The Role
Lead design, deployment, and production scaling of LLM-based and agentic AI systems; evaluate and benchmark models; build prototypes and production AI pipelines; collaborate with engineering and business stakeholders; influence leadership and mentor junior team members.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Opportunity
MassMutual's AI & Data Science team is seeking an impact-driven Lead AI Engineer to join our high-performing, cross-functional team. In this role, you will lead the design, deployment, and production scaling of advanced AI solutions that solve complex, high-value problems across the enterprise. You'll architect and deliver generative AI, agentic AI, and LLM-based systems by applying rigorous scientific methods, writing high-quality production code, and communicating results to senior leadership.
The Team
This is a unique opportunity to work alongside experts in applied AI, statistics, and computer science. The team operates at the intersection of cutting-edge research and enterprise delivery, building AI solutions that shape the future of MassMutual and the life insurance industry at large. We partner closely with technology and business stakeholders across the organization, and we invest in growth through a culture of peer learning, candid feedback, and shared technical standards. This team is defined by a shared commitment to scientific and engineering excellence, meaningful work, and the kind of collaboration that makes challenging problems tractable.
The Impact
The Minimum Qualifications
The Ideal Qualifications
What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Team
#LI-MC1
MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.
If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.
California residents: For detailed information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please visit our California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosures page.
Salary Range: $172,000-$225,700
MassMutual's AI & Data Science team is seeking an impact-driven Lead AI Engineer to join our high-performing, cross-functional team. In this role, you will lead the design, deployment, and production scaling of advanced AI solutions that solve complex, high-value problems across the enterprise. You'll architect and deliver generative AI, agentic AI, and LLM-based systems by applying rigorous scientific methods, writing high-quality production code, and communicating results to senior leadership.
The Team
This is a unique opportunity to work alongside experts in applied AI, statistics, and computer science. The team operates at the intersection of cutting-edge research and enterprise delivery, building AI solutions that shape the future of MassMutual and the life insurance industry at large. We partner closely with technology and business stakeholders across the organization, and we invest in growth through a culture of peer learning, candid feedback, and shared technical standards. This team is defined by a shared commitment to scientific and engineering excellence, meaningful work, and the kind of collaboration that makes challenging problems tractable.
The Impact
- Architect, build, and lead end-to-end AI solutions supporting a range of enterprise use cases-from ideation through production deployment and monitoring-using LLMs, agentic AI, machine learning, and probabilistic modeling, with accountability for reliability, performance, and maintainability.
- Design and conduct rigorous evaluations of AI system performance, including experimentation, benchmarking across foundation models, and quantitative analysis, to validate approaches and inform technical decisions.
- Drive innovation by identifying emerging technologies, translating cutting-edge research into practical applications, and establishing team-wide best practices in AI development and responsible AI deployment.
- Build rapid prototypes to test and validate AI approaches and deliver production-grade AI-powered applications (e.g., intelligent interfaces, dashboards, automated workflows) when solutions prove viable.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to build robust, production-grade AI pipelines and APIs that integrate into the broader enterprise technology ecosystem.
- Influence senior leadership by aligning AI initiatives with enterprise strategy and communicating complex technical concepts and findings in clear, actionable terms.
- Mentor and develop junior talent, fostering a culture of technical excellence, scientific rigor, and continuous learning across the team.
The Minimum Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or AI engineering, with a track record of delivering impactful AI/ML solutions at scale.
- Deep expertise in machine learning, statistics, NLP, and LLMs, including generative AI, agentic architectures, prompt engineering, and LLM evaluation across a variety of foundation models and benchmarks.
- Demonstrated ability to build, deploy, and scale production AI systems from architecture planning through orchestration, monitoring, and end-user delivery.
- Strong programming skills in Python, with the ability to write clean, well-tested, production-quality code, including familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and other orchestration and deployment frameworks.
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent years of relevant professional experience.
The Ideal Qualifications
- Familiarity with agentic AI tooling ecosystems, such as Bedrock AgentCore, AWS Strands, Azure, and MCP/A2A protocols.
- Experience developing and evaluating AI systems in a regulated industry, with a strong understanding of compliance and privacy standards.
- Breadth across AI and data science methods-including classical ML, causal inference, optimization, and Bayesian approaches-with comfort moving across techniques as problems demand.
- Proficiency in SQL and database design; familiarity with cloud-native data platforms, vector databases, and semantic search.
- Exceptional ability to translate complex AI concepts and quantitative findings into clear insights for non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.
- Exceptional research credentials, such as published work, significant open-source contributions, or a strong record of scientific rigor applied in industry.
What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Team
- Regular meetings with the AI & Data Science team
- Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager
- Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQIA+, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups
- Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms
- Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits
#LI-MC1
MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.
If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.
California residents: For detailed information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please visit our California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosures page.
Salary Range: $172,000-$225,700
Skills Required
- 7+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or AI engineering
- Deep expertise in machine learning, statistics, NLP, and LLMs (including generative AI, agentic architectures, prompt engineering, and LLM evaluation)
- Demonstrated ability to build, deploy, and scale production AI systems (architecture, orchestration, monitoring, end-user delivery)
- Strong programming skills in Python and ability to write production-quality, well-tested code
- Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and other orchestration and deployment frameworks
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related quantitative field
- Familiarity with agentic AI tooling ecosystems (e.g., Bedrock AgentCore, AWS Strands, Azure, MCP/A2A protocols)
- Experience developing and evaluating AI systems in a regulated industry with understanding of compliance and privacy standards
- Breadth across AI and data science methods including classical ML, causal inference, optimization, and Bayesian approaches
- Proficiency in SQL and database design; familiarity with cloud-native data platforms, vector databases, and semantic search
- Ability to translate complex AI concepts and quantitative findings into clear insights for non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership
- Exceptional research credentials (published work, significant open-source contributions, or strong record of scientific rigor applied in industry)
MassMutual Compensation & Benefits Highlights
How does MassMutual ensure its pay and bonus plans are competitive?
MassMutual supports competitive compensation through salary and bonus opportunities, retirement contributions, pay transparency practices and a broad benefits package that adds value beyond base pay. The company also uses long-running pay equity reviews and employee feedback to evaluate whether rewards are supporting employees across roles and life stages.
- Competitive pay and bonus opportunities: MassMutual describes its total rewards approach as holistic and flexible, with competitive salaries and bonuses designed to support employees’ financial well-being. Employees also point to compensation as part of the value proposition, with one sales assistant citing “great benefits and lots of flexibility,” and another employee describing the company’s “good leadership and benefits.”
- Retirement and financial benefits: MassMutual provides a 401(k) benefit of up to 10% of eligible compensation, including a 5% company match and a 5% annual company contribution. The company also treats eligible student loan payments like 401(k) contributions for matching purposes and begins monthly retirement healthcare account contributions for employees starting at age 45.
- Pay transparency and pay equity: MassMutual posts salary ranges in most job postings and has used an independent HR risk management firm to conduct annual adjusted pay gap reviews for 17 years. That approach connects compensation competitiveness with equity and accountability across the employee experience.
- Benefits as part of total rewards: MassMutual’s compensation includes health, dental and mental health benefits, caregiver leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, paid volunteer time, flexible holidays and a Well-Being Wallet of up to $1,250 annually. A head of human resources said, “It’s not about industry standards — it’s about supporting all employees’ well-being in ways that are meaningful to them.”
- External signals:
- Benefits value: Employees on external review sites regularly highlight benefits as a strength, with reviews calling out “excellent benefits,” “great benefits” and a “great benefits package.” (Glassdoor; Indeed)
- Compensation and retention: Employees surveyed on external review sites rate MassMutual’s perks and benefits an A-, with 100% saying perks and benefits play a role in staying at the company. (Comparably)
- Financial stability: MassMutual reported more than $10 billion in insurance and annuity benefits paid in 2025 and total adjusted capital above $34 billion, reinforcing the company’s long-term financial foundation. (MassMutual 2025 Annual Report)
Bottom line: MassMutual supports competitive pay through salary and bonus opportunities, strong retirement contributions, pay transparency, recurring pay equity reviews and benefits designed to support employees’ financial, physical, mental and family well-being.
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The Company
What We Do
Since 1851, MassMutual’s commitment has always been to help people protect their families, support their communities, and help one another. This is why we want to inspire people to Live Mutual. We’re people helping people. Together, we’re stronger.
Why Work With Us
MassMutual has the financial security and stability of a 170+ year old company, with the culture and energy of a startup. We work every day with the customer front of mind to build the best digital experience in the industry.
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MassMutual Teams
MassMutual Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We believe in capitalizing on the best of being together in our offices as well as personal flexibility. Our workplace philosophy puts office collaboration first, combined with flexibility to work remotely.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
