Lead AI & Automation Developer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 31, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 27, 2026. NielsenIQ scores B on the Alion truth index.
We are seeking a hands-on AI & Automation Developer to identify, design, build, deploy, and scale solutions that modernize existing legacy BASES reports, operational processes, and workflows. The role will reduce repetitive manual effort, improve speed and quality, and create reusable digital capabilities for Innovation.
The successful candidate will combine strong Python engineering with practical experience in Large Language Models (LLMs), data processing, APIs, workflow automation, and analytics. This person will work end to end, from understanding current processes and quantifying opportunities through development, production deployment, user adoption, and measurement of realized business value.
Key Responsibilities
Process Assessment and Solution Design
- Understand existing Innovation reports and processes and partner with stakeholders to identify pain points, repetitive activities, quality issues, and automation opportunities.
- Identify and prioritize automation opportunities based on business value, feasibility, risk, and reuse potential.
- Translate business requirements into practical technical solutions and clear delivery plans.
Development, Deployment, and Support
- Develop Python-based automations, data-processing workflows, APIs, and scheduled solutions for legacy reports and processes.
- Build LLM-powered solutions for relevant use cases such as extraction, summarization, classification, knowledge retrieval, and recommendation generation.
- Integrate solutions with existing tools, files, databases, APIs, and cloud services while maintaining quality, security, and auditability.
- Deploy, document, monitor, and support solutions in production, and create reusable components that can be scaled across ARC.
- Work with stakeholders to drive adoption and measure improvements in effort, cycle time, quality, and reliability.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in software development, automation engineering, data engineering, analytics engineering, AI solutions, or a comparable technical role.
- Demonstrated experience delivering automation or AI solutions into production and supporting them after release.
Must-Have Skills
- Strong hands-on proficiency in Python, including object-oriented programming, data processing, reusable package design, and maintainable coding practices.
- Practical experience building applications or automations using Large Language Models (LLMs), including prompt design, grounding, evaluation, and safe use of model outputs.
- Experience with structured and unstructured data, data modeling, SQL, and common Python data libraries such as Pandas or Polars.
- Experience designing and consuming REST APIs and integrating multiple systems and data sources.
- Ability to automate legacy reports and operational processes while preserving business rules, controls, quality, and auditability.
- Experience with Git, code reviews, testing frameworks such as Pytest, CI/CD practices, logging, exception handling, and production support.
- Working knowledge of cloud-based solutions, preferably Microsoft Azure, and enterprise AI services such as Azure OpenAI.
- Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to convert ambiguous business needs into practical solutions.
- Clear stakeholder communication, documentation, ownership, and prioritization skills.
Good-to-Have Skills
- Experience with RAG, vector databases, semantic search, LangChain or comparable orchestration frameworks.
- Experience with workflow and low-code automation platforms such as Power Automate, and analytics tools such as Power BI.
- Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Pulumi).
- Knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases, distributed systems, microservices, and event-driven architecture.
- Exposure to Docker, Kubernetes, infrastructure as code, and observability tools.
- Experience with AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot and with Agile/Scrum delivery practices.
- Familiarity with responsible AI, privacy, access controls, data governance, and security requirements in enterprise environments.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a product-minded, hands-on builder who combines technical depth with business curiosity. They are comfortable working with existing legacy environments, understand that automation must be reliable and supportable, and focus on reusable architecture rather than isolated scripts. They can independently move a solution from opportunity discovery to adoption while maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Our Benefits
- Flexible working environment
- Volunteer time off
- LinkedIn Learning
- Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)
NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/
About NIQ
NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights-delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms-NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.
For more information, visit NIQ.com
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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion