Lead Prompt Engineer job in Los Angeles, CA

Are you an expert in prompt engineering with a passion for building groundbreaking applications using large language models (LLMs)? We’re seeking a Lead Prompt Engineer to join our cutting-edge AI team in Los Angeles, CA. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of technology, creativity, and innovation, leading the development of high-performing prompt systems that power next-generation AI products. If you’re driven by impact and eager to shape the future of human-AI collaboration, this role is made for you.

Lead the Future of AI Innovation in Los Angeles

A fast-growing tech company in Los Angeles, CA is looking for a Lead Prompt Engineer to architect, design, and optimize prompt workflows for state-of-the-art LLMs. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of natural language processing (NLP), prompt design strategies, and hands-on experience with models like GPT, Claude, or Gemini. If you thrive in dynamic environments and want to be a key player in delivering intelligent, ethical, and scalable AI solutions, this is your chance to take the lead in a revolutionary field.

Key Responsibilities of the Lead Prompt Engineer – Generative AI & LLM Applications

Prompt Design & Optimization: Develop, test, and refine high-performing prompts for various use cases involving large language models (LLMs). Use advanced prompt engineering techniques to improve model accuracy, coherence, and task-specific performance across domains.

Strategic LLM Development: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable prompt frameworks that align with product objectives and long-term AI strategies. Lead the evolution of prompt systems to ensure compatibility with emerging LLM capabilities and research advancements.

Model Evaluation & Experimentation: Design experiments to evaluate model outputs and performance using quantitative and qualitative metrics. Identify bottlenecks, bias, and hallucination issues, and implement data-informed adjustments to improve prompt effectiveness.

Tooling & Automation: Create internal tools, templates, and libraries to streamline the prompt development process. Build automated systems for testing and evaluating prompt variants at scale, reducing iteration time and improving efficiency.

Team Collaboration & Leadership: Mentor junior prompt engineers and provide technical leadership across AI projects. Promote collaboration with data scientists, engineers, and product managers to ensure prompt quality aligns with user experience and product goals.

Knowledge Management & Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of prompt engineering practices, experiments, and best practices. Contribute to internal knowledge bases to facilitate cross-team learning and onboarding.

User-Centric Design: Translate user feedback, behavioral data, and usage patterns into prompt design strategies that improve LLM interaction quality. Drive innovation in natural language interfaces that prioritize clarity, engagement, and user satisfaction.

Security, Ethics & Safety: Ensure responsible AI practices in prompt design by proactively addressing safety, bias, and ethical considerations. Work closely with compliance and research teams to maintain adherence to industry guidelines and internal policies.

Cross-Model Compatibility: Optimize prompts for various LLM platforms (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Cohere) and stay informed about updates, performance benchmarks, and model-specific behaviors to ensure adaptability across systems.

Innovation & Research: Stay current with the latest AI and NLP research trends. Experiment with novel prompting techniques (e.g., chain-of-thought, zero-shot, few-shot learning) to continuously push the boundaries of what LLMs can achieve.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Lead Prompt Engineer – Generative AI & LLM Applications, the client is seeking a forward-thinking technologist with deep expertise in natural language processing and a passion for large language model (LLM) innovation. You should be a results-oriented professional who thrives in fast-paced, research-driven environments and can balance creativity with technical rigor to build high-impact AI solutions.

Proven Experience in Prompt Engineering and NLP

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience designing and refining prompts for LLMs such as GPT-4, Claude, or Gemini. You should bring a portfolio of successful prompt strategies across diverse use cases, demonstrating your ability to improve model output, reduce hallucinations, and align responses with business goals. Expertise in NLP, machine learning pipelines, and model evaluation is essential.

Creative Technologist with a Strategic Mindset

You are more than just a prompt writer—you think systematically and strategically. The client values engineers who understand the broader impact of prompt design on product performance, user experience, and AI alignment. You must demonstrate a track record of experimenting with innovative techniques (e.g., chain-of-thought, few-shot learning) to continuously elevate model capabilities.

Strong Analytical and Research Skills

A sharp analytical mindset is critical in this role. You should be skilled at designing experiments, analyzing model outputs, and applying data-driven methods to optimize prompts. The client is looking for someone who can bridge theory and practice—leveraging the latest AI research while delivering tangible business outcomes.

Leadership in Collaboration and Mentorship

As a lead engineer, your ability to guide others is key. The client is looking for someone who can mentor junior team members, lead collaborative initiatives across engineering, data science, and product teams, and contribute to a strong internal knowledge culture. Experience building internal tools or libraries to streamline prompt development is a major plus.

User-Centric Problem Solver

Understanding user intent and translating it into clear, effective AI communication is at the heart of this role. You should be empathetic toward end users and experienced in designing AI systems that provide meaningful, context-aware, and safe interactions. A background in user research or product thinking is highly valued.

Ethical AI Advocate

The client values a deep commitment to ethical AI practices. You should demonstrate awareness of the social and technical implications of prompt engineering, including bias mitigation, safety considerations, and regulatory compliance. Your approach should reflect a responsible mindset toward developing trustworthy and human-aligned AI systems.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

The generative AI space is evolving rapidly. The ideal candidate embraces continuous learning, stays up to date with advancements in LLM research, and is eager to adapt to new tools, APIs, and techniques. The client is seeking a lifelong learner who thrives on experimentation and is motivated to stay ahead of the curve.

