Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Job: AI/Machine Learning Engineer II Location: Austin, TX 78744 (Onsite) Duration: Long-term Contract Job Description Position Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled AI Engineer II to design, develop, and deploy advanced Generative AI solutions within ITD. This onsite role in Austin, TX and the ideal candidate is a hands-on technologist with experience building end-to-end AI applications using LLMs, RAG architecture, Azure AI services, or AWS Bedrock. This role requires strong technical depth in AI model integration, optimization, and evaluation, as well as a commitment to building secure, cost-effective, and responsible AI systems. Key Responsibilities Develop custom Generative AI applications leveraging LLMs and modern AI frameworks. Design and implement RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipelines using vector databases, embedding models, and search solutions to improve contextual accuracy and relevance. Set up sandbox and proof-of-concept environments to experiment with new AI tools, frameworks, and services. Evaluate, benchmark, and fine-tune foundation models for performance, safety, and reliability using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Ensure secure, compliant, and responsible AI implementations, including data obfuscation, content filtering, and ethical guardrails. Monitor and optimize AI models through prompt engineering, error analysis, and continuous feedback loops. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align AI solutions with business needs and provide technical expertise on architecture and design. Contribute to the organization’s AI strategy, staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies. Required Skills & Qualifications 4–7 years of experience designing and delivering AI-driven applications. Hands-on expertise with RAG solutions, including vector databases, embedding models, scripting, and LLM integration. Strong ability to design and implement innovative AI architectures. Proven experience evaluating and benchmarking generative models for accuracy, cost, and safety. Experience with model monitoring, optimization, and fine-tuning. Knowledge of ethical AI practices, including bias detection, guardrails, and responsible deployment strategies. Preferred Skills & Qualifications 1+ year evaluating LLMs and providers, including SaaS/PaaS access models, cost optimization, and secure data interaction strategies. 1+ year designing AI architectures and services. Experience developing or maintaining AI Agents. Hands-on experience with Azure AI Foundry or AWS Bedrock. Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot integration (a plus). Candidate Requirements Must be local to Austin, TX. Must be able to work onsite, Monday–Friday Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background check upon hire.