[Remote] CTO - Director of AI Engineering - NCT

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Banyan Software is a company focused on acquiring and growing software businesses in specialized industries. They are seeking a Head of AI Engineering to lead the transition of Next Chapter Technology into an AI-first platform, overseeing the design and implementation of AI capabilities while managing engineering teams for modernization efforts.ResponsibilitiesPersonally design and build NCT's foundational AI capabilities (RAG systems, code generation, LLM orchestration, and multi-agent workflows) to analyze legacy code and generate production-ready servicesPragmatically refactor legacy components into scalable, cloud-native services and replace manual workflows with AI-driven automation without succumbing to the temptation of a wholesale platform rewriteOnce the AI factory is proven solo, you will assume direct delivery outcomes: managing team execution, elevating talent density, setting engineering rhythms, and mentoring developers into an AI-native way of workingSafely deploy features (utilizing feature flags, shadow mode, and monitoring) while strictly operating within government-adjacent and public-sector compliance frameworks (HIPAA, CJIS)Act as the core technical partner to the CEO while collaborating with Banyan's centralized AI initiatives to accelerate localized product valueSkills8+ years of hands-on software engineering with a proven track record of modernizing complex architectures and establishing cloud-native/DevSecOps practicesDocumented history of shipping functional AI/ML systems end-to-end to real users (data pipelines, modeling, deployment, and monitoring)Experience as a founding or first AI engineer who is completely comfortable delivering baseline architecture independently before relying on a large teamExceptional judgment regarding build-vs-buy decisions and the patience required to guide a 15-year-old Microsoft-stack platform through a modernization step-changeProven track record of managing engineering teams and a genuine desire to develop technical talent rather than operating in a siloPossess strong commercial acumen and an exploratory mindset, but you earn trust through coachability and clear-eyed self-awarenessMust be US-based and fully eligible for government-adjacent/public-sector compliance workDirect GovTech, public sector, or federal case management software experienceFamiliarity with the Microsoft AI stack (Azure ML, Azure OpenAI integrations) given the CaseWorks platform heritageExperience managing, coordinating, or collaborating with distributed/offshore engineering teamsCompany OverviewBanyan Software is an IT company that helps in acquiring, building, and growing software businesses. It was founded in 2016, and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://banyansoftware.com/.