9 Best Sites to Find AI Operations Specialist Jobs in the US

As companies move past the ‘AI hype’ and into full-scale implementation, a new critical role has emerged: the AI Operations (AIOps) Specialist. Acting as the bridge between raw code and real-world business results, these professionals are responsible for monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing AI systems in live production environments.

Whether it’s scaling LLM deployments or managing complex data pipelines, the demand for this hybrid expertise is skyrocketing—with mid-level US salaries now averaging between $120k and $180k.

However, finding these specialized roles requires knowing exactly where to look beyond the generic job boards. If you’re ready to land your next role in tech hubs like San Francisco, NYC, or Seattle, here are the 9 best sites to find AI Operations Specialist jobs in the US right now.

What is an AI Operations Specialist?

An AI Operations (AIOps) Specialist manages the lifecycle of AI systems from deployment to ongoing optimization. Think of them as the “engineers of the engine room”—while Data Scientists build the models, the Specialist ensures those models actually work at scale, stay accurate, and don’t break the bank.

Unlike traditional software operations, this role requires a unique blend of technical and business skills:

• System Reliability: Monitoring model performance and “drift” to ensure the AI doesn’t become less accurate over time.
• Workflow Integration: Plugging AI agents into existing business tools (like Salesforce, Slack, or proprietary ERPs).
• Cost & Token Management: In 2026, a huge part of the role is optimizing API costs and “token” usage to keep AI deployments profitable.
• Automation: Building the data pipelines that feed the models so they can provide real-time insights.

In short, if a model is the “brain,” the AI Operations Specialist is the “nervous system” that makes sure the brain is connected to the body and functioning 24/7.

Why Target the US AI Job Market?

The United States isn’t just participating in the AI revolution; it’s architecting it. For an AI Operations Specialist, the US market offers a unique combination of high density, high pay, and high flexibility.

• The “Premium” Pay Gap: Salaries for AI roles in the US are consistently 30–50% higher than global averages. In 2026, mid-level AI Ops Specialists are commanding base pays between $120k and $180k, with senior roles frequently crossing the $200k+ mark when including equity.

• Talent Clusters: While the market is expanding, opportunity remains highly concentrated. San Francisco, New York, and Seattle alone account for roughly 44% of all AI tech jobs in the US. However, emerging hubs like Austin, Atlanta, and Chicago are growing rapidly, offering a better balance between high salaries and cost of living.

• The Remote Shift: Despite a return to offices in some sectors, AI Operations is leading the “Flex Work” charge. Recent data shows that approximately 30% of AI roles are fully remote, with another 33% following a hybrid model, allowing you to tap into Silicon Valley salaries from anywhere in the country.

• Hybrid Skill Valuation: The US market specifically rewards “bridge” talent. Companies are moving away from hiring only “pure” researchers and are now aggressively recruiting specialists who can blend operational discipline with AI tool fluency.

Search Term Hacks: Cutting Through the Noise

Because the “AI Operations” title is still being standardized, many of the best roles are hidden under adjacent titles. To find the highest-value listings in the US, use these precise keyword strategies:

Use the “Alternative Title” Matrix

Don’t just search for “AI Operations Specialist.” In 2026, recruiters often use these high-intent keywords instead:

• MLOps Engineer: Focuses on the technical infrastructure and deployment.
• AI Implementation Specialist: Often found in consulting or enterprise software firms.
• LLM Operations (LLMOps): Specifically for companies managing Large Language Models.
• Agentic Systems Lead: A breakout 2026 title for those managing autonomous AI agents.
• AI Workflow Developer: Best for roles focused on automation (Zapier, Make, or LangChain).

Filter for “High-Signal” Variables

On platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, the generic “AI” search will return thousands of junk results. Combine your search with these filters to find the serious players:

• The Salary Filter: Add “$120,000+” or “$150k” to your search string to bypass entry-level or “AI enthusiast” gigs.
• The “Remote US” Tag: If you aren’t in a tech hub, specifically search [Job Title] + "Remote US" to find companies with established distributed teams.

