AI Data Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Description

Director — Data, Cloud & AI Architecture

Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) Technology, Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global consulting firm with over 10,000 entrepreneurial, action and results-oriented professionals in over 40 countries. We take a hands-on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.

A&M's Private Equity Performance Improvement Services (PEPI) practice focuses on serving upper middle market and large cap private equity firms who have engaged A&M to help improve operating results at their portfolio companies ($50M–$1B+ revenue range).

Our PEPI services include:

• IT / Product / Engineering [Technology Services]
• CDD/Strategy
• Interim Management
• Merger Integration & Carve-outs
• Rapid Results
• Supply Chain
• CFO Services

How you will contribute

A&M's PEPI Technology group advises private equity investors and their portfolio companies on the technology decisions that move enterprise value. This role covers data and cloud architecture, including AI and ML readiness and risk. Depending on the engagement, you'll own that workstream inside a broader technology assessment, or run a focused data, cloud, and AI engagement day to day under a Senior Director or Managing Director.

Data, cloud-based technology systems, and the risks and opportunities of AI are making this part of our practice grow quickly. The work is hands-on, diagnostic and on compressed timelines. We value operational experience highly. You will have significant exposure to the Private Equity industry, smart and accomplished colleagues across the company, and a nearly limitless variety of technical systems.

• Own the data, cloud, and AI architecture workstream — Define data requests, review architecture and infrastructure artifacts, and reach a supportable view inside a business transaction timeline. On focused engagements, you will run the work day-to-day: direct the team, manage the client working relationship, align with other practice areas in the firm, and deliver the final product.
• Assess the architecture to determine if these technical systems support the business strategy and investment thesis, its costs and any risks. This includes scalability, extensibility, stability, technical debt, security posture, run-rate cost and its trajectory.
• Evaluate data quality and AI readiness — Determine what data exists, how it is governed, whether it represents business and/or financial opportunity, and the overall use of AI within client technology organizations and their products.
• Translate findings into financial and strategic terms — Translate findings and your point of view into terms non-technologists can understand, especially financial terms such as EBITDA impact, capex versus opex, time to value, and execution risk.
• Shape the analytical standard — A&M has deep experience codifying how engagements run. This role will help shape how those playbooks are adapted for this rapidly emerging area of client interest. Once defined, it runs as a productized offering with deliberately limited flex.
• Work closely with A&M colleagues — Be a constructive partner with colleagues across the Technology Services organization and many performance improvement teams. You will help evangelize how this type of analysis answers critical questions and be a trusted steward of shared client relationships. A hands-on colleague from pitch through final delivery.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in hands-on technology roles with depth in cloud and data architecture. You've designed, built, and operated these systems, and can speak to specific decisions you made regarding tradeoffs, investment, and stakeholder management.
• Education undergraduate degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related technical field strongly preferred; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Ability to reach a defensible conclusion on incomplete information under time pressure and defend it to executives with high standards for quality. Consulting experience preferred, not required.
• Direct experience with technical due diligence, especially exposure to pre-transaction analysis (buy or sell-side), post-merger integration, or the PE ecosystem.
• Experience designing, building, and leading enterprise-scale cloud data platform and modern data architecture initiatives, from discovery through delivery.
• Strong communicator who builds credibility quickly with internal relationships. Your default is to be a trusted partner to other A&M teams as much as to clients.
• Comfort executing a standardized methodology, and willingness to help shape it.
• AI/ML platform experience a plus: production model deployment, feature and data pipelines, or AI readiness assessment.
• Willingness to travel as engagements require.
• Experience working with private equity firms or PE-backed portfolio companies, with understanding of deal timelines, value creation plans, and exit preparation

Compensation: $150,000 – $225,000 base salary annually, dependent on education, experience, skills, and geography, plus a discretionary bonus program based on individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.

Your Journey at A&M

We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person's unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top-notch training and on-the-job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.

We prioritize your well-being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M.

Benefits Summary

Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings' fringe benefits: healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with discretionary employer contribution, paid vacation, personal days, 72 hours sick time, 10 federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type.

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