Manager IT Enterprise Artificial Intelligence Engineering Job Listing at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Katy, TX (Job ID R322630)

Description

Who We Are

At Academy Sports + Outdoors our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country — but what truly sets us apart is our people. We're a passionate, purpose-driven team that's as committed to each other as we are to our customers.

We've spent over 80 years building a culture that puts people first. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member's journey. What fuels us? Our belief in the power of fun.

Here, you won't just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you'll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can't lose!  

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.

Work Experiences:

• 10+ years of experience in AI/ML, including designing, developing, and leading AI technology stacks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Azure ML, AWS SageMaker) preferred
• 2+ years of experience in leading, coaching, and mentoring teams in a managerial capacity
• Experience in architecting and deploying enterprise AI solutions, including machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI models.
• Managerial experience in leading, coaching, and mentoring AI engineers, data scientists, and ML engineers to deliver AI-driven solutions and develop strategic roadmaps for enterprise-wide AI adoption.
• Experience collaborating with business stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into technical AI solutions from concept to implementation.
• Experience in developing data architecture and modeling solutions for AI and advanced analytics.
• Experience with data integration, data engineering, and big data technologies, utilizing design patterns such as batch and streaming ETL, real-time inference, and AI-powered analytics.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, and MLOps methodologies for AI project delivery.
• Expert knowledge of model development, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management across multiple platforms (cloud and on-premises).

Skills:

• Ability to remain organized, pay strict attention to detail, and meet critical deadlines within a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytic skills with the ability to use key tools to dive deep and provide analysis consistently on AI model performance and business impact.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work on multiple AI projects in a dynamic environment.
• Expertise with a wide variety of AI and data science software, including ML frameworks, data integration, data lake, data warehouse, cloud AI platforms, reporting tools, SQL, Python, R, and scripting languages.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with individuals at various levels, both internal and external.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and creative resolution, especially in AI model troubleshooting and optimization.
• Strong Microsoft Office program experience, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with AI ethics, responsible AI practices, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of enterprise data resources, including operational databases, data flows, and external data sources for AI applications.
• Lead and manage AI software development responsibilities for developing, enhancing, and maintaining AI-powered applications and solutions.
• Establish trust and build relationships with stakeholders in IT, marketing, business intelligence, and other functional areas to drive AI adoption.
• Lead AI engineers and data scientists to deliver well-designed, scalable, and robust AI solutions.
• Provide expertise and recommend solutions to complex AI and data science technical issues.
• Formalize standards and best practices for AI model development, deployment, monitoring, and stakeholder management.
• Lead, evaluate, and recommend emerging AI technologies and options for enterprise AI innovation.
• Manage tasks with attention to detail and accuracy, ensuring high-quality AI deliverables.
• Develop a thorough understanding of company policies, procedures, and safety rules as they relate to AI and data governance.
• Responsibilities may change; team members may be required to perform other tasks as assigned.
• Champion responsible AI practices, ensuring fairness, transparency, and privacy in all AI solutions.
• Oversee the lifecycle of AI models, including data acquisition, feature engineering, model training, validation, deployment, and monitoring.
• Drive innovation by exploring new AI methodologies, such as generative AI, agentic frameworks, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for AI-driven automation and business process optimization.
• Mentor and develop talent within the AI team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.
• Partners with vendors and external experts to evaluate and implement cutting-edge AI technologies.

Physical Requirements & Attendance

• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties.
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.
• Regular office attendance is required.

Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.​