Senior Level AI Consultant Jobs
Senior level ai consultant jobs put experienced practitioners in charge of AI strategy, solution architecture, and the cross-functional teams and workstreams that turn concepts into deployed systems. Roles skew 38% remote or hybrid across Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Accounting & Auditing, with employers like Cognizant, Huron Consulting, and World Wide Technology hiring at this level now.
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As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Strategic, sales and customer-facing consulting engineer combining the highest levels of proficiency in routing & switching (including hands-on depth) with the ability to articulate solution differentiation and business value. Operates alongside S3/SE/PLM in high-visibility customer engagements, mentors multiple TSEs, and serves as a sought-after resource for internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Own consultative engagements end-to-end: discovery, architecture advocacy, test-plan influence, and value articulation.
- Lead strategic trials, capture outcomes and learnings, and translate them into adoption-driving collateral.
- Evangelize solution differentiation and drive corresponding solution implementation for customer demo lab.
- Shape portfolio strategy through competitive insights and standards participation; publish patents/white papers.
- Work closely with SE&I leadership to identify SVS opportunities and position value to Ciena customers , helping to drive adoption of SVS.
- Lead the process of providing SE&I inputs into PLM during release planning process
- Prime the incubation of new products/solutions targeted at large market opportunities, and lead technical engagement with top customers
- Partner with Solution Architects; define relationships and handoffs; coach TSE engineers as a mentor-of-mentors.
- May provide SE&I team leadership coverage from time to time to fill-in for manager when he is away or on PTO
Customer-specific (DCOM) Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Customer's Technical Staff as their Ciena DCOM Design Partner.
- Define gaps and opportunities to improve performance and capabilities of existing Ciena DCOM solution.
- Work with SMEs inside Ciena to define new features and functions
- Work with Customer's Technical Staff to refine and align proposed solutions with production deployment requirements
- Once productized by Ciena R&D and Test, support integration testing in customer's pre-production test environment
- Coordinate the responses to DCOM customer pre-production issues, requests and technical questions posted on Workplace and Google Chat
Required Skills & Knowledge
- Broad multi-domain networking expertise; strong awareness of competitive landscape and positioning.
- Exceptional communication, storytelling, and negotiation skills; executive presence.
- Ability to connect technical capabilities to business outcomes and ROI.
Experience
15+ years; proven record influencing strategic customer decisions and driving adoption.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor’s degree (EE/CS/E&C) or equivalent; thought-leadership contributions preferred (public speaking, publications).
Success Metrics (KPIs)
- Adoption and revenue influence; trial success and differentiation demonstrated.
- Executive stakeholder satisfaction; repeat strategic engagement invitations.
- Mentoring impact and thought-leadership footprint (white papers/patents).
The annual pay range for this position is $169,100 - $270,100 USD
#LI-WH1
#LI-Remote
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Strategic, sales and customer-facing consulting engineer combining the highest levels of proficiency in routing & switching (including hands-on depth) with the ability to articulate solution differentiation and business value. Operates alongside S3/SE/PLM in high-visibility customer engagements, mentors multiple TSEs, and serves as a sought-after resource for internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Own consultative engagements end-to-end: discovery, architecture advocacy, test-plan influence, and value articulation.
- Lead strategic trials, capture outcomes and learnings, and translate them into adoption-driving collateral.
- Evangelize solution differentiation and drive corresponding solution implementation for customer demo lab.
- Shape portfolio strategy through competitive insights and standards participation; publish patents/white papers.
- Work closely with SE&I leadership to identify SVS opportunities and position value to Ciena customers , helping to drive adoption of SVS.
- Lead the process of providing SE&I inputs into PLM during release planning process
- Prime the incubation of new products/solutions targeted at large market opportunities, and lead technical engagement with top customers
- Partner with Solution Architects; define relationships and handoffs; coach TSE engineers as a mentor-of-mentors.
- May provide SE&I team leadership coverage from time to time to fill-in for manager when he is away or on PTO
Customer-specific (DCOM) Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Customer's Technical Staff as their Ciena DCOM Design Partner.
- Define gaps and opportunities to improve performance and capabilities of existing Ciena DCOM solution.
- Work with SMEs inside Ciena to define new features and functions
- Work with Customer's Technical Staff to refine and align proposed solutions with production deployment requirements
- Once productized by Ciena R&D and Test, support integration testing in customer's pre-production test environment
- Coordinate the responses to DCOM customer pre-production issues, requests and technical questions posted on Workplace and Google Chat
Required Skills & Knowledge
- Broad multi-domain networking expertise; strong awareness of competitive landscape and positioning.
- Exceptional communication, storytelling, and negotiation skills; executive presence.
- Ability to connect technical capabilities to business outcomes and ROI.
Experience
15+ years; proven record influencing strategic customer decisions and driving adoption.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor’s degree (EE/CS/E&C) or equivalent; thought-leadership contributions preferred (public speaking, publications).
Success Metrics (KPIs)
- Adoption and revenue influence; trial success and differentiation demonstrated.
- Executive stakeholder satisfaction; repeat strategic engagement invitations.
- Mentoring impact and thought-leadership footprint (white papers/patents).
The annual pay range for this position is $169,100 - $270,100 USD
#LI-WH1
#LI-Remote
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
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Find JobsSenior Level AI Consultant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Cognizant21
- Huron Consulting16
- World Wide Technology13
- EY12
- Tiger Analytics10
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software115
- Consulting & Professional Services104
- Accounting & Auditing26
- Investment & Asset Management19
- Insurance11
Senior Level AI Consultant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level ai consultant job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have led AI initiatives end-to-end, not just contributed to them. Demonstrating ownership of model selection, deployment architecture, and measurable business outcomes sets strong applicants apart. A portfolio of delivered projects, experience guiding junior team members, and fluency in translating technical tradeoffs for executive stakeholders carries significant weight in the hiring process.
Which companies hire senior level ai consultants?
Companies hiring senior level ai consultants right now include Cognizant, Huron Consulting, and World Wide Technology, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of global consulting firms, enterprise technology vendors, and large organizations standing up dedicated AI practices.
Are there remote senior level ai consultant jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid arrangements are common at this level. About 38% of senior level ai consultant openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how many organizations treat experienced AI consultants as strategic hires who can operate effectively without being on-site daily.
What makes an ai consultant role senior level?
Senior level ai consultant roles are defined by scope and ownership rather than task execution. Expectations include setting the technical direction for engagements, owning client relationships and deliverable quality, architecting solutions across the full AI lifecycle, and mentoring or managing mid-level consultants. The role is as much about judgment and influence as it is about technical skill.
Which industries hire the most senior level ai consultants?
Senior level ai consultant roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Accounting & Auditing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. These sectors tend to drive hiring at this level because they have both the budget for senior-tier engagements and complex, high-stakes use cases that require experienced AI leadership.