Engineer - Application

Vallen • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

Vallen Distribution is building a governed, production-grade AI capability on an Azure-first, Databricks-centered architecture. This is a hands-on builder position with broad ownership across the AI layer. The AI Platform Engineer will own the Databricks AI/ML platform layer, drive enterprise AI governance, review and remediate shadow AI solutions, and directly deliver automation use cases with business teams. You will be the internal AI expert for the organization — the first call for departments exploring automation and the technical authority on what gets built, how, and where data flows. This is a greenfield opportunity with real scope and visibility. You'll work directly with the SVP of Data & Technology Innovation and have immediate impact on a program that is active and growing today.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of hands-on experience in AI/ML engineering, data engineering, or a closely related technical role
• Hands-on experience with Databricks — MLflow, notebooks, Unity Catalog, and Python/SQL workflows; or equivalent lakehouse platform experience with demonstrated ability to ramp quickly
• Practical experience building with LLMs: prompt engineering, RAG pipelines, or API integration— production or project-level experience counts
• Strong Python skills; ability to own full solution delivery from prototype to production
• Solid grounding in Azure: Azure OpenAI, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Key Vault, and core networking/security concepts
• Demonstrated ability to work across technical and non-technical stakeholders — you can explain what you're building and why it matters
• Experience reviewing or documenting AI/ML solutions for risk, data sensitivity, or governance considerations

Nice To Haves

• Experience in distribution, supply chain, or industrial B2B environments
• Familiarity with agentic frameworks: Databricks AI Agent Framework, LangChain, AutoGen
• Exposure to enterprise AI governance concepts: acceptable use policies, data classification tiers, model risk review
• Experience with Azure DevOps (ADO), CI/CD pipelines)
• Familiarity with Power BI, Databricks Genie, or other BI/AI consumption layers
• Working knowledge of MDM, ERP data structures, or multi-system data environments

Responsibilities

• Own the Databricks AI/ML platform layer
• Drive enterprise AI governance
• Review and remediate shadow AI solutions
• Directly deliver automation use cases with business teams
• Serve as the internal AI expert for the organization
• Be the first call for departments exploring automation
• Act as the technical authority on what gets built, how, and where data flows

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed