Hybrid Project Lead – AI Text-to-SQL, Semantic Layer

at Deeplight AI

• Job title: Project Lead – AI Text-to-SQL, Semantic Layer
• Job type: Contract
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Tech skills: Azure, Cloud, SQL, Tableau
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About the role

• Project Lead at DeepLight AI focusing on AI text-to-SQL platforms and semantic data integration. Leading a small team to deliver production-ready solutions for enterprise data access.

Responsibilities

• DeepLight AI is a specialist AI and data consultancy with extensive experience implementing intelligent enterprise systems across multiple industries, with particular depth in financial services and banking. Our team combines deep expertise in data science, statistical modeling, AI/ML technologies, workflow automation, and systems integration with a practical understanding of complex business operations.
• The Project Lead drives the design, delivery, and operational rollout of an internal AI-powered text-to-SQL query platform that enables natural language access to enterprise data across multiple BI systems. This role sits at the intersection of LLM engineering, semantic data modeling, BI metadata management, and pragmatic delivery leadership.
• The role leads a focused 5–7 person team to deliver a production-ready conversational query layer in a fast-paced window. This role requires an individual who thrives on execution, cuts through complexity, and knows how to ship working AI solutions quickly and safely.
• **Key Responsibilities of the role include:**
• ***AI & Data Delivery ***
• Lead end-to-end delivery of an internal conversational AI interface that converts natural language questions into SQL queries.
• Drive the evaluation and implementation of semantic model generation approaches (vendor-based and in-house custom development).
• Build and operationalize a query stack hosted inside the company’s VPC.
• ***Semantic Layer & BI Integration ***
• Design, refine, and implement a semantic layer that supports accurate text-to-SQL translation.
• Integrate the solution across existing BI platforms (MicroStrategy, Power BI, Tableau) without requiring tool migration.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise data governance and the company’s “Data for AI” initiative.
• ***Vendor & Tooling Strategy ***
• Assess capabilities of MicroStrategy’s AI features, Microsoft Azure-native tools, and emerging startup solutions.
• Provide a balanced BI tooling recommendation based on operational needs and platform capabilities.
• Mitigate vendor lock-in by evaluating multiple options and architecting flexible solutions.
• ***Cross-Functional Leadership ***
• Work with domain SMEs in Finance and Retail to incorporate business context into the semantic layer.
• Collaborate with internal data, BI, and AI engineering teams.
• Provide clear, actionable updates to senior leadership with a bias toward rapid decision-making.

Requirements

• 7–12+ years in Data Engineering, ML Engineering, Data Architecture, or Applied AI.
• Hands-on experience with:
• Text-to-SQL or NL-to-query systems
• Conversational AI (LLMs, prompt engineering, fine-tuning)
• Semantic modeling, MDM concepts, ontologies, or BI metadata layers
• SQL and BI ecosystems (Power BI, Tableau, MicroStrategy)
• Comfortable integrating LLMs with data warehouses, APIs, and enterprise cloud environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex AI/data projects under compressed timelines.
• Fast, pragmatic decision-maker who avoids analysis paralysis.
• Strong cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading small, high-performance engineering teams.
• It would be great if you also have;
• A background in Microsoft Azure ecosystem or Azure OpenAI.
• Previous exposure to Microsoft Fabric, dbt, semantic modeling tools, or metadata automation platforms.
• Previous experience building internal copilots or enterprise LLM applications.

Benefits

• **Benefits & Growth Opportunities:**
• · Competitive salary and performance bonuses
• · Comprehensive health insurance
• · Professional development and certification support
• · Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects
• · Flexible working arrangements
• · Career advancement opportunities in a rapidly growing AI company