AI Engineer
DataStaff, Inc. is seeking an AI Engineer for a long-term contract opportunity with one of our direct clients in Hartford, CT.
*This position is remote; however, the selected candidate will work in the Eastern Time Zone.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will work primarily in Python within modern web frameworks (such as FastAPI), deploy and maintain services on Microsoft Azure (App Service, Storage, Key Vault, and related services), and use Git-based source control and pull-request workflows. This is a hands-on, applied technical role.
The role operates within an AI-assisted software development environment, in which modern coding assistants are used as a primary day-to-day tool for writing, reviewing, and debugging code. The analyst is expected to be effective in this style of AI-assisted software development — directing the tools, validating their output, and shipping reliable production code.
In addition to working on developing AI solutions for the Department, the candidate will work in close collaboration with the Connecticut AI Lab, a centralized team within DAS that supports the design, development, and deployment of AI-enabled tools across state agencies. The AI Lab provides architectural guidance, shared infrastructure, and engineering support for the applications this role helps maintain and extend.
Responsibilities:
- Maintains, enhances, and extends existing applications and supporting services.
- Analyzes requirements and participates in project planning sessions with customers, analysts, and team members to provide design recommendations for routine to moderately complex systems.
- Prepares source code; debugs and corrects errors; maintains the integrity of software.
- Configures, deploys, and monitors applications and supporting services in cloud environments.
- Designs and develops routine to moderately complex applications, including data flows, screens, forms, and reports.
- Provides technical consultation on routine to moderately complex issues regarding the usage of the infrastructure and integration of application systems into the infrastructure.
- Documents system processes, workflows, and technical procedures.
- Participates in the evaluation of new and related technologies.
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skill and Ability:
- Knowledge of principles and techniques of systems analysis, design, development, and programming.
- Knowledge of modern programming languages, with emphasis on Python and related web application frameworks.
- Knowledge of cloud computing principles and services, with emphasis on Microsoft Azure.
- Knowledge of source control practices, including Git and pull-request-based collaboration.
- Knowledge of modern AI-assisted software development workflows and tools.
- Ability to compare and select AI models (for example, A/B testing two models on a task)
- Interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of secure development practices and appropriate handling of confidential or regulated data, including security considerations specific to AI applications.
- Ability to take a user request from intake through deployment to production with appropriate guidance.
Required Skills:
- 3 Years - Python development in a Web environment that handles application logic and web APIs
- 2 Years - Experience building applications powered by large language models (LLMs) such as Google Gemini, Anthropic Claud, or OpenAI GPT
- 2 Years - Professional experience related to comparing & selecting AI models (for example, A/B testing two models on a task)
- EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATION skills - both oral and written are REQUIRED
Desired Skills:
- 2 Years - Experience deploying applications and supporting services in cloud environments
- 2 Years - Deployed and maintained services on Microsoft Azure (App Service, Storage, Key Vault and related services)
- 2 Years - Experience using Git-based source control and pull-request workflows
- 1 Year - Previous experience working directly with a state government agency in AI development
This position is available on a corp-to-corp basis or as a W2 position with a competitive benefits package. DataStaff, Inc. offers medical, dental, and vision coverage options as well as paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave. As many of our positions are long-term, we also have a 401k program available for employees after 6 months.