Job Title: Applied Research Engineer, AI (EPC & Manufacturing) Focus areas : Edge AI, Agentic AI Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu Job Summary: You'll lead applied research in creating and optimizing small language models (SLMs) and derived models for range of use cases cutting across both structured and unstructured data – for edge AI deployment, powering agentic systems, digital threads, and highly contextual knowledge graphs. Focus on real-world EPC/manufacturing scenarios like autonomous workflow orchestration, connected operations, and aimed at taking digital transformation in these sectors to the next generation of technologies and with breakthrough impact. Key Responsibilities: • Design, train, and distill SLMs or derived models (e.g., from Llama/Mistral) for domain-specific tasks in EPC/manufacturing, with deeper context engineering and mature agentic AI workflows, optimizing for low-latency inference on edge devices for site level intelligence and predictability. • Architect agentic AI frameworks that leverage SLMs for autonomous decision-making, such as multi-agent orchestration for construction sequencing or factory floor optimization. • Build and integrate digital threads—end-to-end data pipelines linking design, procurement, construction, and operations—using SLMs for natural language querying and automation. • Develop complex knowledge graphs to model intricate relationships in EPC ecosystems (e.g., asset hierarchies, supplier networks, regulatory compliance), enhanced by SLM-driven reasoning and graph RAG. • Deploy edge AI solutions for real-time applications, including IoT sensor fusion, on-device anomaly detection, and federated learning in harsh manufacturing environments. • Prototype and benchmark systems for scalability, collaborating on MLOps pipelines with tools like Kubernetes, TensorRT, and ONNX for edge-cloud hybrid deployments. • Conduct research on SLM fine-tuning, quantization, and agentic behaviors, documenting findings for internal adoption or publications. Sensitivity: LNT Construction Internal Use Required Qualifications: • Master's or PhD in AI/ML, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience). • 4+ years in applied AI, with deep hands-on experience building/training SLMs or derived models (e.g., LoRA/PEFT fine-tuning, model distillation). • Proven expertise in edge AI deployment (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, ARM-based inference, quantization techniques like AWQ/GPTQ). • Strong experience with agentic AI (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen) and Neo4j for complex knowledge graphs (Cypher queries, graph embeddings, graph algorithms). • Familiarity with digital threads in manufacturing/EPC: PLM integration, BIM data flows, or IIoT protocols. • Proficiency in PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers, Neo4j, and edge frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow Lite, OpenVINO). Preferred Skills: • Experience in EPC/manufacturing domains: procurement-to-pay automation, digital twins, or supply chain graph analytics. • Knowledge of federated learning, secure multi-party computation, or quantum-safe edge crypto. • Contributions to open-source SLM/edge AI projects or relevant publications (e.g., ICML, NeurIPS workshops). Sensitivity: LNT Construction Internal Use