Great insights about working in #AI #Tech #ML #datascience AI Exponential Thinker
Principal AI Consultant || Building AI Solutions and Strategies to drive growth, profit and efficiency
I've interviewed around 150 candidates for ML/AI Engineer positions across various levels over the last 12 months. You guys asked me to share my takeaways, so here they are: I've noticed patterns in what separates good engineers from truly great ones. 1. A focus on understanding and evaluating business value The best ML engineers don't just write code - they solve problems with a clear purpose. I've seen too many candidates who lacked the ability to connect their technical decisions to the business outcomes they were meant to serve. Great engineers can assess the value their work brings and articulate why their approach is the right one. 2. Achieving the optimal balance between traditional and modern ML/AI approaches Some candidates rely heavily on "fancy" AI techniques, over-engineering solutions when simpler methods would suffice. Others stick to outdated tools and miss the chance to deliver quick, impactful proofs of concept. The most impressive candidates demonstrated both depth and flexibility - knowing when to use cutting-edge methods and when a classic ML algorithm was the better choice for the problem at hand. 3. Turning stakeholders' ideas into actionable roadmaps A skill I rarely saw, but deeply value, is the ability to take a vague stakeholder idea and transform it into a clear technical roadmap. Many candidates struggled to scope realistic PoCs or prioritize work to show early value. Great engineers know how to break down big-picture goals into actionable steps and communicate a plan that aligns with both technical and business priorities. 4. Clear and impactful communication of technical concepts Too often, candidates failed to explain their thought processes in a way that made sense to stakeholders or collaborators. The best engineers I've interviewed could simplify complex concepts, tailor their language to their audience and make their ideas resonate - whether with a fellow engineer or a non-technical executive. A great AI engineers care about the impact of their solutions and design the most effective approach to deliver real value, not just complete tasks.