Lead Technologist

About the role

About The Company

8th Light is a renowned technology solutions consultancy dedicated to transforming complex software challenges into durable, innovative results. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, the company collaborates with organizations ranging from early-stage startups to global corporations. Their expertise spans building agentic products, platforms, and engineering solutions across all layers of technology. 8th Light is committed to delivering high-quality, maintainable software by fostering a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. The company values honesty, transparency, and a client-centric approach, ensuring that every project aligns with their mission to create meaningful and impactful technological solutions. Their dynamic environment encourages curiosity and breakthrough thinking, making it an ideal place for talented professionals seeking growth and innovation.

About The Role

As a Lead Technologist at 8th Light, you will play a pivotal role in guiding complex software development projects for diverse clients. You will leverage your extensive experience to lead architecture and design discussions, oversee full lifecycle development processes, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable solutions. Your expertise will be instrumental in managing high-stakes engagements, mentoring team members, and fostering a collaborative environment that aligns with 8th Light's core values. The role involves working on a variety of technologies, including AI/ML integration, data engineering, and system architecture, with opportunities to lead innovative projects that push the boundaries of current technology. You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, managing relationships with technical leaders, and ensuring project milestones are achieved within scope, budget, and timeline. This position offers a unique chance to influence technical direction, contribute to the company's culture, and grow professionally in a supportive environment that values continuous education and community engagement.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of proven success in software development and consulting, with a broad technical skill set and leadership experience. Candidates should possess proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Java, C#/.NET, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Go, Ruby, Scala, R, and SQL. Experience with AI/ML-powered features, automation tools, and building or integrating AI systems is highly desirable. Strong understanding of system architecture, scalability, security, and performance optimization is essential. Candidates should demonstrate excellent communication skills, with the ability to mentor colleagues, facilitate collaboration, and engage effectively with stakeholders. Experience with DevSecOps, MLOps, Infrastructure as Code, and platform engineering is a plus. A track record of leading high-impact projects from discovery to production, along with a passion for continuous learning, will set candidates apart.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will be responsible for making immediate contributions to client projects, establishing trust quickly, and delivering solutions that meet high standards of quality. You will lead architecture and design discussions, ensuring technical solutions align with business goals. Managing full lifecycle projects involving data ingestion, preprocessing, model deployment, and monitoring will be central to your role. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions, often involving AI/ML features, and foster a culture of feedback and continuous improvement through retrospectives and reviews. Building and maintaining strong relationships with client technical leaders, providing regular updates, and proactively identifying risks and blockers are key aspects of your responsibilities. You will also mentor team members, share knowledge through workshops, and contribute to the overall health of the team and company culture. Managing project roadmaps, prioritizing work, and ensuring deliverables are met within deadlines will be crucial, as will advocating for best practices in security, scalability, and performance.

Benefits

8th Light values its employees and offers a comprehensive wellness package designed to support personal and professional growth. Benefits include unlimited access to a vast library of learning resources through the O'Reilly platform, an annual stipend for learning and development, and support for coworking spaces for remote team members. The company provides flexible paid time off, enabling employees to balance work and personal life effectively. New parents are supported with 12 weeks of parental leave. Additional benefits include health insurance options, retirement plans, and opportunities for community engagement and professional development. The company fosters an inclusive environment that encourages continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring employees feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully.

Equal Opportunity

8th Light is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. They believe that a variety of perspectives enrich the company culture and drive innovation. The company actively encourages applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply. They provide equal employment opportunities and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Their hiring practices are designed to be fair and unbiased, promoting a culture of respect and collaboration. 8th Light values the unique contributions of each individual and strives to ensure that all team members feel supported, respected, and empowered to succeed.