AI Engineering Specialist

What if you had the opportunity to do something you love and make a difference in people's lives at the same time? McKim & Creed is a company of People Helping People. And that's what gets us energized. That's why we're excited to get up and go to work every day.

McKim & Creed is a unique, employee-owned firm with a reputation for extraordinary state-of-the-art engineering and surveying services provided by exceptional employees. We have over 1000 staff members in offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Delaware and Pennsylvania. If you want to work at a company where you can make a difference on day one, we're glad you found McKim & Creed.

Position Overview

As an AI Specialist, you will develop and implement AI-driven solutions to optimize engineering workflows, enhance predictive modeling, and improve decision-making across infrastructure projects. You'll collaborate with Water Business Unit leadership, our AI task force, project managers and engineers to bring intelligent automation and data insights into real-world applications. These applications will be internal-facing and will also include solutions specific to our clients' needs that we can sell to them. This position can be located in any of our southeastern offices.

Key Responsibilities

• AI Solution Development & Implementation
• Quickly develop, prototype, and implement selected project ideas
• Analyze large datasets from sensors, drones, and IoT devices to inform engineering decisions
• Develop a toolbox of AI tools that can be used to create AI-based agents and applications
• Develop client-facing AI tools and workflows that can be integrated into project delivery
• Platform Integration & Technical Enablement
• Integrate AI tools with BIM (Building Information Modeling) and GIS platforms
• Coordinate with the company's IT Director on AI initiatives with enterprise-level impact
• Work with internal technical teams to enable cloud-based and on-premise deployment pipelines
• Communicate with team members about how selected AI tools may be applied to specific problems
• Ensure compatibility of AI solutions with operational systems like SCADA, telemetry, CMMS, and CAD workflows
• Strategic Collaboration & Prioritization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify AI opportunities across disciplines
• Partner with leadership to prioritize the AI project backlog in alignment with business goals
• Evaluate feasibility and impact of AI initiatives across water/wastewater/reuse utility services
• Stay current with AI trends, tools, and use cases relevant to engineering and infrastructure
• Assess cost-benefit of AI investments and maintain a roadmap of high-value initiatives
• Education, Communication & Knowledge Sharing
• Deliver Lunch & Learn sessions to Water BU staff about AI tools, workflows, and progress
• Share initiative updates via presentations, emails, and dashboards for transparency and adoption
• Document tool usage guides and deployment steps for reusability and handoff
• Translate complex AI concepts into business and engineering-relevant terms
• Advocate for AI adoption through demos, internal showcases, and pilot programs
• Collaborate with the Innovation Team as part of the 2030 Strategic Plan.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Demonstrated experience with machine learning, deep learning, or data analytics in real-world applications
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate across teams
• Familiarity with engineering or infrastructure-related software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, STAAD.Pro, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat)
• Hands-on experience with programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and AI frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Comfortable working with large datasets and integrating tools into existing business processes
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, or onboard others on new tools and workflows
• Active listener who can gather user needs, ask clarifying questions, and develop relevant solutions
• Familiarity with databases, data modeling, and platforms such as Power BI
• Awareness of system-level security principles in the context of digital tools or connected infrastructure
• Some overnight travel may be required
• Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record

Preferred Skills & Experience

Technical & Domain Expertise

• Experience with digital twins, smart infrastructure, or utility optimization
• Familiarity with SCADA systems, telemetry, PLCs, and process control environments
• Understanding of CAD/BIM workflows and opportunities for AI enhancement
• Exposure to CMMS/EAMS or asset lifecycle management platforms
• Integration of GIS platforms (e.g., Esri), spatial modeling, or site analytics
• Experience optimizing document review and markup workflows (Bluebeam, Adobe)
• Proficiency in developing or integrating AI/ML applications into cloud or hybrid environments
• Familiarity with anomaly detection or cybersecurity standards (especially for OT systems)
• Experience building or supporting internal decision-support tools for engineering teams
• Working knowledge of sustainability, operational efficiency, or infrastructure benchmarking
• Experience with remote sensing and geospatial data analysis
• Communication & Collaboration
• Skilled at translating complex AI/ML concepts into accessible, user-friendly formats
• Experience facilitating internal training or Lunch & Learn sessions
• Strong documentation and storytelling capabilities (proposals, internal reports, or briefings)
• Comfortable presenting to diverse audiences, including clients, engineers, and senior leadership
• Project Execution & Innovation
• Demonstrated ability to identify scalable, repeatable AI use cases
• Comfortable working independently and within cross-disciplinary teams
• Ability to prioritize tasks across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Familiarity with agile/iterative development approaches or fast prototyping cycles
• Passion for learning, testing new technologies, and tracking infrastructure trends

WHAT WE OFFER:

Join a company that puts its employees first. Ranked as one of the Best Firms to Work For, here are just some of the reasons to become part of the McKim & Creed team:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): All employees are owners & benefit from profits earned
• Competitive pay + paid holidays, bereavement and parental, medical, and military leave
• Multiple office locations to work from: Stick close to home or travel for a change of scenery
• Growth opportunities & training: Grow confidently in your career with our mentoring & training options
• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement, early career professional program, online courses & more
• Work that makes a difference: See the direct impact your work has on our communities
• Collaborative, supportive team: People to help you solve problems, cheer successes & encourage you along the way

WATCH THIS VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR TEAM!

McKim & Creed is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and VEVRAA Federal Contractor and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status and maintains a Drug Free Workplace.