Senior AI Search Specialist

The Senior AI Search Specialist at 829 Studios plays a pivotal role in redefining how organic search strategies adapt in an AI-first world. This position not only supports the execution of cutting-edge SEO initiatives but also provides a unique opportunity to innovate in emerging platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude. As a forward-thinking team member, you’ll be responsible for implementing and evolving strategies that increase visibility across both search engines and large language models (LLMs). You will work closely with and report to the Head of AI Search & Strategy, collaborating to optimize performance through technical execution, content frameworks, structured data, and experimentation.

In this role, you’ll be expected to stay on the pulse of SEO and AI innovation, continually researching new trends, testing tactics, and presenting actionable insights. You will help evangelize new approaches, gain buy-in from leadership, and push 829 Studios to the forefront of AI-powered search strategy.

What You’ll Do

At 829 Studios, you’ll work with a passionate team that’s pioneering the future of search. We’re building tools, frameworks, and strategies to meet the next era of digital discovery, one where AI plays a central role in how users find and engage with content. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects, learn from leading minds in AI Search, and shape the evolution of a fast-growing agency committed to always being ahead of the curve.

AI Search Optimization

• Own and scale our AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) approach, ensuring client visibility across AI-generated platforms like Google SGE, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and more.
• Assist in building and executing AI Search Optimization (AISEO) strategies that enhance brand discoverability within LLMs.
• Support the technical implementation of AI-powered SEO strategies, including enhancements to crawlability, structured data (e.g., Schema.org, MCP.json, speakable schema), and other LLM-ready markup methods.
• Analyze model outputs to identify risks of hallucination, brand visibility gaps, and opportunities for performance improvement.

SEO Strategy & Execution

• Conduct in-depth audits, competitive analysis, and keyword/entity research.
• Develop holistic content strategies that blend traditional SEO and AI search visibility goals.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to optimize site architecture, crawl paths, and indexation.
• Track and report performance metrics across GA4, GSC, Looker Studio, and other analytics platforms.

Innovation & Tooling

• Help prototype and refine internal tools, dashboards, and frameworks for AI search performance.
• Constantly test, learn, and adapt to evolving SERP behavior, including zero-click results, multimodal search, and generative answer formats.
• Stay current on AI developments, including prompt engineering, retrieval methods (e.g., RAG), and plugins.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• As an AI SEO Strategist, you'll be a key partner with content, analytics, design, and development teams, bringing your strategies to life and contributing to collective knowledge sharing, playbook development, and strategic brainstorming sessions.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing, playbook development, and strategic brainstorming sessions.
• Create and present compelling data visualizations that clearly communicate opportunities for improvement.
• Present strategic recommendations and performance updates to internal leadership and client executives.

What You'll Bring:

• 2 - 5 years of SEO experience, preferably in a fast-paced or agency setting.
• Proven ability to grow organic traffic through on-page SEO, audits, and technical improvements.
• Solid understanding of the AI search ecosystem and the role of LLMs.
• Experience using Screaming Frog, GA4, GSC, Looker Studio, Semrush/Ahrefs, and schema testing tools.
• Proficiency in structured data and web architecture fundamentals.
• Strong data visualization and presentation skills, especially for executive audiences.
• Analytical mindset with a desire to test and learn in an evolving field.
• A passion for innovation and a track record of staying ahead of industry trends.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Familiarity with prompt engineering and outputs from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.
• Experience with RAG retrieval strategies or related LLM optimization techniques.
• Knowledge of Knowledge Graphs and entity-based SEO.
• Proficiency with Semrush, Profound, and related AI search analysis tools.
• Light coding ability in Python, along with HTML/CSS proficiency.
• Contributions to frameworks, tools, or thought leadership in SEO or AI.

Benefits and Perks We Provide

• Remote Workplace. You have the option to work at our office in Boston or remotely in the United States.
• Paid Time Off. Receive generous paid vacation benefits that increase each year you’re with us, 12 Company Holidays, and Summer Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• 401K + Match. 401K plan with 4% Safe Harbor employer match after one year of employment and financial literacy services provided through our retirement provider.
• Life Insurance Benefit. No-cost coverage to ensure peace of mind for your family.
• Short Term Disability Benefit. We've got you covered if you need to be OOO with an illness or injury that keeps you out of work.
• Healthcare. Choose from several competitive healthcare plans for you and your family with 80% employer coverage for all medical and dental premiums, 100% employer coverage for vision, and the option to participate in the FSA program.
• Commuter Benefits. Allocate pre-tax funds towards your commute to save up to 40% per year in transportation expenses.
• Continuing Education. Receive a personal budget to attend events and conferences.

What We Believe

At 829 Studios, we boldly embrace diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity. Our goal: a team rich in backgrounds, perspectives, and talents. Why? Because inclusivity powers our brilliance and client success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, mental illness, age, ancestry, genetic information, military service, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Who We Are 

829 Studios is a Boston-based integrated digital marketing agency with a mission to propel organizations to unlock their full potential and accomplish their most ambitious goals. We harness the power of logic with magic – a balance of data-driven strategy and brand-focused creative. We partner with diverse organizations across various industries and our client list encompasses venture-backed start-ups, publicly traded companies, non-profits, and more. By committing not only to our growth as a company, but the development of our employees and teams’, we have created a collaborative environment that fosters ingenuity and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging values within our community. 829 has been recognized as one of the nation’s top agencies by the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies, Adweek 100 Fastest-Growing Digital Agencies, Boston Business Journal's Fast 50 (Massachusetts' 50 Fastest-Growing Private Companies), HubSpot's Top Digital Agencies list, and a we are and employee-certified Great Place to Work.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000

We determine compensation based on experience, demonstrated skills, and current market conditions at the time of hire to ensure fairness and consistency across roles. Actual compensation will depend on experience and may be adjusted based on skills, qualifications, and alignment with the scope and impact of the role.