Data Science - CW Technical Product Owner

Technical Product Owner – AI & Machine Learning (Contract)

The Technical Product Owner (AI & Machine Learning) – Contract provides execution and delivery support for defined AI and Machine Learning initiatives. The role works under the direction of an internal Product Owner or designated business lead and interfaces with business stakeholders in a coordination capacity only. This position focuses on translating pre-approved requirements into actionable backlog items and supporting agile delivery activities. This position does not include ownership of product strategy, enterprise prioritization, governance authority, or long-term accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Support delivery of assigned AI and Machine Learning initiatives within defined scope and timelines.
• Support the Data Science Manager by organizing, filtering, and preparing new inbound business requests for technical refinement.
• Partner closely with the Data Science Manager to execute the established AI/ML product roadmap and technical delivery strategy.
• Translate approved business and technical requirements into detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and backlog items.
• Facilitate day-to-day Scrum mechanics, including sprint planning and backlog refinement, under the direction of the Data Science Manager, with prioritization and scope decisions retained by internal leadership.
• Maintain health and hygiene of Azure DevOps (ADO) Boards, tracking sprint velocity, metrics, and capacity.
• Collaborate with enterprise project and enterprise data portfolio intake teams to align delivery timelines and manage cross-functional dependencies.
• Collaborate with engineering and data science teams to clarify requirements and resolve delivery questions.
• Track progress, risks, and dependencies; escalate issues to internal leadership as appropriate.
• Support documentation and delivery artifacts related to assigned initiatives.
• Provide delivery-focused recommendations informed by AI/ML best practices, limited to execution, backlog structuring, and workflow optimization.

Scope & Authority

This role may:

• Perform execution-focused product delivery activities.
• Provide advisory input and technical recommendations.
• Support agile delivery ceremonies and documentation.

This role may not:

• Own product vision, roadmap, or enterprise AI strategy.
• Own datasets, models, or production AI/ML assets; access is provisioned and governed per enterprise data and security policies.
• Make final prioritization, budget, or release decisions.
• Participate in or influence AI governance decisions, model validation approvals, or regulatory compliance determinations.
• Represent the organization in governance, compliance, or risk forums.
• Approve policies, standards, or enterprise-level outcomes.
• Maintain ownership beyond the defined contract term.

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience supporting product delivery or product ownership activities in technical or data-driven environments.
• Experience supporting program increment (PI) planning or equivalent multi-sprint planning processes within Azure DevOps (ADO) Boards.
• Experience working in Agile or Scrum-based delivery teams.
• Working knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts and model lifecycle management.
• Working knowledge of cloud and data engineering concepts and fundamentals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within defined scope, deliverables, and timelines.

Engagement Constraints:

• Assignment is project-based and time-limited.
• All work is performed under direction of internal leadership.
• No people management responsibilities.
• No long-term operational or strategic accountability.

Success Metrics:

• Success is measured by backlog readiness, sprint execution consistency, accuracy of delivery tracking, and effectiveness of cross-team coordination.

EEO: "Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans."