Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Job Title: Software Architect – Consultant (Artificial Intelligence) Location: Fully Remote; occasional onsite visits to Columbia, SCCandidate Location: Candidate must currently reside in South Carolina. No relocation allowed.Contract Duration: 12 monthsInterview Process: One virtual interviewPosition Overview: The consultant will provide technical expertise in evaluating, designing, and responsibly implementing AI solutions. The role will contribute to secure AI architectures, reusable technical patterns, prototypes, feasibility assessments, vendor evaluations, and statewide AI use-case approval processes.Key ResponsibilitiesSupport the development and implementation of statewide AI strategies.Evaluate AI products, platforms, models, tools, services, use cases, and vendors.Establish proof-of-concept success criteria and assess AI solutions against those criteria.Design and implement AI agents and retrieval-augmented generation solutions.Develop secure, reusable AI architectures and technical implementation patterns.Conduct AI prototyping and feasibility assessments.Support standardized AI governance, review, validation, and approval processes.Assist state agencies in identifying AI opportunities, risks, operational requirements, and responsible implementation approaches.Develop dashboards and reports covering AI adoption, cost, risk, performance, and operational outcomes.Support AI solutions that align with statewide security, privacy, governance, and compliance requirements.Required QualificationsUndergraduate degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.1+ year of experience establishing proof-of-concept success criteria and evaluating AI solutions against defined criteria.2+ years of hands-on experience with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and comparable generative AI platforms.2+ years of experience designing and implementing AI agents and retrieval-augmented generation solutions.1+ year of experience using AI-assisted coding tools for development, testing, debugging, and documentation.1+ year of experience defining AI use-case success criteria, KPIs, and production-monitoring measures.1+ year of experience developing dashboards and reports for AI adoption, performance, cost, risk, and operational outcomes.1+ year of hands-on experience integrating AI capabilities with Microsoft Azure and AWS.Preferred QualificationsAdvanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.Experience with multiple programming languages and software-development principles.Understanding of artificial neural networks, transformers, natural language processing, image classification, and time-series data.Experience with tools and techniques for storing, retrieving, cleaning, and preparing data.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Advanced report-writing and public-speaking abilities.Experience supporting complex technology projects.