Applied AI Solutions Specialist

The Applied AI Solutions Specialist works directly with AEC project teams and disciplines to identify, develop and adopt practical AI solutions that improve project delivery. Working alongside engineers, designers and construction professionals, this person understands how work is done today and transforms project and discipline workflows into AI-enabled ways of working. The role evaluates whether AI is the right fit and selects the right approach, from existing enterprise and configurable AI capabilities to custom AI development where justified; rapidly prototypes with real project information; supports adoption; and works with the Solution Delivery team to scale proven solutions. The role supports the Mott MacDonald North America region and reports to the AI and Information Leader.

The ideal candidate combines a strong AEC background with hands-on Applied AI and software development capability, and can independently turn complex project problems into practical, working solutions.

Key Responsibilities

- Identifying Opportunities: Work with engineering, design and construction teams to understand current workflows, delivery challenges and repetitive or information-intensive activities, and define where AI can improve quality, efficiency, consistency or access to information.

- Evaluating Solution Approaches : Assess whether AI is appropriate and select the simplest viable approach: existing capabilities such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, configurable solutions such as Copilot Studio, automation and engineering applications, or custom AI using platforms such as Azure AI Foundry. Avoid unnecessary custom development.

- Transforming AEC Workflows : Redesign existing project and discipline processes as AI-enabled workflows, combining AI, automation, engineering technologies, project information and human expertise.

- Rapid Prototyping with Projects : Build, test and iterate solutions with the engineers, designers and construction professionals who will use them, moving from an ambiguous problem to a working prototype that shows technical feasibility and project value.

- Working Across AEC Information : Work with drawings, BIM/CAD models, specifications, requirements, calculations, GIS and spatial data, imagery, schedules and structured project data.

- Applying Appropriate Technologies : Determine where AI adds value and where deterministic logic, automation, APIs, conventional development or existing engineering applications fit better, combining them into end-to-end workflows.

- Making Solutions Work and Driving Adoption : Adapt prototypes to project-specific information, standards, systems and practices, then work with project and discipline teams to embed them in day-to-day delivery through demonstrations, user testing, feedback and workflow refinement, resolving barriers to adoption.

- Validating with AEC Specialists : Validate AI outputs with engineers and subject-matter experts, understand limitations and establish traceability, assurance and human review before solutions are relied upon.

- Transitioning and Scaling Solutions : Transition proven solutions to the Solution Delivery team, providing prototype components, technical knowledge, requirements, user feedback, project context and lessons learned, and help adapt them for other projects with different standards, workflows, information structures, systems and client requirements.

- Driving Continuous Improvement : Capture reusable technical approaches, workflow patterns, prototype components and lessons learned, and evaluate emerging AI technologies for AEC delivery.

Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Systems or a related field.

- Relevant postgraduate qualifications or professional certifications in engineering, AI, machine learning, software development or digital delivery are a plus.

Experience and Skills

Required:

- Experience in architecture, engineering, construction or major infrastructure delivery, with a practical understanding of how multidisciplinary projects are designed and delivered.

- Strong understanding of design and/or construction workflows, including how teams develop, coordinate, review, approve, issue and use project information.

- Practical knowledge of AEC systems, including CAD/BIM, Common Data Environments, document management, GIS/spatial and other engineering or project information systems.

- Experience with AEC information formats, including drawings, BIM/CAD models, specifications, requirements, calculations, schedules, documents, spatial data, imagery and structured project data.

- Strong hands-on experience building AI solutions using Python, AI APIs, SDKs and modern frameworks, including agentic, multi-step and tool-enabled workflows.

- Experience applying Generative AI and LLMs to real technical or engineering problems, including retrieval and grounding, structured outputs, tool calling and multimodal AI.

- Strong rapid-prototyping capability, moving independently from an ambiguous problem to a working proof of concept, and investigating unfamiliar engineering problems, formats, systems and technologies.

- Ability to integrate AI with project information, APIs, automation and existing applications into end-to-end solutions, rather than treating AI as standalone.

- Ability to select the right approach, from enterprise and configurable AI to custom development, and recognise when AI is not the right solution.

- Understanding of AI evaluation (accuracy, reliability, false positives and negatives, traceability, limitations) and the role of human and engineering validation.

- Proven ability to work with project and discipline teams to understand workflows, co-develop solutions, incorporate feedback and support adoption of AI-enabled ways of working.

- Ability to translate between AEC practitioners and technical teams, keeping solutions grounded in project needs while viable and scalable.

- Clear communication of technical concepts, limitations and findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders, with strong curiosity and ability to learn new technologies and engineering domains quickly.

Preferred:

- Experience applying AI, machine learning or automation directly within engineering design, construction or infrastructure projects.

- Experience prototyping use cases such as design checking, drawing review, requirements assessment, specification analysis, engineering information retrieval, construction information analysis or automated quality checking.

- Computer vision or multimodal AI applied to drawings, models, imagery, point clouds or video.

- RAG, knowledge-retrieval, AI agent or tool-enabled solutions grounded in controlled project information.

- Familiarity with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry, and which problems suit enterprise, configurable or custom AI.

- Autodesk Construction Cloud, Civil 3D, Revit, ProjectWise, ArcGIS or SharePoint.

- SQL, databases, vector search and data platforms supporting AI applications.

- Transitioning prototypes to solution delivery teams for productionisation and cross-project scaling.

- Responsible AI, information security, data governance and engineering assurance considerations.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US, as Mott MacDonald is unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position is US$ 137,000 - 168,000.

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching. We also provide paid time off, paid holidays, caregiver leave, employee referral bonuses, professional registration and membership reimbursements, and tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.