Job Title: AI Manager
Location: Phoenix, AZ (On-site)
Employment Type: W2 Contract
About the Opportunity:
ZipStaff is hiring an experienced AI Manager for a state government agency to lead its artificial intelligence initiatives from strategic framing through scalable, responsible deployment. You will oversee a team of AI engineers, business analysts and operations specialists, translate high-level business goals into technical requirements, manage model lifecycles and ensure AI systems deliver measurable impact with strong ethical and regulatory compliance. This is an on-site, 7-month contract role in Phoenix, AZ starting November 30, 2026.
All candidates selected for an interview are required to complete a mandatory identity verification process.
What You'll Do:
- Define the roadmap, scope and objectives for enterprise AI and machine learning initiatives.
- Serve as the primary bridge between technical teams (data science, MLOps, software engineering) and non-technical business stakeholders.
- Hire, mentor and manage a team of AI/ML specialists, providing coaching, performance management and career development.
- Oversee the operational lifecycle of AI models, from deployment through monitoring, data drift tracking and retirement.
- Coordinate risk assessments, model validation, bias testing and data privacy compliance.
- Track operational metrics including latency, model availability, accuracy and business ROI.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in data science, machine learning or AI engineering, including 2+ years in a leadership or management capacity.
- Hands-on Microsoft OpenAI experience.
- Deep understanding of AI/ML architectures, machine learning lifecycles (MLOps) and modern frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, or cloud AI services on AWS, GCP or Azure.
- Proven track record of delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget using Agile or traditional project management methodologies.
- Exceptional ability to explain complex algorithmic concepts clearly to executive leadership, product teams and clients.
- Hands-on experience designing and delivering generative AI/LLM solutions, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and prompt engineering.
- Experience with cloud AI platforms such as Azure Machine Learning and Azure OpenAI Service.
- Working fluency in Python and SQL, and a strong grounding in responsible AI principles.
- Ability to work on-site in Phoenix, AZ.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics or a related technical field.
- Experience with AI governance, bias testing and data privacy compliance in a regulated or public-sector environment.
- Experience hiring and building AI/ML teams.
- Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate or PMP.
- Strong stakeholder and vendor management experience.
- Familiarity with AI risk and data privacy frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF).
Benefits:
- Health Insurance.
- Dental Insurance.
- Vision Insurance.
- 401(k) + 401(k) matching.
- Paid time off.
- Referral Program.
About ZipStaff:
ZipStaff connects skilled technology professionals with leading organizations across the United States, matching top talent with impactful contract and full-time opportunities.
To apply, submit your resume through this posting. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a ZipStaff recruiter.