Set Up “Company-Specific” Alerts

In 2026, the biggest hirers aren’t just tech companies—they are traditional giants undergoing AI transformations. Create alerts for:

• The AI Builders: OpenAI, Anthropic, NVIDIA, and Google.
• The Integrators: Salesforce, Atlassian, and Microsoft.
• The “Secret” Hirers: Financial institutions (JPMorgan Chase) and Government agencies (GSA or Digital Service) are currently hiring AI Ops roles at record rates.

9 Best Sites to Find AI Operations Specialist Jobs in the US

These platforms curate high-volume, targeted listings for AI Ops roles, saving you from hours of generic keyword filtering. For the best results, prioritize sites that allow you to filter by salary transparency and remote US status.

The “Skilldential” Insight: Beating the Noise

In recent Skilldential career audits, we found that “Pivoters” and “Tech-Lite” professionals often get overwhelmed by LinkedIn results (sometimes seeing 5,000+ irrelevant jobs). By using the Search Term Hacks mentioned above and focusing on these 9 curated sites, our candidates reported a 40% increase in application response rates. Don’t just apply everywhere—apply where the AI-specific talent is being sought.

AI Operations Specialist FAQs

What skills define an AI Operations Specialist in 2026?

The core of the role is “orchestration.” While you need to understand MLOps and data pipelines, the most in-demand specialists are masters of AI monitoring (detecting drift) and automation tools (like LangChain, Zapier, or Make). Business acumen is the real differentiator; you must be able to prove that an AI workflow is actually saving the company money or time.

Is an AI Operations role coding-heavy?

Not necessarily. It sits between the “hardcode” ML Engineer and the traditional Business Analyst. While Python basics are highly recommended for troubleshooting, many 2026 roles focus on “Tech-Lite” orchestration—using no-code or low-code platforms to manage AI agents and model integrations.

What kind of salary can I expect in the US?

The market remains extremely strong. Mid-level AI Ops roles currently average $129k–$180k. If you are targeting Tier-1 hubs like San Francisco or New York, total compensation packages (including equity) frequently cross $200k+. Remote roles have largely achieved “pay parity” with onsite roles for specialized talent.

Are remote AI Ops jobs actually available?

AI Operations is one of the most “remote-friendly” sectors in tech. Platforms like Wellfound and FlexJobs specifically vet for these roles. Because the work is digital-first (monitoring cloud systems and API workflows), many US firms now hire “Distributed-First” to access the best talent across all time zones.

How does AI Ops differ from traditional DevOps?

If DevOps is about keeping the “pipes” running, AI Ops is about monitoring the “liquid” inside them. Traditional DevOps handles software stability; AI Ops handles model stability. This includes managing “data drift” (when a model gets dumber over time) and “latency” (how fast the AI responds), which are challenges traditional DevOps tools weren’t built to solve.

In Conclusion

The “AI hype” has matured into a massive operational demand. With mid-level US salaries starting at $120k+ and high concentrations of roles in tech hubs like SF and NYC, the opportunity for AI Operations Specialists has never been greater.

Whether you are a “Tech-Lite” pivoter or a seasoned MLOps pro, the key is to move fast on the right platforms. Don’t get lost in the noise of generic boards; use the 9 sites and keyword hacks we’ve discussed to find your edge.

Your Next Step: Pick the top 3 sites from our list (we recommend LinkedIn, Wellfound, and AI-Jobs.net) and set a custom alert today using the string: “LLM Operations” + remote.

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Abiodun Lawrence

Hi, I'm Lawrence. I started SkillDential because I saw how fast the world was changing and how many talented people were being left behind by the AI wave.

My goal is simple: to make AI career paths clear, accessible, and achievable for everyone. I spend my days testing certifications and analyzing job trends so you don’t have to. I believe that in 2026, the best skill you can have is adaptability—and I’m here to help you master it.

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