How to apply for Senior AI Engineer, AI Labs

About Via Transporation

Via Transportation is unique as it transforms antiquated public transit systems into smart, data-driven networks using cutting-edge software, with hundreds of agency partners globally. Working here means contributing to a mission that directly improves access to jobs, healthcare, and education through technology, while being part of the leading transportation technology provider worldwide.

About the role

As a founding member of Via's new AI Labs, this Senior AI Engineer role involves building production-grade AI products end-to-end, from problem framing to deployment, with autonomy and direct access to leadership. You'll operate in an incubator-style team, experimenting boldly to create AI-powered solutions that could fundamentally change how Via and partner cities operate.

A typical day

A typical day might involve collaborating with AI Labs teammates to frame a new transportation problem, designing data pipelines for a novel AI solution, and working directly with Via's partner agencies to understand their operational challenges. You'd likely split time between rapid prototyping of AI models and planning production deployment strategies for solutions that could scale across Via's global network.

Who Via Transporation is looking for

• Has proven experience building and shipping AI products end-to-end in production environments
• Thrives in startup-like settings with autonomy, moving fast and experimenting boldly
• Can work forward-deployed with partners, deeply understanding transportation challenges
• Is energized by having a 'blank canvas' to innovate within a scaled company's resources

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific AI products you've built end-to-end, emphasizing your role from problem framing through deployment
• Demonstrate experience working in incubator or startup environments where you had significant autonomy
• Show how you've worked forward-deployed with partners or clients to deeply understand domain problems
• Include examples of bold experimentation and moving fast in previous roles
• Connect your experience to transportation, logistics, or urban mobility challenges specifically

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience building AI products from conception to production deployment', 'Examples of working in autonomous, fast-moving environments similar to startup incubators', 'How you approach problem framing and working closely with partners to understand domain challenges', "Why you're specifically excited about transforming public transportation systems through AI"]

Research before applying

• Via's existing transportation platform and how it currently serves agency partners
• The specific challenges in public transportation that AI could address (e.g., routing optimization, demand prediction)
• Via's company culture and how the 'startup within a company' model operates
• Recent news about Via's expansion and partnerships with cities globally

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a complete AI product you built end-to-end, including how you framed the problem and iterated post-deployment
• How you've operated in autonomous, incubator-style environments with limited constraints
• Your experience working forward-deployed with partners or clients to deeply understand their needs
• Approaches to bold experimentation and moving fast while maintaining production quality
• Specific ideas for how AI could transform public transportation systems based on Via's mission

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on AI model development without demonstrating end-to-end product ownership
• Presenting yourself as needing structured guidance rather than thriving in autonomous environments
• Showing generic interest in AI without connecting it specifically to transportation or Via's mission