience is required for this role?

Upwork expects at least 10 years of AI/ML experience, including 4 years leading large‑scale AI projects.

Is remote work possible for this position?

The role is based in Toronto but Upwork offers a flexible remote‑first policy, allowing work from home or hybrid arrangements.

What is the salary range for the Lead AI Engineer?

The advertised salary is between $179,000 and $302,500 NZD per year, plus potential performance bonuses.