Head of AI

Remote from: USA
Salary, yearly, USD: 244,000 - 282,000
Department: Software Engineering
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 13 Jul 2026
Apply before: 13 Aug 2026
Experience level: Director
Views / Applies: 33 / 1

Proactive Maintenance: Detect, Resolve, Learn with AssetWatch

Computer Software
2015

AI Summary

AssetWatch seeks a Head of AI to lead AI strategy, data science, and machine learning teams. This central strategic leadership role involves defining the AI-native vision, managing ML engineering, and driving AI adoption across the company. The role reports to the CEO and requires a blend of strategic vision, technical fluency, and change management skills. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience leading AI teams and a track record of delivering large-scale initiatives. This is a hands-on position that will shape the future of predictive maintenance.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight This role is rated as difficulty 5 due to the requirement of 10+ years of leadership experience, deep technical fluency in modern AI, and the need to set strategy while being hands-on.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The offered salary range of $244,000 to $282,000 is competitive for a Head of AI role in the US market. It aligns with the median for senior leadership positions in AI, considering the strategic nature and technical demands of the role.

Core Skills Required

AI Strategy Machine Learning Data Science MLOps Leadership Predictive Maintenance Agentic Workflows Cross-functional Collaboration Strategic Planning Ethical AI

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Head of AI position at AssetWatch. With over a decade of experience leading AI and data science teams, I have a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and delivering measurable business impact.

Your focus on predictive maintenance and the opportunity to scale AI across the company resonates with my background in building and scaling AI capabilities in fast-paced environments. I am particularly drawn to the hands-on nature of this role and the chance to work directly with the CEO.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with AssetWatch's vision.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Sample Interview Questions

Describe your experience in defining and executing an AI strategy for a company.

I have led AI strategy at previous companies by aligning AI initiatives with business goals, setting OKRs, and ensuring measurable ROI. For example, at my last role, I developed a 3-year AI roadmap that improved customer outcomes by 30% and reduced operational costs by 20%.

How do you approach managing a cross-functional team of data scientists, ML engineers, and AI engineers?

I foster a culture of collaboration, set clear goals, and ensure technical standards. I hold regular stand-ups, encourage knowledge sharing, and provide mentorship. I also work closely with other departments to align priorities.

Can you provide an example of a complex AI project you delivered from concept to production?

I led the development of a predictive maintenance system for a manufacturing client. The project involved building anomaly detection models, integrating with IoT data, and deploying on edge devices. It reduced unplanned downtime by 40%.

How do you evaluate build-versus-buy decisions for AI tools and platforms?

I consider factors like competitive advantage, scalability, total cost of ownership, and time-to-market. For core capabilities, we build; for non-differentiating tasks, we buy or use open-source. I also pilot multiple vendors before committing.

What is your experience with ethical AI and governance?

I have established AI governance frameworks that include bias detection, data privacy, and model explainability. I ensure that all AI projects comply with regulations and have a clear approval process for data access and model deployment.

AssetWatch serves global manufacturers by powering manufacturing uptime through the delivery of an unparalleled condition monitoring experience, with a passion to care about the assets our customers care for every day. We are a devoted and capable team that includes world-renowned engineers and distinguished business leaders united by a common goal – To build the future of predictive maintenance. As we enter the next phase of rapid growth, we are seeking people to help lead the journey.

AssetWatch has a unique opportunity to scale how LLMs, Agents, machine learning, and data science improve customer outcomes, internal productivity, product differentiation, and operational leverage. The Head of AI manages AI workstreams across the company, turns scattered AI experiments into governed and measurable operating capability, and leads the Data Science function.

