Software Development Engineer - AI and Automation

About this task

About the Role

Build applied AI and platform solutions that transform manual, repetitive operational processes into reliable automated and agent-driven systems. Identify automation opportunities, develop AI agents and orchestration workflows, and turn successful prototypes into secure, observable, production-ready services. Work across Azure, .NET, C#, Python, React, SQL, and modern AI technologies while partnering directly with end users and cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

- Identify high-friction operational workflows, quantify current-state costs, and design automated or agent-driven solutions that improve efficiency, reduce errors, and increase throughput.
- Build AI agents and intelligent workflows using Azure AI Foundry, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Agent Framework, MCP, and related frameworks.
- Design multi-step tool use, orchestration, and human-in-the-loop workflows for agentic applications.
- Replatform prototypes and proofs of concept into secure, scalable, observable, and supportable production services.
- Design and develop RESTful APIs, tool/function endpoints, and backend services using Azure App Services.
- Apply prompt engineering, grounding, retrieval, Azure AI Search, and evaluation practices to improve AI system quality and reliability.
- Build evaluation and quality infrastructure for AI systems, including offline evaluation sets, CI regression gates, drift detection, and release criteria.
- Develop observability for AI and agentic systems, including quality, cost, latency, tool-call outcomes, and rollback capabilities.
- Build integrations between internal and external systems while maintaining appropriate human review, approval, and intervention points.
- Implement secure authentication and authorization using Entra ID, including workload identity, least-privilege access, and delegated permissions.
- Support privacy, security, accessibility, responsible AI, and compliance assessments for AI-powered solutions.
- Use Azure DevOps for source control, CI/CD, automated testing, release management, and work tracking.
- Partner with engineers, program managers, stakeholders, and end users to understand operational processes and translate them into effective technical solutions.
- Participate in code reviews, unit testing, Agile ceremonies, troubleshooting, and debugging across distributed and AI-dependent systems.
- Evaluate emerging AI and agent technologies and provide practical recommendations for their application.
- Document workflow architectures, agent behavior and boundaries, integration contracts, and system designs.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 3+ years of professional software development experience, with a focus on cloud-based applications.
- Strong proficiency with .NET, C#, Python, and SQL for backend development.
- Hands-on experience building with LLMs and AI services, including prompt engineering.
- Experience taking at least one AI-powered feature, agent, or automation into production or near-production, with the ability to discuss its technical implementation in depth.
- Demonstrated experience automating real-world workflows through process automation, orchestration, integrations, or agentic tooling.
- Strong knowledge of Azure App Services, Azure SQL, Logic Apps, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and Azure AI Search.
- Experience using Azure DevOps for version control, build automation, release management, and project tracking.
- Experience designing secure applications using Entra ID for authentication and authorization.
- Strong understanding of SQL database design, optimization, and querying.
- Strong problem-solving, debugging, and troubleshooting abilities across code, data, configuration, and AI/model behavior.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to work directly with end users, gather requirements, provide technical guidance, and iterate based on feedback.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience with the client's organization and familiarity with its development practices, technologies, and internal systems.
- Experience with agent frameworks and orchestration, such as Microsoft Agent Framework, Semantic Kernel, LangGraph, or MCP.
- Experience with tool design and multi-agent coordination.
- Experience developing LLM evaluation harnesses, including offline evaluation sets, LLM-as-judge approaches, and automated quality gates.
- Demonstrated ability to turn an internal prototype, hack, or proof of concept into a supported production service.
- Experience replacing legacy manual processes through automation, particularly in complex organizational workflows.
- Front-end development experience with React.
- Experience with large-scale distributed systems and multiple integration points.
- Familiarity with responsible AI practices and enterprise compliance review processes.

Compensation

- For candidates based in Washington State, the anticipated compensation range is $105000 - $115000 USD annually.
- Compensation depends on skills, education, responsibilities, experience, geographic market, and internal equity. New employees are typically not hired at the top of the posted range.
- Final compensation and job title may vary depending on the selected candidate's qualifications.

Location and Schedule

- Remote, working EST hours; ideally based in the Charlotte, NC area.

Benefits

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Competitive paid time off.
- Parental leave.
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- Benefits and eligibility may vary based on role, employment status, and location.