AI/ML Engineer /Architect Only W2 Candidates

Role : AI/ML Engineer /Architect Duration : Long Term Contract Location : Montvale, NJ OR Edison NJ Role Overview We are seeking a forward-thinking AI/ML Engineer / Architect to drive research, prototyping, and innovation within the Audit / financial services industry. This role focuses on exploring cutting-edge AI technologies, publishing research and white papers, and delivering proofs-of-concept (POCs) and demos that showcase enterprise-ready solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Azure-based AI/ML platforms, hands-on experience with LLMs, orchestration frameworks, and vector databases, and a passion for identifying how emerging AI capabilities can transform audit processes. Key Responsibilities • AI Research & Exploration • Continuously evaluate the evolving AI/ML landscape (LLMs, multimodal AI, agentic systems, orchestration frameworks like Semantic Kernel/LangChain). • Publish white papers, thought leadership, and research notes on applicability of new AI technologies to the Audit and Assurance domain. • Benchmark and compare existing vs. emerging technologies to guide architectural decisions. Prototyping & Demos • Design and deliver POCs, prototypes, and demo applications to validate the feasibility of new AI solutions. • Showcase end-to-end use cases such as intelligent document review, anomaly detection, automated audit workflows, or generative AI assistants. • Translate research outcomes into practical, demo-ready solutions that highlight business value. Solution Architecture & Enterprise Readiness • Ensure all AI solutions are Azure-native/compatible and align with enterprise security, governance, and compliance requirements. • Integrate with Azure services (Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Search, Cosmos DB, Fabric, Synapse, AKS, etc.) to deliver scalable and secure platforms. • Define reference architectures, reusable components, and best practices for integrating AI into legacy audit systems. Collaboration & Thought Leadership • Partner with audit domain experts, data engineers, and product teams to identify high-impact AI opportunities. • Present findings, demos, and POCs to senior leadership, clients, and research forums. • Contribute to the firm’s innovation agenda by staying ahead of AI trends and shaping the strategic roadmap. Qualifications & Skills • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Data Science, AI/ML, or related field (PhD preferred). • 7+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering, applied research, or solution architecture. • Hands-on expertise in: • Azure AI ecosystem (Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, Synapse, Fabric, Cognitive Search, Cosmos DB, AKS). • LLMs and orchestration frameworks (Semantic Kernel, LangChain, LangGraph). • Vector databases (Cognitive Search vector, Pinecone, Weaviate, Qdrant, pgvector). • Model fine-tuning, embeddings, RAG patterns, and prompt engineering. • Strong experience designing enterprise-ready AI solutions with compliance, governance, and security in mind. • Proven ability to develop POCs, demos, and technical presentations that resonate with both technical and business stakeholders. • Strong communication and writing skills; ability to publish white papers and research articles. • Passion for innovation, continuous learning, and applying AI in novel ways to industry-specific challenges.