Top 10 Companies Hiring AI Engineers in Port Saint Lucie, FL in 2026

Table of Contents

• The Hidden Currents of AI in Port Saint Lucie
• Cleveland Clinic Florida
• NextEra Energy
• Bausch and Lomb
• Lockheed Martin
• Citi
• Indian River State College AI Center
• St. Lucie County Government
• BankUnited
• Chewy
• Carrier
• Making Your Impact in Port Saint Lucie's AI Ecosystem
• Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland Clinic Florida

At the forefront of Port Saint Lucie's AI transformation is Cleveland Clinic Florida, operating from its advanced Tradition Research Park. This is where AI engineering intersects with life-or-death clinical decisions, managed by the health system's first Chief AI Officer and the Center for Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence (CDAI).

Engineers here build what the clinic calls "Virtual Command Centers" to revolutionize patient care, working on systems like AI medical scribes for clinical documentation and predictive models for outcomes like sepsis detection. The tech stack is rigorous, centered on Python, PyTorch, and deep integration with Epic EHR and platforms like Palantir Foundry. A pilot program for AI scribes highlighted the importance of process, with a key takeaway being that "the technology is only one component" of successful implementation.

The work demands an exceptional focus on clinical data ethics and system design for high-reliability environments. In return, Senior ML Engineers command salaries from $130,000 to over $190,000, reflecting the critical nature of their role in a health system actively expanding its AI clinical intelligence rollout. This is where your code directly contributes to saving lives and automating hospital operations at a world-class institution in your backyard.

NextEra Energy

A short drive south in Juno Beach, NextEra Energy is executing one of the most ambitious AI implementations in the country, following a landmark strategic partnership with Google Cloud to create predictive resilience for the entire U.S. power grid. This work positions the company at the forefront of how power and energy companies are innovating with cloud and AI.

Projects focus on predictive maintenance for grid assets, storm impact modeling with tools like WeatherNext 2, and sensitive "Nuclear AI" initiatives for anomaly detection in energy plants. The tech stack leverages Google Cloud Vertex AI and sophisticated time-series models like TimesFM 2.5 to forecast demand and prevent catastrophic failures, representing a fundamental shift toward a proactive, data-driven grid.

The interview process is famously rigorous, emphasizing time-series analysis and validation for these safety-critical infrastructure systems. Engineers must demonstrate expertise in industrial IoT system design and a deep understanding of how to build reliable models in high-stakes environments.

Salaries reflect this critical mission, with AI Engineers earning between $134,000 and $193,000, and Principal roles exceeding $210,000. For engineers in the Treasure Coast region who want their work to have a tangible, statewide impact on millions of lives, NextEra represents a premier destination at the nexus of AI and essential services.

Bausch and Lomb

Global healthcare leader Bausch + Lomb leverages its Port Saint Lucie operations for cutting-edge industrial AI, representing a significant shift from predictive analytics to "Agentic Systems". This focus places the company among the active local employers seeking talent for roles like AI Agent engineers, a growing niche in the regional market.

Here, engineers design and optimize autonomous AI agents that don't just recommend actions but execute them to solve complex operational bottlenecks in real-time. This involves process automation and decision support across manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and stringent quality control for essential healthcare products. Teams work at the intersection of AI and physical operations, utilizing Python and frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch to build systems that actively manage production environments.

The work offers a unique blend of software engineering and tangible industrial problem-solving. For this specialized expertise, the company offers robust compensation, with AI Agent & ML Engineers commanding salaries between $165,000 and $190,000. It’s a prime opportunity for those in Port Saint Lucie to move beyond theory and build the autonomous intelligence that optimizes the making of critical products, showcasing a deep, applied current in the local AI ecosystem.

Lockheed Martin

While based in Orlando, Lockheed Martin's advanced aerospace and defense projects are accessible to Treasure Coast AI professionals through hybrid work models, representing some of the most technically challenging AI work in the state. Engineers contribute to the "OneLM" digital transformation, working on sensing systems, computer vision for autonomous platforms, and complex sensing-to-action workflows as detailed in their job listings for Senior AI/ML Full-Stack Engineers.

The work involves specialized defense AI and robust system design for environments where failure is not an option, requiring engineers to obtain security clearances. The interview process reflects this high-stakes environment, with a rigorous focus on ML theory and engineering for mission-critical national security applications.

For those in Port Saint Lucie who crave mission-critical R&D and don't mind the commute or hybrid schedule, Lockheed provides a direct pipeline to the forefront of national defense technology. Reflecting the demanding nature of this work, Senior AI/ML Full-Stack Engineers can earn between $140,000 and $200,000+, a competitive range that aligns with the broader salary data for top AI/ML engineering roles.

Citi

Citi’s substantial Tampa hub serves as a major fintech anchor for the entire state, actively recruiting AI talent that can operate in a hybrid capacity from the Treasure Coast. This makes the bank a significant part of the broader Florida AI engineering job market, offering a pathway into high-finance technology without requiring relocation to a coastal megacity.

The work centers on Generative AI for financial technology, including automated risk assessment models, sophisticated fraud detection systems, and AI-driven customer experience enhancements. Engineers work with enterprise-scale GenAI platforms and rigorous MLOps practices to deploy models that must be both innovative and impeccably reliable within a global financial framework.

This role is ideal for AI professionals in Port Saint Lucie who want to tackle large-scale, data-intensive problems in finance while benefiting from Florida’s lack of state income tax and Citi’s hybrid work flexibility. The compensation reflects the seniority and specialization required, with ML Engineers at the Vice President level commanding salaries from $142,320 to $213,480, positioning it as one of the most lucrative specialized currents in the regional ecosystem.

