AI Applications Developer

job summary:

Our client is looking for a AI Applications Developer for a contract to hire opportunity located in Phoenix, AZ.

location: Phoenix, Arizona job type: Contract salary: $60 - 67 per hour work hours: 8am to 5pm education: Bachelors

responsibilities:

Position Overview Local Only. This is a contract-to-hire position. All candidates must be eligible to convert to a Full-Time Employee (FTE). The employer is unable to sponsor any visas.

The Applications Developer Senior/Lead is responsible for identifying and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to decrease administrative workload and improve quality. Acting as a bridge between operational units and technology, this role collaborates with diverse teams to integrate approved AI tools and develop secure, custom solutions within a closed enterprise environment. The Applications Developer Senior/Lead translates operational processes into detailed technical specifications, determining whether to leverage existing enterprise software (e.g., Gemini, NotebookLM) or build bespoke local solutions. This role focuses heavily on technical architecture and AI development by designing, prototyping, and deploying custom AI tools from scratch. This position maintains comprehensive technical documentation of code, architecture, and system prompts.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate complex operational processes and business needs into detailed technical specifications and actionable requirements for AI implementation. Determine whether to leverage existing enterprise software or build bespoke local solutions.
• Architect, prototype, and deploy custom AI tools from scratch within a secure, closed environment. Utilize programming languages common in AI development (e.g., Python) and leverage approved enterprise AI platforms (e.g., Google Cloud/Vertex AI, Gemini ecosystems).
• Act as a bridge between operational units and technology to recommend and guide the adoption of already-approved enterprise AI tools (e.g., Gemini, NotebookLM) to solve immediate operational challenges and decrease administrative workload.
• Apply hands-on experience working with AI/LLMs, advanced prompt engineering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures to develop and refine secure, high-quality custom solutions.
• Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date technical documentation of code, architecture, system prompts, and workflows to ensure security and compliance.

qualifications:

Knowledge Required

Multiple programming languages, database management systems, development platforms, and systems integration.

Software development processes including analysis, design, coding, system and user testing, problem resolution, and planning using Agile Development Methodology.

Microsoft Responsible AI Standard: Deep understanding of Microsoft's six core AI principles: Fairness, Reliability and Safety, Privacy and Security, Inclusiveness, Transparency, and Accountability.

Azure Cloud Architecture: Understanding how compute, storage, and networking choices influence AI solution design within Azure, including familiarity with Azure AI Foundry.

Generative AI Mechanics: Comprehension of Large Language Models (LLMs), embeddings, vector databases, and how foundation models (like GPT-4o) process and generate information.

MLOps & AI Governance: Knowledge of the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) for AI, and compliance frameworks for data privacy.

Skills Required

Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, priority setting, multi-tasking, analytical, and collaboration skills.

AI/LLMs, prompt engineering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).

Utilizing approved enterprise AI platforms (e.g., Google Cloud/Vertex AI, Gemini ecosystems).

Programming & Frameworks: Proficiency in Python, SQL, and C# (.NET Framework).

Azure OpenAI Implementation: Building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, advanced prompt engineering, fine-tuning foundation models, and integrating AI agents.

Configuring Azure AI Content Safety, setting up guardrails, and using the Azure Machine Learning Responsible AI Dashboard to assess model fairness and error distributions.

Utilizing tools such as Microsoft GitHub Copilot to accelerate coding, generate documentation, and write unit tests while adhering to enterprise standards.

Abilities

Work independently to balance, prioritize, and organize multiple tasks while collaborating effectively with business stakeholders and team members.

Synthesize feedback, adjust plans accordingly, and build strong relationships inside and outside the organization.

Develop technical documentation, execute prescribed testing using established procedures/tools, and interpret/analyze test results.

Use or maintain testing frameworks, test libraries, databases, and test environments.

Evaluate AI outputs for bias, hallucinations, and security vulnerabilities, ensuring the system aligns with the Responsible AI Standard.

Effectively explain complex AI behaviors, limitations, and performance trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders.

Keep pace with the rapid evolution of Microsoft and emerging industry practices.

Requirements

Must secure and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card (or equivalent strict background clearance).

Bachelor's degree plus 10 or more years of programming and analysis experience (or equivalent experience).

Master's Degree preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.