Lead Engineer

About the role

About The Company

8th Light is a renowned technology solutions consultancy committed to transforming complex software challenges into durable, impactful results. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, the company partners with a diverse range of clients, from innovative startups to global corporations. Their expertise spans across building agentic products, developing robust platforms, and engineering solutions at every layer of the software stack. 8th Light fosters a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and innovation, emphasizing quality, collaboration, and trust. Their open and honest environment encourages mentorship, knowledge sharing, and a collective pursuit of excellence. The company’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion underscores their ongoing journey to create a workplace where all talents can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Engineer to join 8th Light’s dynamic team. As a key leader, you will work closely with clients to deliver complex software solutions, often leading high-stakes projects from discovery through production. Your role will involve guiding architecture and design discussions, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, maintainable software within agreed timelines. You will be instrumental in managing project roadmaps, maintaining strong client relationships, and mentoring junior team members. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work across a variety of technologies, including AI/ML integrations, data engineering, and platform development, while contributing to the growth and culture of 8th Light.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of proven success in software development and consulting, with a broad skill set across multiple programming languages and frameworks such as Java, C#/.NET, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Go, Ruby, Scala, R, and SQL. Experience with AI/ML-powered features, including recommendation engines, NLP models, computer vision, and predictive analytics, is highly preferred. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in building or integrating AI systems, leveraging automated testing for quality assurance, and troubleshooting legacy code. Strong collaboration skills using tools like Git, CI/CD pipelines, and working on MacOS/Linux platforms are essential. Additionally, candidates should possess leadership qualities, including mentoring, strategic thinking, and effective stakeholder communication, especially in ambiguous or high-pressure situations. Experience in platform engineering, data engineering, DevSecOps, MLOps, and Infrastructure as Code will be considered a plus.

Responsibilities

As a Lead Technologist at 8th Light, your responsibilities will include making immediate contributions to client projects, building trust through pragmatic technology choices, and leading architecture and design discussions. You will oversee the full lifecycle of machine learning systems, from data ingestion and preprocessing to model deployment and performance monitoring. Your role involves generating innovative solutions to technical and non-technical challenges, facilitating feedback sessions, and documenting outcomes to drive project progress. You will manage high-level project roadmaps and act as the primary technical contact with clients, ensuring clear communication regarding project statuses, risks, and mitigation strategies. Leading or designing workshops, mentoring colleagues, and contributing to the company’s culture are also integral parts of your role. Additionally, you will identify blockers, propose solutions, and contribute to the continuous improvement of team processes and technical practices.

Benefits

8th Light values its employees and offers a comprehensive wellness package designed to support holistic well-being and professional growth. Benefits include unlimited access to learning resources via the O'Reilly platform, an annual stipend and dedicated time for learning and development, and coworking support for remote team members. The company provides flexible paid time off, 12 weeks of parental leave for eligible employees, and a supportive environment that promotes work-life balance. Additional benefits encompass health coverage, wellness programs, and opportunities for community engagement. 8th Light is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and grow both personally and professionally.

Equal Opportunity

8th Light is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. They welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The company's policies ensure fair treatment and equal access to opportunities for all employees and candidates. They believe that diverse teams drive innovation and better solutions, and they are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.