This is AssetWatch’s central strategic leadership role, requiring direct, hands-on involvement. The leader must stay close to the field, understand modern AI and data science deeply enough to scope work directly, and help the company adapt as the technology and vendor ecosystem evolves. Reporting to the CEO, the role demands a blend of strategic vision, technical fluency, ethical leadership, and change management skills.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Define and Execute AI Strategy

Partner with executive leadership to define AssetWatch’s AI-native vision, operating model, and continue to build our roadmap heading into 2027 and beyond.
Identify where AI can create competitive advantage, drive efficiency, and unlock new customer value, which open new revenue streams.
Keep the strategy current as AI capabilities, tooling, and vendor constraints change.

Lead the AI and Data Science Organization

Build, lead, and develop the team across Machine Learning Engineering, Machine Learning , and AI Engineering.
Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing data scientists, ML engineers, and AI engineers.
Establish clear ROI-based goals, accountability, technical standards, and leadership coverage as the team scales.

Run Intake, Prioritization, and Governance

Clarify incoming requests by outcome, owner, data dependency, business impact, and build-vs-buy path.
Establish guardrails for AI tools, agents, model usage, data access, and acceptable use without slowing down adoption.
Set AI Strategy and OKRs in partnership with senior leadership and translate them into measurable team goals with proven ROI.

Advance ML, MLOps, and Applied AI

Guide development of physics-based models that improve AssetWatch’s reliability intelligence, including anomaly detection, ranking, explainability, and alert quality.
Ensure production ML systems are monitored, repeatable, and operationally reliable.
Drive AI engineering work including agentic workflows, internal productivity tools, and customer-facing experiences.

Partner Across the Business

Work with Product and Engineering to turn AI opportunities into scoped bets with clear owners and delivery paths.
Partner with GTM, Customer Success, and Operations to identify high-leverage AI opportunities and improve field workflows.
Collaborate with HR, finance, supply chain, and customer support to implement AI-driven automation.

Measure Impact and Communicate Up

Define how AI impact is measured and connect AI investments to customer outcomes, efficiency, and revenue.
Maintain a clear narrative for the CEO, board, and cross-functional leaders on priorities, progress, and tradeoffs.
Evaluate vendors and tooling; recommend when to build, buy, or combine approaches.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Experience

10 or more years leading AI, machine learning, data science, or adjacent data or software technical teams.
Proven track record setting technological strategy in a fast-moving environment and delivering large-scale initiatives.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and partnering with senior executive stakeholders.

Technical Depth

Hands-on fluency with modern AI and data science, enough to scope work, evaluate quality, and challenge assumptions.
Working knowledge of production ML, MLOps, evaluation, governance, and AI systems lifecycle.
Familiarity with state-of-the-art approaches including large language models, agentic architecture, and machine learning.

Business and Leadership Skills

Strong judgment connecting technical work to customer value, revenue impact, cost control, and risk reduction.
Excellent communicator, able to translate complex AI concepts for non-technical executives and inspire technical teams.
Commitment to responsible AI practices including data privacy, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, AI, engineering, or a related field required.
Advanced degree (MSc, PhD, or MBA with technology focus) preferred.

NICE TO HAVE

Background in industrial technology, predictive maintenance, manufacturing, IoT, or condition monitoring.
Experience with time-series data, signal processing, anomaly detection, or sensor-driven products.
Experience with AWS, MLOps tooling, cloud data platforms, and enterprise SaaS integrations.

#LI-REMOTE

The base salary range for this full-time position is posted below, plus equity and benefits. Variable pay, bonuses, and other cash compensation will be discussed throughout the interview process.

The salary range was determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range applicable to your location during the hiring process.

AssetWatch Salary Range (US)

$244,000—$282,000 USD

What We Offer:
AssetWatch is a remote-first company that puts people at the center of everything we do. We want our team members to thrive – that’s why we offer a range of benefits and perks designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

Competitive compensation package including stock options
Flexible work schedule
Comprehensive benefits including retirement plan match
Opportunity to make a real impact every day
Work with a dynamic and growing team
Unlimited PTO

We have a distributed team that works remotely across locations in the United States and Ontario, Canada. Collaboration within core working hours is required.

Apply now >