AI Solutions Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY

The AI Solutions Engineer serves as Trécé's internal AI capability leader, responsible for identifying, implementing, and continuously improving AI-powered solutions across all departments. This role bridges the gap between rapidly evolving AI technology and Trécé's specific operational needs — spanning flow chemistry plant automation, laboratory research, regulatory compliance, field application tools, and business administration. The position requires a technically grounded individual who can translate complex AI capabilities into practical value for chemists, engineers, biologists, and administrative staff alike.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

AI Strategy & Implementation

• Conduct systematic assessments of current business processes across all departments to identify high-value opportunities for AI, ML, and LLM integration.
• Design, test, configure, and deploy AI/ML/LLM solutions tailored to Trécé's technical and operational contexts, including laboratory workflows, manufacturing plant monitoring, field applications, and administrative functions.
• Document and compare current ('as-is') and AI-enhanced ('to-be') processes, including changes to data pipelines, systems, and user roles.
• Evaluate and recommend consolidated AI platform solutions (e.g., enterprise LLM management platforms) to provide centralized access, cost control, and security oversight across multiple AI tools.
• Establish and enforce guardrails, prompt standards, and validation practices to minimize hallucinations and ensure reliability of AI outputs.

Plant Automation & Engineering Support

• Collaborate with engineering and chemistry teams to develop AI-driven monitoring and process control systems.
• Support the design and implementation of agentic automation pipelines to connect plant sensors, data storage, and decision-support systems.
• Assist in developing predictive maintenance tools that analyze historical operational data to flag equipment wear patterns and preempt failures.

Research & Laboratory Applications

• Assist researchers in applying AI for data analysis, literature synthesis, report writing, simulation development and experimental design acceleration while maintaining scientific accuracy standards.
• Build or customize domain-specific AI tools or GPT extensions tuned to Trécé's specialized scientific disciplines.

Field & Commercial Tool Development

• Lead AI-assisted development and improvement of field application tools, ensuring field tools are accurate, mobile-friendly, data-persistent, and capable of scaling to serve distributor and dealer networks worldwide.

Training, Adoption & Governance

• Create training materials and conduct hands-on sessions to build AI proficiency across all departments, with content appropriate to each team's technical background and use cases.
• Track AI tool usage, adoption metrics, and ROI indicators; gather user feedback to drive iterative improvements.
• Maintain company-wide AI usage policies, cost controls, and access governance.
• Serve as the internal point of contact for AI vendor relationships and security reviews.

Continuous Learning & Technology Scouting

• Actively monitor AI developments across relevant platforms (LLMs, agentic tools, no-code automation, scientific AI) and proactively brief teams on applicable advances.
• Evaluate emerging AI platforms and frameworks before broad deployment, including proof-of-concept testing and comparative analysis.

General IT Support (Backup)

• Provide backup IT administrator support as needed, including desktop/workstation troubleshooting, RDS/VPN maintenance, printer setup, and software support for ERP and related systems.

NOTE: This is a long-term position expected to evolve with the company's growth, AI and automation landscape. Responsibilities can shift as capabilities mature and new applications emerge.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline. Master's degree a plus.
• A broad STEM foundation is strongly preferred over highly specialized single-discipline training — the role requires cross-functional communication with organic chemists, chemical ecologists, engineers, and business staff.

Technical Skills

• Demonstrated hands-on proficiency with major LLM platforms (Claude, ChatGPT/GPT-4, Gemini) and a clear understanding of their respective strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases.
• Experience with no-code/low-code automation platforms such as Zapier, Make, or equivalent agentic workflow tools.
• Proficiency in Python; familiarity with MATLAB, R, or similar scientific computing languages is a plus.
• Experience with or strong aptitude for building custom GPTs, AI agents, or domain-specific LLM extensions.
• Knowledge of prompt engineering best practices, including techniques for reducing hallucinations and improving output reliability (e.g., chain-of-thought prompting, confidence rating, assumption declaration).

Professional Competencies

• Fast, self-directed learner who can rapidly evaluate new tools and technologies as the AI landscape evolves
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to assess ROI, identify automation opportunities, and prioritize high-impact projects.
• Excellent cross-functional communicator
• Highly organized with the ability to manage concurrent projects across multiple departments
• Intellectually honest about AI limitations; applies appropriate skepticism and validation discipline when evaluating AI-generated outputs.

KEY MEASUREMENTS / ACCOUNTABILITY

• Timely and successful delivery of AI implementation projects measured against defined business and technical requirements.
• Measurable, documented improvements in operational productivity, time savings, or cost reduction resulting from deployed AI solutions.
• Quality and adoption rate of AI training programs across departments.
• Reliability and accuracy of deployed AI tools, including hallucination reduction metrics and user satisfaction.

JOB INTERFACE

This position serves as a technical bridge across the entire organization. It requires close, ongoing collaboration with the Principal Engineer, laboratory directors, plant operations, regulatory/ compliance staff, and finance/administration. Regular interaction with external AI vendors, platform providers, and security consultants is expected.

TRAVEL

• Minimal under normal circumstances

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment authorization?
• What AI platforms have you used? List all that apply.
• Do you have experience using Python?
• Have you implemented AI-powered tools, workflows, or automations?
• Have you completed academic, personal, or professional projects involving AI, custom GPTs, AI agents, or workflow automation?
• Briefly describe an AI project you've built or contributed to. This can be academically or professionally.
• Do you have hands-on experience with LLM platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini?
• Have you used no-code/low-code automation platforms such as Zapier or Make?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• AI tools (professionally or academically): 2 years (Required)
• Manufacturing and/or Laboratory Environments: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Adair, OK 74330: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person