Software Engineer | AI & Automation

Job description

 --- Who is **Trace3**? Trace3 is a leading Transformative IT Authority, providing unique technology solutions and consulting services to our clients. Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their organizations to achieve competitive advantage through a process of Integrate, Automate, Innovate. Our culture at Trace3 embodies the spirit of a startup with the advantage of a scalable business. Employees can grow their career and have fun while doing it! Trace3 is headquartered in Irvine, California. We employ more than 1,200 people all over the United States. Our major field office locations include Denver, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Los Angeles, Louisville, Texas, San Francisco. **Ready to discover the possibilities that live in technology?** **Come Join Us!** **Street-Smart** **- *Thriving in Dynamic Times*** We are flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment. We continuously innovate and drive constructive change while keeping a focus on the “big picture.” We exercise sound business judgment in making high-quality decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are highly creative and can dig deep within ourselves to find positive solutions to different problems. **Juice - *The “Stuff” it takes to be a Needle Mover*** We get things done and drive results. We lead without a title, empowering others through a can-do attitude. We look forward to the goal, mentally mapping out every checkpoint on the pathway to success, and visualizing what the final destination looks and feels like. **Teamwork - *Humble, Hungry and Smart*** We are humble individuals who understand how our job impacts the company's mission. We treat others with respect, admit mistakes, give credit where it’s due and demonstrate transparency. We “bring the weather” by exhibiting positive leadership and solution-focused thinking. We hug people in their trials, struggles, and failures – not just their success. We appreciate the individuality of the people around us. --- **JOB SUMMARY:** The Software Engineer | AI & Automation is responsible for designing, building, integrating, and deploying software solutions that use artificial intelligence to automate business processes and improve how employees work across the organization. This is a software engineering role with a specialization in AI, focused on building production applications, APIs, enterprise integrations, AI agents, copilots, and intelligent workflows. The role will initially support AI initiatives across executive leadership, Sales, Operations, Legal, IT, and other business functions. The ideal candidate is a strong software engineer with hands-on experience using modern large language models (LLMs) and AI technologies to solve real business problems. This role works across the full engineering lifecycle—from translating business requirements into technical solutions through development, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Trace3 primarily operates within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. **SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:** **Software & Application Development** - Design, develop, test, and maintain production software applications and services. - Build backend services, APIs, integrations, and reusable application components, primarily using Python. - Translate business requirements into practical and scalable technical solutions. - Develop reliable software using sound engineering practices including testing, source control, logging, error handling, authentication, and security. - Build reusable components and patterns that can support multiple applications and automation use cases. **AI Application & Agent Development** - Design and build AI-powered applications, agents, copilots, and intelligent workflows. - Integrate large language models into applications using cloud-hosted, commercial, or open-source models. - Build workflows that allow AI applications to retrieve information, call tools and APIs, and perform controlled business actions. - Develop solutions using concepts such as RAG, prompting, structured outputs, embeddings, semantic search, and tool/function calling. - Evaluate and improve AI application accuracy, reliability, performance, and cost. - Implement appropriate validation, guardrails, fallback behavior, and human oversight where needed. **Enterprise Integration & Automation** - Integrate applications with enterprise platforms such as Microsoft 365, ServiceNow, NetSuite, databases, internal systems, and third-party SaaS platforms. - Develop APIs, connectors, webhooks, and automated workflows. - Work with structured and unstructured data to support applications and AI solutions. - Identify opportunities where software, automation, and AI can reduce manual business processes. - Design integrations and services that can be reused across multiple business functions. **Cloud Engineering & Deployment** - Build and deploy applications primarily within Microsoft Azure. - Participate in application deployment, CI/CD, testing, monitoring, and release processes. - Monitor and troubleshoot production applications and integrations. - Build solutions with appropriate consideration for scalability, reliability, security, and cost. **Governance, Security & Responsible AI** - Ensure applications and AI solutions align with Trace3 security, privacy, governance, and data protection standards. - Implement appropriate controls around access to enterprise data and actions performed by AI-enabled applications. - Partner with AI leadership to evaluate risks, guardrails, and new AI capabilities before deployment. **Collaboration & Innovation** - Partner with AI leadership and business stakeholders to translate business problems into technical solutions. - Prototype and evaluate new ideas while helping successful concepts move into production. - Communicate technical concepts and tradeoffs to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders. - Contribute to shared engineering standards, reusable components, and development best practices. - Evaluate emerging AI technologies based on their practical value to the organization. **REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:** - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. - Minimum 4 years of professional software engineering or application development experience. - Strong programming skills, with Python preferred. - Experience building APIs, backend services, integrations, or business applications. - Experience integrating applications with databases, SaaS platforms, APIs, or enterprise systems. - Understanding of modern software engineering practices including testing, source control, logging, error handling, authentication, and application security. - Experience building and deploying applications within a major cloud platform; Microsoft Azure preferred. - Hands-on experience developing applications using large language models or generative AI technologies. - Understanding of LLM concepts including prompting, RAG, structured outputs, embeddings, semantic retrieval, and tool/function calling. - Experience or demonstrated knowledge building AI agents, copilots, intelligent workflows, or AI-enabled automation. - Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to translate evolving or ambiguous business requirements into practical technical solutions. - Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with technical and business teams. - Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences. - Azure OpenAI or Azure AI services. - Agentic AI and multi-step tool-calling workflows. - Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar AI integration standards. - Containers, serverless applications, and CI/CD practices. - Open-source LLMs or multi-model architectures. - Experience moving AI prototypes or proofs of concept into production applications. **PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:** - OpenAI, Anthropic, or other commercial LLM APIs. - Semantic Kernel, LangGraph, LangChain, or similar AI orchestration frameworks. - Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Graph integrations. - ServiceNow, NetSuite, or similar enterprise platforms. - Vector databases and enterprise search technologies. - AI application evaluation and observability. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ. Certain positions may also be eligible for variable incentive compensation, such as bonuses or commissions, that is not included in the base salary. Estimated Pay Range $121,000—$140,000 USD --- **The Perks** - Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents - 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match, 529 College Savings Plan, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability - Competitive Compensation - Training and development programs - Major offices stocked with snacks and beverages - Collaborative and cool culture - Work-life balance and generous paid time off **Our Commitment** At the core of Trace3's DNA is our people. We are a diverse group of talented individuals who understand the importance of teamwork and demonstrating leadership, character, and passion in all that we do. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to grow. We recognize that embracing diversity drives innovation, improves outcomes, fosters collaboration, boosts teammate satisfaction, and builds a more inclusive culture. As an equal opportunity employer, Trace3 bases all employment decisions based on individual qualifications, merit, and business requirements. We do not engage in discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Any demographic information provided is strictly voluntary, kept confidential in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations, and will not be used in employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, or mentorship programs. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview, please email [recruiting@trace3.com](mailto:recruiting@trace3.com). **\*\*\*To all recruitment agencies:** Trace3 does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Trace3 employees or any other company location. Trace3 is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.