AI Developer

AI Developer

Onsite/Non-Remote in Maryville, TN. To be considered you must live in a commutable distance to Maryville, TN. If you live outside of a commutable distance, your willingness to relocate must be listed at the top of your resume or within a cover letter.

Scope of the job:

We are seeking an AI Developer who can design and deliver enterprise-grade conversational AI (chatbots/assistants) and agentic AI (autonomous or semi-autonomous agents that plan and execute tasks). This role will build AI solutions using a mix of low-code platforms and pro-code development (e.g., Python), integrate with internal systems (APIs, databases,.NET apps), and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) patterns for secure, grounded enterprise responses.

You will also help modernize automation by extending RPA workflows with AI capabilities (classification, extraction, decision support, conversational front-ends), and by building orchestrated agent workflows using tool-calling, MCP servers, and enterprise integration patterns.

Competencies and skills:

Hands-on development experience building AI experiences (chatbots, assistants, or agents).

Ability to deliver using low-code tools and pro-code, including Python (preferred) and REST APIs.

Good understanding of:

Conversational AI design (dialog patterns, user experience, prompts)

Agentic AI concepts (planning, tool use, autonomy boundaries, guardrails)

RAG fundamentals and implementation patterns

Experience integrating with enterprise systems: APIs, SQL, data services, authentication/authorization.

Understanding of basic software engineering disciplines: source control, testing, environments, CI/CD, reliability.

Proficiency in Python and other applicable programming languages.

Understanding of governance/compliance for enterprise AI (PII handling, audit trails, model risk practices).

Good knowledge of API handling (both SOAP and RESTful) is a plus

Strong knowledge of Error reporting techniques, exception handling procedures is a plus

Good understanding of Dev, QA and Prod environments and the ability to promote code across the landscapes is required

Experience in one or more of the following is a plus:

Power Platform / Copilot Studio

Azure AI services, OpenAI-compatible APIs, or comparable stacks

RPA platforms (UiPath / Power Automate / Blue Prism)

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Build and maintain chatbots using low-code (e.g., Copilot Studio / Power Platform / other) and/or pro-code (Python-based frameworks).

Design conversation flows: intents, entities, prompts, dialog management, fallback strategies, escalation to human support.

Implement enterprise controls: grounding, citations, safety filters, logging, and user experience patterns.

Understand and apply the difference between:

Conversational AI: primarily dialogue-driven Q&A and guided flows.

Agentic AI: goal-driven systems that plan, call tools, and complete multi-step tasks.

Build agents that can:

Call APIs and internal services

Execute business workflows

Use tools (search, data retrieval, ticketing, approvals) safely with governance controls

Integrate knowledge sources:
SharePoint, files, databases, internal wikis, ticketing systems, and line-of-business apps.

Integrate AI capabilities into internal applications (especially .NET ecosystems).

Qualifications:

0-1 year experience in delivering production ready AI agents or bots and 2+ years of general programming knowledge (Ex. .Net or Java or C#).

0-1 years of experience building agents using prompt engineering

LLM model tuning.

Professional communications skills, both verbal and written. Good team player.

Manage personal workload and work under tight time frames.

Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred.

Physical demands:

Occasional: bending, kneeling, squatting, standing, walking, reaching, overhead reaching, and fine motor skills

Work environment:

Normal office environment and office lighting

Within the Smith & Wesson manufacturing facility employees may be exposed to manufacturing noise, airborne liquid chemicals, fine particulate dust, ambient temperatures, and industrial lighting

All employees are required to apply ergonomic correctness to all job tasks