Chief AI Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take ownership and lead the development of the company-wide AI strategy, roadmap, and governance framework.

• Establish a multi-year vision for AI integration across service delivery, business development, and operations.

• Prioritize AI initiatives based on their impact on revenue, margin, and competitive differentiation.

• Provide progress reports on AI transformation to the CEO and manage the AI KPI scorecard.

• Collaborate with the CTO and Delivery Leaders to create innovative AI-enabled service offerings that broaden Fidus's market reach — such as AI-assisted SI/PI analysis, automated design reviews, and embedded AI in customer product development.

• Oversee the transformation of Fidus's engineering expertise into scalable, replicable AI-augmented deliverables.

• Work with discipline leads (FPGA, SI/PI, Layout, Software, Hardware, ASIC) to integrate AI tools into delivery workflows.

• Develop an intellectual property strategy related to proprietary AI methods and tools created internally.

• Promote the measurable adoption of AI tools across all teams, including engineering, operations, and business development.

• Design and implement a structured change management program that includes enablement, training, and accountability.

• Define and manage adoption KPIs, such as cycle time reduction, AI-assisted delivery percentage, and proposal and business development efficiency.

• Foster a culture of experimentation while upholding rigorous quality standards in safety-critical engineering environments.

• Collaborate with IT to define and enhance Fidus's data architecture, governance, and quality standards as a foundation for AI capabilities.

• Work with IT to create and maintain the data platform necessary for AI model development, training, and deployment.

• Partner with IT and Legal to ensure compliance with data practices, including ITAR, export control, and client NDA obligations.

• Collaborate closely with IT and engineering leadership to implement systematic data capture in delivery processes and uphold data quality at the source.

• Act as Fidus's external authority on AI, engaging with clients, strategic partners, and industry forums.

• Advise clients on integrating AI into their hardware, firmware, and systems product development programs.

• Support channel and business development by clearly communicating Fidus's AI differentiators to silicon vendors, EDA partners, and the broader partner ecosystem.

• Recruit, develop, and oversee the AI function, including engineers, data scientists, and ML operations.

• Define the organizational structure: centralized Center of Excellence or embedded discipline-level AI leads.

• Manage relationships with AI vendors and tool providers — including model suppliers, MLOps platforms, and data tooling — in alignment with IT procurement and security standards.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience in the services industry with a successful track record of driving AI adoption and transformation within a services or professional services organization — not in a product company. You understand the utilization model, the dynamics of a billable delivery environment, and how to implement change without disrupting client commitments.

• Leadership experience in AI transformation: 10+ years in technology leadership; 3+ years in a senior AI/ML leadership role with demonstrable organizational impact. You have successfully transitioned AI from concept to deployed, production-grade capability in an organization that was not originally AI-native.

• Extensive data expertise: Hands-on experience in data architecture, data governance, and ML pipeline development. Proficient in collaborating across functional boundaries and engaging credibly with both engineers and IT leadership, not just managing upward.

• Product development background: Demonstrated success in building AI-enabled products or productized service offerings, from ideation to commercialization.

• Proven execution history: A track record of implementing strategic roadmaps under uncertainty with measurable business outcomes — including revenue, margin, and efficiency. You deliver results.

• Strong communication skills: Capable of translating AI strategy into a narrative suitable for board-level discussions as well as day-to-day engineering guidance. Equally proficient in both contexts.

• Strong Preference

• Background in engineering services, EDA, semiconductor, or related deep-tech sectors.

• Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated engineering environments, such as aerospace and defense, medical, or automotive.

• Experience in ITAR or export-controlled data environments.

• Previous involvement in a company undergoing strategic transformation — high-growth, private equity-backed, or mergers and acquisitions integration.

• Practical experience with LLMs, agentic AI frameworks, or AI applications in CAD/EDA and hardware design processes.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Flexible work arrangements and a collaborative work environment.