AI Researcher - Construction

Minneapolis, MN, United States | HQ Business Support

SUMMARY

This role will explore emerging digital and field-based AI technologies, develop prototypes, and generate insights that inform strategic initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and support digital transformation across the enterprise. The AI Researcher will be forward-thinking and technically skilled to drive applied research across operations. This position is eligible for remote work, pending approval.

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigate and evaluate AI methods (eg. ML, NPL, computer vision, GenAI) for use cases in construction, safety, scheduling, design and workforce optimization.
• Monitor academic and industry research, startups, and vendor solutions to identify and report on emerging trends and assess their relevance to the organization, our partners, and our customers.
• Partner with operations, innovation, and data teams to understand business challenges and translate into AI research questions and experiments.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, developers and team members to build proof-of-concepts and tools that demonstrate AI capabilities for real-world scenarios.
• Effectively work and build relationships with those of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
• All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years in experience in AI/ML research or applied data science
• Prior work in construction, architecture, engineering, or real estate development or participation in research programs, fellowships, or innovation labs, preferred
• (If applicable) Current driver’s license
• Experience with LLMs, multimodal models, or generative AI (eg. Azure AI Foundry, Google Vertex)
• Familiarity with agent frameworks, agentic workflows, and knowledge graph, preferred
• Strong proficiency in Python, ML frameworks, and data tools
• Familiarity with enterprise construction platforms or solutions (eg Procore, Autodesk, Oracle)
• Understanding of generative design, data collection, field monitoring, and robotics systems for the built environment, (Physical AI, Cyber-Physical Systems, Human-AI collaboration), preferred
• Active listening skills and effective communication including an openness to diverse input and feedback
• Ability to travel up to 25%

A few benefits offered include:

*(for Non-Craft & Non-Union Craft working 25+ hours / week)*

• Medical and prescription drug plans that includes no additional cost vision coverage
• Dental plan
• 401k retirement plan with a generous Mortenson match
• Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves
• Employer paid Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• No-Cost mental health tool and concierge with extensive work-life resources
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• Gym Membership Discount Program

The base pay range for this role is $133,200 - $199,800. (Actual range is higher for the following office locations: Denver, CO and Chicago, IL – 5%, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR – 10%, Washington, D.C. – 12.5

Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience, with consideration given to internal equity.

#LI-BS1

Please make note:

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.
• Our postings are typically open a minimum of 5 days and an average of 44 days.

ABOUT MORTENSON

As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact.

Let’s Redefine Possible®

Equal Employment Opportunity

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of your race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other legally protected category.

Other Items to Note

• Mortenson reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. *No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted* without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.