Job Title: Applied Research Engineer, AI (EPC & Manufacturing)
Focus areas : Edge AI, Agentic AI
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Job Summary:
You'll lead applied research in creating and optimizing small language models (SLMs) and derived models
for range of use cases cutting across both structured and unstructured data – for edge AI deployment,
powering agentic systems, digital threads, and highly contextual knowledge graphs. Focus on real-world
EPC/manufacturing scenarios like autonomous workflow orchestration, connected operations, and aimed
at taking digital transformation in these sectors to the next generation of technologies and with
breakthrough impact.
Key Responsibilities:
• Design, train, and distill SLMs or derived models (e.g., from Llama/Mistral) for domain-specific
tasks in EPC/manufacturing, with deeper context engineering and mature agentic AI workflows,
optimizing for low-latency inference on edge devices for site level intelligence and predictability.
• Architect agentic AI frameworks that leverage SLMs for autonomous decision-making, such as
multi-agent orchestration for construction sequencing or factory floor optimization.
• Build and integrate digital threads—end-to-end data pipelines linking design, procurement,
construction, and operations—using SLMs for natural language querying and automation.
• Develop complex knowledge graphs to model intricate relationships in EPC ecosystems (e.g., asset
hierarchies, supplier networks, regulatory compliance), enhanced by SLM-driven reasoning and
graph RAG.
• Deploy edge AI solutions for real-time applications, including IoT sensor fusion, on-device anomaly
detection, and federated learning in harsh manufacturing environments.
• Prototype and benchmark systems for scalability, collaborating on MLOps pipelines with tools like
Kubernetes, TensorRT, and ONNX for edge-cloud hybrid deployments.
• Conduct research on SLM fine-tuning, quantization, and agentic behaviors, documenting findings for
internal adoption or publications.
Sensitivity: LNT Construction Internal Use
Required Qualifications:
• Master's or PhD in AI/ML, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years in applied AI, with deep hands-on experience building/training SLMs or derived models
(e.g., LoRA/PEFT fine-tuning, model distillation).
• Proven expertise in edge AI deployment (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, ARM-based inference, quantization
techniques like AWQ/GPTQ).
• Strong experience with agentic AI (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen) and Neo4j for complex knowledge
graphs (Cypher queries, graph embeddings, graph algorithms).
• Familiarity with digital threads in manufacturing/EPC: PLM integration, BIM data flows, or IIoT
protocols.
• Proficiency in PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers, Neo4j, and edge frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow
Lite, OpenVINO).
Preferred Skills:
• Experience in EPC/manufacturing domains: procurement-to-pay automation, digital twins, or
supply chain graph analytics.
• Knowledge of federated learning, secure multi-party computation, or quantum-safe edge crypto.
• Contributions to open-source SLM/edge AI projects or relevant publications (e.g., ICML, NeurIPS
workshops).
Sensitivity: LNT Construction Internal Use