Applied AI Lead

About the role

Bees & Bears is mid-rollout on AI across the business and building the data foundation to support it. As Applied AI Lead, you own the layer on top: query access, observability, and the first AI pipelines that turn raw data into something teams can actually use. This is a hands-on build role — not a strategy role.

What you'll do

• Build and maintain a data/query layer across current systems and data warehouse
• Design and build B&B's first AI data pipelines
• Set up observability for AI systems, usage tracking, error monitoring, and audit logs for anything touching customer data
• Connect HubSpot, Django, Taktile, and FastAPI APIs to support new AI use cases
• Map and consolidate the AI tool stack to reduce shadow usage and tool sprawl
• Work within the Red/Amber/Green data governance framework
• Define and drive the AI roadmap, coordinating with Senior Data Engineer and Head of Product

What you'll need

• Mid-senior platform or backend engineering background (Python strongly preferred)
• Proven experience building integrations across multiple systems — APIs, databases, SaaS tools
• Hands-on experience with LLM or agent platforms in production or near-production context
• Ability to take a vague business problem and turn it into a scoped, executable technical build
• Basic grasp of data governance in a sensitive data environment

Nice to have

• Postgres data warehousing experience; BigQuery a plus
• Familiarity with fintech or lending data models
• Experience in a small team where one person owns a build end to end

What they offer

• Hybrid, trust-based environment with flexibility to work from home or other locations
• Extra days off for climate activism
• Flexible bonus for sports, culture, travel, or personal use
• Office food via Wolt on long days
• Team offsites, team nights, and social events