Sr/Staff AI Engineer

Role Description

Be part of a team that values safety, inclusion, and excellence. As a member of our team, you will play a role in supporting the movement of essential products and materials that help feed, clothe, supply, and power communities throughout America and the world.

BNSF | Tech is the technology division making BNSF the preeminent freight and mobility company in North America. If you are passionate about making a difference and eager to advance your career in a dynamic and supportive environment, we want you on our team! Join us in reshaping the future of freight rail and discover a fulfilling career where your contributions matter.

We are committed to a culture where all employees are included, belong, and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Come make a difference with us!

Key Responsibilities

• AI Development and Implementation:
  • Assist in designing, developing, and implementing AI models and algorithms tailored to railroad operations, including predictive maintenance, scheduling, and safety monitoring.
  • Build scalable AI systems to analyze real-time data from rail infrastructure, rolling stock, and IoT devices.
• Data Collection and Analysis:
  • Collect, preprocess, and clean data from various sources (e.g., sensors, GPS, maintenance logs) for training AI models.
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends and patterns relevant to rail operations.
  • Build and maintain Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) pipelines for AI applications.
• Optimization and Automation:
  • Fine-tune and optimize algorithms to streamline train scheduling, route planning, and fuel efficiency.
  • Support the automation of operational processes and decision-making using AI-powered tools.
• System Integration and Deployment:
  • Collaborate with software engineers and DevOps teams to integrate AI solutions into production environments.
  • Ensure AI systems are robust, reliable, and compliant with railroad industry standards.
• Performance Monitoring and Improvement:
  • Monitor deployed models and systems for performance, scalability, and accuracy, ensuring continuous improvement and reliability.
  • Troubleshoot issues, retrain models, and implement necessary updates.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, software engineers, and business analysts, to understand their needs and enable AI-driven solutions.
  • Communicate technical concepts and project updates to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Research and Innovation:
  • Stay updated on emerging AI technologies and trends to identify opportunities for innovation in rail transportation.
  • Conduct research and propose new methodologies for solving complex railroad challenges.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the US.
• Minimum 6 years experience in AI/ML development, data science, software engineering, or relevant experience.
• Strong in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) and deep learning architectures.
• Familiarity with data engineering tools and platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, EMS, AWS S3, PySpark, RDS, JupyterLab) and cloud services (AWS, Azure, Databricks) and open source environments.
• Strong knowledge of databases (SQL and NoSQL).
• Strong knowledge of MLOps ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of generative AI models.
• Strong in Data Pipelines for GenAI (e.g., cleaning, chunking embeddings).
• Strong in GenAI tools and frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph).
• Strong in Vector Databases and embeddings.
• Familiar with Agentic architecture.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret complex datasets and derive actionable insights.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to tackle real-world challenges using AI and machine learning techniques.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Able to work now and in the future without BNSF’s assistance (whether monetary, through sponsorship, or otherwise) in obtaining, maintaining, or extending employment authorization (including H-1B, STEM OPT/CPT, or TN nonimmigrant status).
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, or industrial IoT applications.
• Knowledge of railroad operations, transportation systems, or logistics.
• Familiarity with MLOps practices and tools for model lifecycle management.
• Experience deploying AI systems in production environments with a focus on scalability and reliability.
• Previous experience in transportation, supply chain, or infrastructure industries.

Benefits

• An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
• A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
• Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
• Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
• Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services, and wellness support.
• Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program).
• Generous leave / time off policies.