FAQs About the Role – Lead Prompt Engineer – Generative AI & LLM Applications

1. What are the key responsibilities of the Lead Prompt Engineer in this role?
As the Lead Prompt Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing prompts for large language models (LLMs) across a variety of use cases. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop scalable prompt architectures, build tools to streamline prompt engineering workflows, mentor junior engineers, and ensure model performance aligns with business objectives. You will also lead innovation efforts in prompt strategy and ethical AI implementation.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate should have a strong background in natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, or computational linguistics, along with hands-on experience working with LLMs such as GPT-4, Claude, or similar. Proficiency in Python and prompt engineering methodologies is essential. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, AI, or a related field is preferred. Experience in designing user-centric AI solutions and familiarity with AI safety and bias mitigation practices is highly valued.

3. What qualities are essential for success in this role?
The client seeks a creative, strategic thinker who is passionate about AI and natural language understanding. You should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams. Leadership experience, adaptability, curiosity for ongoing research trends, and a strong sense of ethical responsibility in AI design are also critical for this role.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?
In this role, you will face challenges such as optimizing prompts for diverse user needs, handling model limitations (e.g., hallucinations or bias), ensuring prompt consistency across LLM platforms, and keeping pace with fast-moving advancements in AI research. Balancing technical depth with product impact, and aligning model output with ethical and safety standards, are also key challenges.

5. What is the expected impact of the Lead Prompt Engineer on the product and company?
As a Lead Prompt Engineer, your work will directly influence the quality, reliability, and user experience of AI-powered features. Your prompt strategies will help unlock the full potential of LLMs, enhance product performance, and set a foundation for scalable, human-aligned AI systems. You’ll play a vital role in advancing innovation and establishing the company as a leader in generative AI applications.

6. What is the team culture and work environment like?
The company fosters a collaborative, fast-paced, and research-driven culture where innovation and curiosity are highly encouraged. You’ll be part of a diverse and talented team of engineers, scientists, and designers committed to building ethical, impactful AI. The environment values open communication, continuous learning, and a shared mission to shape the future of AI responsibly.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Lead Prompt Engineer – Generative AI & LLM Applications based in Los Angeles, CA, you can expect a highly competitive compensation package designed to attract top-tier AI talent in a rapidly evolving industry. The remuneration for this role typically includes:

1. Base Salary
The annual base salary for a Lead Prompt Engineer in the generative AI space typically ranges from $160,000 to $220,000, depending on experience, technical expertise, and company size. Organizations at the forefront of AI development, especially in Los Angeles’ tech ecosystem, may offer salaries on the higher end of this range.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses
In addition to the base salary, most roles include annual performance-based bonuses, typically ranging from 10% to 25% of the base salary. These bonuses are tied to individual contributions, team milestones, and the success of AI-driven initiatives.

3. Equity & Stock Options
To align long-term incentives, many tech companies offer equity-based compensation such as stock options, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), or Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs). This provides the opportunity to share in the company’s future growth and valuation, particularly in high-growth or venture-backed firms.

4. Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)
Select employers may include LTIPs to reward employees for sustained innovation and performance. These incentives may be structured around milestones such as patent filings, successful deployment of AI features, or revenue growth tied to AI capabilities.

5. Benefits & Perks
Lead Prompt Engineers typically receive a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plans with company match
Paid time off and flexible work schedules
Mental health and wellness support
Learning & development budgets
Remote or hybrid work options
Travel stipends or conference allowances

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance
For in-demand candidates, companies may offer signing bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, along with relocation support for those moving to Los Angeles. These incentives are designed to ease transitions and secure top talent swiftly.

Total Compensation Potential

When including base salary, performance bonuses, equity, and incentives, the total annual compensation for a Lead Prompt Engineer in a leading AI organization can range from $200,000 to $350,000+, depending on performance and company success. In high-growth or late-stage startups, equity packages can significantly increase long-term earning potential.

How to Apply

If you are a creative and technically skilled prompt engineer with a passion for large language models and cutting-edge AI applications, we invite you to apply for the Lead Prompt Engineer – Generative AI & LLM Applications position in Los Angeles, CA. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of human-AI interaction, lead innovation in prompt architecture, and build impactful solutions at the forefront of generative AI.

To apply, please submit your resume along with a cover letter outlining your experience in prompt engineering, LLM optimization, NLP, and machine learning applications. Be sure to highlight your work with models like GPT-4, Claude, or similar systems, as well as any contributions to internal tooling, research, or real-world deployments of AI-powered features.

This role offers a high-impact career opportunity where your work will directly influence product performance, user satisfaction, and the evolution of next-generation AI technologies. Apply now to join a team of world-class innovators and take your expertise to the next level as a Lead Prompt Engineer in Los Angeles, CA.

For more information or to explore related opportunities, visit our Prompt Engineering Executive Search Firm Page.

Job Category: Prompt Engineering

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Los Angeles

Lead Prompt Engineer job in Los Angeles, CA