AI FinOps Engineer

Role Description

Nelnet is seeking an AI FinOps Engineer to own the token economics and cost optimization engine of our Enterprise AI program. Reporting to the IT Director of AI Delivery, this role is embedded in our Shared Services department and focused on driving efficiency across our Enterprise AI platforms — starting with Anthropic Claude and extending to the broader EA portfolio.

This is a technical, hands-on role. You will work at the API level to instrument workloads, identify inefficiencies, and engineer solutions that reduce organizational cost without degrading capability. A key output of this work is translating token-level findings into best practices that our AI enablement team can distribute across the organization.

What You Will Own

• Token Engineering: Track, model, and optimize token costs across Enterprise AI platforms. Own prompt efficiency patterns, caching strategies, and model-tier selection guidance.
• Best Practice Development: Define and document token optimization best practices. Partner with the AI enablement team to translate findings into org-wide guidance.
• Utilization Reporting: Build and maintain dashboards that surface usage trends, cost anomalies, and efficiency metrics for IT leadership.
• Cost Optimization: Go beyond reporting — identify waste, propose tier or model changes, and quantify savings. Own recommendations from analysis through implementation.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years hands-on experience with LLM APIs (Claude, OpenAI, or equivalent) at the token level — not just usage, but optimization.
• Deep familiarity with LLM pricing mechanics: context windows, caching, batching, input/output token splits, and tier structures.
• Experience with prompt engineering techniques focused on efficiency and cost reduction.
• Python or SQL for instrumentation and pipeline work.
• Ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of industry experience (preferred).
• Prompt caching, batch API usage, or model-tier switching in production environments (preferred).
• Cloud FinOps background or FinOps Foundation certification (preferred).
• Experience with multiple LLM providers and their cost/capability tradeoffs (preferred).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA.
• Generous earned time off.
• 401K/student loan repayment.
• Life insurance & AD&D insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Performance-based incentive pay.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Robust wellness program.

Company Description

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.

Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at View phone number on remotive.com or View email address on remotive.com.

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.