[Remote] AI Engineer (Contract)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Presto Phoenix, Inc. is a leading Voice AI company for restaurant drive-thrus, focusing on building impactful real-world applications of AI. They are seeking an AI Engineer Contractor to help build, deploy, and improve their Voice AI platform, working on large language models and real-time systems to enhance customer interactions across restaurant locations.ResponsibilitiesBuild and improve production AI systemsDevelop and deploy AI/ML models and LLM-powered systems used in real-time voice interactionsWork across the full lifecycle from prototyping to production deployment and optimizationImprove system performance across latency, accuracy, and scalabilityWork with LLMs and modern AI toolingBuild and experiment with LLM-based systems using APIs or custom modelsDesign and iterate on prompts, workflows, and system behaviorsLeverage modern development tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex) to accelerate developmentOwn data quality and model inputsClean, structure, and filter messy real-world data to improve model performanceDevelop pipelines and processes that ensure high-quality training and evaluation dataContribute to fast iteration cyclesQuickly ramp on existing codebases and contribute with minimal oversightTest, evaluate, and iterate on new approaches to improve system behaviorStay current with the latest advancements in AI, LLMs, and applied machine learningCollaborate across teamsWork closely with engineering, product, and AI teams to deliver new capabilitiesTranslate real-world problems into practical AI solutionsCommunicate technical tradeoffs and system behavior clearlySkillsBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or related field (or equivalent experience)2–4+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering or software engineering with applied AIHands-on experience building or deploying LLM-based systems (APIs or custom models)Strong programming skills in PythonExperience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similarExperience working with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and deploying systems at scaleStrong understanding of software engineering fundamentals (data structures, systems design, debugging)Ability to work in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environmentsStrong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple prioritiesExperience with real-time or low-latency systemsExperience with speech, voice AI, or conversational systemsExperience working with messy, real-world datasets at scaleExperience building end-to-end ML pipelinesCompany OverviewPresto is the Voice AI market leader for restaurant drive-thrus. It was founded in 2008, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA, with a workforce of 51-200 employees. Its website is https://presto.com.Company H1B SponsorshipPresto Phoenix, Inc. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 1 in 2026, 2 in 2025. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.