Indian River State College AI Center

At the heart of building Port Saint Lucie’s future talent pipeline is the AI Center at Indian River State College. This foundational institution is shaping the next generation of AI practitioners, with active listings for roles like AI Facilitators that focus on education and applied research rather than corporate product development.

Positions here focus on developing AI-enabled curriculum, creating generative AI tools for workforce training, and leading applied research projects with regional industry partners. The work involves Python, educational technology platforms, and a strong emphasis on AI literacy, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and the practical skills demanded by local employers like Cleveland Clinic and NextEra Energy.

While salaries are academically oriented, ranging from $70,000 to $110,000, the impact is profound. For engineers passionate about pedagogy and community development, working at IRSC means directly cultivating the "AI workforce of the future" for Florida’s Research Coast, ensuring the local specialized ecosystem continues to thrive and grow from within.

St. Lucie County Government

The St. Lucie County Government is an increasingly important player in applied civic AI, representing a growing segment of the local tech job market. This is public-sector tech with a direct mission: leveraging algorithms to improve daily life for residents and streamline government operations.

Projects focus on implementing AI for smarter traffic management to ease congestion on local arteries, automating administrative services for greater efficiency, and using predictive data analytics for more effective public resource allocation. This work offers a unique opportunity to see your code directly affect community infrastructure and civic well-being, from smoother commutes to faster permit processing.

While salaries are typically below private-sector peaks, they are competitive for the region and come with the stability and purpose of public service, ranging from $85,000 to $130,000. For AI professionals who prioritize tangible community impact over corporate scale, it’s a chance to build a "smart county" from within, using technology for direct civic good.

BankUnited

As a major Florida-based financial institution, BankUnited is investing in AI/ML to enhance its services, representing the growth of a stable, in-state financial tech sector. The bank is actively seeking talent for roles like AI/ML Solutions Engineers, as indicated in broader market analyses for AI engineering positions in the region.

AI engineers here work on projects like personalized banking assistants, advanced credit risk modeling, and algorithmic solutions for back-office efficiency. The environment strategically combines the innovative pace of fintech with the scale and stability of an established regional bank, offering a distinct career path within Florida's financial landscape.

For professionals in Port Saint Lucie, it represents a viable and growing opportunity close to home. AI/ML Solutions Engineers can expect competitive salaries from $110,000 to $160,000, along with the benefits of hybrid work arrangements that leverage Florida's favorable tax climate. This role is for those who want to see AI become core to the strategy of a traditional industry leader, right in their own backyard.

Chewy

While its headquarters are in Plantation, Chewy’s strong remote-hybrid culture makes it a viable and exciting option for AI engineers on the Treasure Coast, connecting them to the broader Florida AI engineering job market. The e-commerce giant's operations are deeply powered by sophisticated AI, which drives its competitive edge.

Engineers work on massive datasets to build and refine industry-leading recommendation engines, sophisticated NLP-driven customer service platforms, and complex machine learning models for supply chain and logistics optimization. The work has a direct, measurable impact on the customer experience for millions of pet owners, offering a chance to solve high-scale problems in a fast-paced environment.

For the Port Saint Lucie-based engineer who excels in e-commerce ML, Chewy offers a top-tier platform and the flexibility to work from where the cost of living and quality of life align perfectly. Salaries are highly competitive, typically ranging from $150,000 to $210,000 for senior roles, making it one of the most lucrative remote-accessible opportunities in the regional ecosystem.

Carrier

Global climate giant Carrier, based in nearby Palm Beach Gardens, is deeply invested in the AI-driven future of smart buildings and efficient cooling, exemplifying how companies are innovating with AI and cloud to create sustainable infrastructure. Their AI teams work on tangible projects like predictive HVAC management, smart building automation systems, and developing digital products that make homes and businesses significantly more energy-efficient.

The technical work involves a stack centered on AWS SageMaker and Python, processing vast, continuous streams of IoT data from installed equipment worldwide. This integration of AI with physical hardware creates systems that learn and adapt to optimize energy use, reducing costs and environmental impact on a global scale.

While the impact is international, the team is local, offering a compelling path just a short commute from Port Saint Lucie. For AI engineers interested in sustainability, IoT, and tangible hardware-software integration, Carrier provides a unique niche. Salaries for leadership roles reflect this specialized focus, with positions like Associate Director of Digital Products commanding a range from $178,750 to $250,250.

Making Your Impact in Port Saint Lucie's AI Ecosystem

The surf fisherman knows that success doesn't come from casting randomly into the open ocean, but from understanding the specific structures and currents close to shore. Your AI career search in Florida operates on the same principle. A rewarding path isn't about chasing the most generic tech hub, but about finding your precise fit within Port Saint Lucie's specialized and interdependent ecosystem.

This region offers a unique confluence of missions: the life-and-death impact of healthcare AI at Cleveland Clinic, the grid-scale responsibility at NextEra Energy, the foundational community building at IRSC and the county, and convenient hybrid access to the broader fintech and e-commerce markets. With an average ML salary range competitive with larger hubs, your choice isn't necessarily the highest-ranked company, but the one whose specific technical current aligns with the impact you want your work to have.

"The real threat to Florida jobs isn’t AI - it’s ignoring it... those who embrace it earliest will capture the greatest advantages." - Dr. Edward Longe, The James Madison Institute

This strategic advantage is amplified by Florida's lasting breeze of no state income tax, making the competitive salaries here even more impactful. Whether you're drawn to saving lives, powering communities, educating the next generation, or optimizing global systems, the depth of opportunity defies the calm coastal exterior.

Dive beneath the surface, read the local signs, and find where your skills can create meaningful waves. Your perfect role is waiting in one of these hidden currents.

Frequently Asked Questions