CTO - Director of AI Engineering

Role Description

We are seeking a Head of AI Engineering to spearhead NCT’s transition into an AI-first platform. This is an intensely hands-on, builder-to-leader role designed for an elite engineer who is energized by complex, legacy transformation.

• Lead from the front with a strict "build-solo-first" mandate.
• Personally design, build, and prove the first version of NCT's AI-driven capability, shipping measurable customer value before expanding headcount.
• Once the AI factory framework is successfully established, take on the people-management responsibility of scaling and upskilling the engineering team.

What You Will Own

• AI-First Modernization (Hands-On): Personally design and build NCT's foundational AI capabilities (RAG systems, code generation, LLM orchestration, and multi-agent workflows).
• Platform Modernization: Pragmatically refactor legacy components into scalable, cloud-native services and replace manual workflows with AI-driven automation.
• Phased Engineering Leadership: Manage team execution, elevate talent density, set engineering rhythms, and mentor developers into an AI-native way of working.
• Safe, Compliant Execution: Safely deploy features while strictly operating within government-adjacent and public-sector compliance frameworks (HIPAA, CJIS).
• Banyan Ecosystem Partnership: Act as the core technical partner to the CEO while collaborating with Banyan's centralized AI initiatives.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on software engineering with a proven track record of modernizing complex architectures.
• Documented history of shipping functional AI/ML systems end-to-end to real users.
• Experience as a founding or first AI engineer who is comfortable delivering baseline architecture independently.
• Exceptional judgment regarding build-vs-buy decisions.
• Proven track record of managing engineering teams and a desire to develop technical talent.
• Possess strong commercial acumen and an exploratory mindset.

Requirements

• Must be US-based and fully eligible for government-adjacent/public-sector compliance work.

Nice-to-Haves

• Direct GovTech, public sector, or federal case management software experience.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft AI stack (Azure ML, Azure OpenAI integrations).
• Experience managing, coordinating, or collaborating with distributed/offshore engineering teams.

Success Metrics (First 3–6 Months)

• AI-assisted development model built and in production use.
• Initial wave of high-value AI features successfully shipped inside CaseWorks.
• Measurable, predictable improvements in engineering delivery speed and cadence.
• Core legacy components systematically modernized into scalable cloud services.

Why Join Us & The Banyan Family?

• Banyan buys, holds, and grows companies for life. We never resell.
• Complete ownership of the AI strategy, tool choices, and engineering execution.
• Gain immediate access to a vibrant community of Banyan operating company leaders.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Banyan

Banyan affirms that inequality is detrimental to our Global Teams, associates, our Operating Companies, and the communities we serve. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic.

Recruitment Notice

Banyan Software may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and/or assessing applicants during the recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made by our team.

Beware of Recruitment Scams

We have been made aware of individuals fraudulently posing as members of our Talent Acquisition team. Protect yourself by verifying communications from our recruiting team and reporting suspicious messages.