The Manager, IT - Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be responsible setting the technical vision and delivery rhythm for our AI product pods, driving the full lifecycle of AI-centric solutions at Builders First Source. As the team’s engineering anchor, you will architect end-to-end systems—covering data ingestion, service layers, and cloud infrastructure—while steering day-to-day design choices, workload priorities, and quality standards. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with data scientists, product managers, UX designers, software engineers, and external 3rd party resources. You will convert product requirements into technical deliverables and guide the team through execution, deployment, and ongoing operations. You are accountable for elevating the team’s technical capabilities, evolving robust CI/CD and DevOps/MLOps practices, and coaching engineers via design reviews, code critiques, and continuous feedback. Success is defined by shorter idea-to-deployment cycles, consistently high system performance and reliability, and a measurable lift in team proficiency and engagement—accelerating both our AI roadmap and overall business value.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Architect scalable systems across frontend, backend, and data layers to support AI-driven applications (e.g., plan scraping, estimation, document analysis). Lead cross-functional teams through the full engineering lifecycle, from design and architecture through to deployment and monitoring. Mentor engineers across disciplines, foster strong engineering practices, thorough code reviews, and professional growth. Collaborate with ML engineers and product managers to translate prototype models into production-ready services. Drive decisions around infrastructure, DevOps, data platforms, and system integrations — with a focus on reliability and performance. Evaluate and select tools (internal or third-party) for deployment, observability, and continuous delivery. Promote modern software practices: CI/CD, containerization, infrastructure-as-code, version control workflows, and agile delivery. Stay current on emerging technologies (Generative AI, AI frameworks, Cloud services), evaluating their potential to enhance BFS’s AI roadmap.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises assigned employees both on site and remotely located, including staff selection and training; planning, assigning and directing work; conducting performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field. 7+ years of software engineering experience with a full-stack or backend focus. 3+ years in a technical leadership role — mentoring teams, defining architecture, and driving cross-functional delivery. Proven experience designing cloud-native applications and distributed systems. Comfortable working across backend services, APIs, cloud platforms, and data pipelines. Exposure to machine learning workflows, OCR, LLMs, or AI model integrations, preferred. Domain knowledge in construction technology or industrial software, preferred. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
COMPETENCIES
Expertise in Python; working knowledge of frameworks such as FastAPI, Django, or Flask. Experience with frontend stacks (Vue.js, React, Angular) and styling frameworks like Tailwind or Bootstrap is a plus. Deep knowledge of cloud platforms, preferably Azure (App Services, Functions, Blob Storage, SQL). Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), containerization, and orchestration tools. Solid foundation in microservices, API design (REST, GraphQL), and event-driven architecture. Experience with both SQL and NoSQL data stores and integrating machine learning pipelines or APIs. Awareness of enterprise security, identity management (IAM), and performance best practices. Excellent verbal and written communications skills and the ability to collaborate with engineering peers as well as non-engineering stakeholders and explain technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills. Established strategic and critical analysis skills. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Leadership presence in cross-functional, remote, or distributed teams. Analytical person with a proactive mindset and a focus on team success and system quality.
BFS COMPETENCIES
Business and Financial Acumen Demonstrates depth of understanding for the P&L and financial analysis Teaches business and financial acumen to others. Understands KPIs and how BFS makes money. Know the different business segments and how they relate to one another. Understands customer sales and engagement. Demonstrates functional and/or technical expertise. Understands complex issues and demonstrates critical thinking skills. Understands how to maximize business results regardless of industry cycle. Results Driven Holds self and others accountable. Communicates and sets clear goals with plans to deliver. Manages competing priorities effectively. Demonstrates appropriate urgency. Drives to exceed expectations in alignment with our BFS SPICE values. Embraces and follows best practices. Demonstrates self-starter, can-do attitude. Strategic Thinking and Decision Making Leverages resources and teams around them to solve problems and create mutually beneficial outcomes. Demonstrates willingness and courage to make tough decisions in a timely manner. Balances short-and-long term priorities Demonstrates proactive versus reactive thinking. Ask questions to identify root causes and analyze situations more accurately. Servant Leadership Demonstrates humility by putting others first. Builds trust-based relationships. Leads by example with kindness and respect. Collaborates well across all areas of the business. Advocates for others Actively listens to understand the meaning and intent of what the other person is communicating. Demonstrates authenticity and encourages others to do the same. Emotional Intelligence Demonstrates situational awareness – knows when and how to adjust leadership style in different situations. Demonstrates self-awareness – understands strengths and weaknesses. Demonstrates empathy – puts themselves in other’s shoes. Assumes positive intent. Develops and Leads Others Drives alignment through clear communication of vision, goals, and expectations. Invests time on a regular basis in performance feedback and developmental conversations. Fosters a respectful and inclusive environment. Empowers, motivates, and inspires others. Coaches and mentor others for their development. Guides and persuade others to deliver positive outcomes. Growth Mindset Demonstrates a growth mindset; takes appropriate risks, fails fast and forward, learns from mistakes. Perseverance and champions growth, even in the face of resistance, ambiguity, or failure. Thinks like an owner with an entrepreneurial spirit. Demonstrates and encourages intellectual curiosity. Continuous learner; seeks opportunities and knowledge for personal and professional growth. Sees possibilities over problems – actively seeks solutions. Innovation Encourages out-of-the box thinking to create new ways of doing things. Continuously seeks to improve and simplify pain points in the business. Anticipates, embraces, and leads change. Develops and executes breakthrough strategies. Integrity Does the right thing even under challenging circumstances? Communicates with honesty. Consistently treats others fairly and equitably. Demonstrates reliability and does what they say they will do. Conducts tough conversations and delivers difficult messages with kindness and respect.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is in an office setting and generally sedentary with physical effort associated with using a computer but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. May be required to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel may be required.