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AI Solutions Engineer

Staffing Future API

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AI Solutions Engineer — Combined Hiring Manager Intake Summary
Role Overview
Zone 4 is hiring an AI Solutions Engineer to help build and expand the Zone 4 NEXT program. This will be an individual-contributor role focused on turning business ideas, AI-generated prototypes, and clickable demos into secure, connected, production-ready applications.
This is not intended to be a traditional software-development position with lengthy development cycles. Zone 4 needs a creative, hands-on builder who can move quickly, work iteratively, and contribute ideas beyond the original request.
What Is Zone 4 NEXT?
Zone 4 NEXT represents the next stage of the company’s growth. Zone 4 is primarily known as a construction and installation company that installs conveyor, robotic, and automated material-handling systems. The goal of NEXT is to differentiate the company through technology.
The broader vision is to provide customers and internal teams with critical information almost instantaneously, particularly around:

The material-handling and construction industries generally do not offer this level of real-time visibility, giving Zone 4 an opportunity to be the first to market with several of these capabilities.
Current Applications and Use Cases
Mitch has taught himself how to design and prototype applications with AI over approximately the past two months. He is currently building these tools himself during nights and weekends.
Three web-based applications have already been developed:

One of the primary applications is a web-based estimator for a product category also supported by Kardex. A traditional quote currently takes approximately one to two weeks to complete, which is consistent with the industry standard. The new estimator can produce a highly accurate, contract-ready quote within approximately one day.
The long-term goal is to build similar estimating capabilities for every system Zone 4 quotes, reducing turnaround time to one day or less.
Additional planned use cases include:

Zone 4 is currently experimenting with Meta smart glasses to determine whether wearable technology can capture field activity and produce accurate project-status updates.
How Ideas Will Move into Production
Zone 4 employees and leaders will be encouraged to experiment with ideas for new applications, automations, and agents. They will use Claude to build early demos, wireframes, or clickable prototypes.
A small internal committee will review the concepts based on usability and potential value to the organization. Approved concepts will be prioritized for development.
The AI Solutions Engineer will then:

The ability to share data across the various tools will be especially important. Zone 4 does not want to create a collection of disconnected applications.
Current Technology Environment
The existing prototypes primarily use:

Mitch is not committed to keeping every production application in Python or using a specific language. The person can recommend .NET or another technology if it provides a more secure, stable, and maintainable solution.
The hiring team is open to candidates from Python, Java, .NET, full-stack, automation, data, or other technical backgrounds. The candidate must be able to select the appropriate technology without allowing the process to become slow or overly complicated.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a creative builder who lives and breathes AI, applications, agents, and automation. This person should naturally experiment with technology and enjoy turning ideas into working products.
Mitch wants someone who can review a demo and say, “This is a good start, but here are five additional things we could do to take it to the next level.”
The person should be:

Experience Level
Mitch is more interested in aptitude, creativity, and demonstrated building experience than tenure. A hungry candidate with approximately three to six years of relevant experience could be stronger than someone with 20 years of traditional software-development experience.
Candidates do not need to come from a specific technology stack. The most important consideration is what they have personally conceived, designed, and built.
Profiles to Avoid
Mitch does not want a traditional software developer who is merely trying to reposition themselves in the AI market.
He wants to avoid candidates who:

A software-development background can still be valuable if the candidate demonstrates speed, ownership, creativity, and genuine hands-on AI experimentation.
Possible Candidate Titles
The official title is:
AI Solutions Engineer
Zone 4 previously considered titles such as Manager of Solution Architecture and Implementation and Innovation Engineer but determined that they did not accurately describe the work.
Relevant candidate titles could include:

Candidates should not be excluded solely because their current title is different.
Relevant Industry Backgrounds
Direct warehouse-automation or material-handling experience would be valuable but is not required.
Related environments include:

A candidate who has built technology in a construction, services, manufacturing, or project-based environment may understand Zone 4’s operational challenges particularly well.
Location and Work Arrangement
The role can be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States, but Mitch strongly prefers someone located in Cincinnati.
Zone 4 may consider a creative arrangement for an exceptional candidate. For example, Mitch would potentially consider part-time employment for someone who wants to continue teaching while contributing to the NEXT program. The arrangement would still need to meet Zone 4’s operational needs and work financially for both parties.
Interview Process
The anticipated interview process will include:

  1. Initial qualification with Gravity.
  2. A 45–60-minute interview with Mitch.
  3. An additional interview with one other Zone 4 leader.

The CFO technically owns the Zone 4 NEXT program and may ask to participate, but the final interview structure has not yet been determined.
Potential Candidate: Tim Lucas
Tim Lucas was mentioned as someone who may align with the creative and experimental nature of the position.
Potential considerations include:

Mitch is willing to have a conversation and potentially consider a creative or part-time structure if there is mutual interest. Tim could also be a valuable referral source if the role is not right for him.
Confidential Sonepar Referral
Mitch received a confidential referral through his friend TJ regarding someone currently working at Sonepar. The individual is reportedly unhappy and may be interested in leaving.
The situation is sensitive because Sonepar is believed to be one of Kardex’s largest AutoStore customers globally. TJ is concerned that the outreach could be traced back to him and potentially affect the customer relationship.
The agreed approach is:

Gravity has exclusive recruiting ownership of this search. No other recruiters or agencies within the organization are currently working on it.
Most Important Recruiting Takeaway
Zone 4 is looking for a builder, not simply a developer.
The strongest candidate will be able to show applications, agents, automations, or AI tools they personally conceived and built. They should be excited by an early prototype, capable of improving the idea, and able to turn it into a connected production application without introducing a lengthy traditional development process.
 

AI Solutions Engineer

Job Type: Contract to hire, Direct Hire
Job Location: Cincinnati, OH Hybrid; Remote
Job Status: US Citizen

About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking an innovative and hands-on AI Solutions Engineer to design, build, and deploy AI-powered applications, automations, integrations, and data solutions that drive operational efficiency and business growth.

This role serves as the bridge between business operations and technology, translating real-world challenges into scalable, secure, and production-ready solutions. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex problems, and is passionate about leveraging AI and automation to improve workflows, decision-making, and operational outcomes.

You’ll work directly with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and operational teams to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and establish technical standards that support long-term scalability and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Development & Delivery

Systems Integration & Architecture

AI, Automation & Data Management

Operational Excellence

Stakeholder Collaboration

What Success Looks Like

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers a unique opportunity to work directly with executive leadership and influence the future technology strategy of a growing organization. You’ll have the autonomy to build impactful AI and automation solutions that improve operational performance, enhance decision-making, and help scale the business through innovative technology.

If you enjoy turning ideas into real-world solutions and want to make a visible impact through AI, automation, and modern software engineering, we’d love to hear from you.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Gravity IT Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

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