Innovation Engineer

YHB Brand•Winchester, VA

About The Position

This role focuses on identifying and prototyping AI-augmented solutions to enhance existing automations, coordinating with external developers and internal partners for delivery quality, and reverse engineering existing automations supported by external vendors. The Innovation Engineer will design and implement system integrations and automations across various platforms using APIs, middleware, automation platforms, and low-code tools. They will translate business process needs into practical automation solutions, develop middleware to improve user experience while preserving data integrity, and ensure automation reliability through proper logging, monitoring, and documentation. The role also involves partnering with IT Security for data quality and readiness, ensuring alignment with firm security and IT standards, and collaborating with Infrastructure and Security teams. Maintaining documentation, knowledge transfer, reducing single-vendor dependency, and protecting firm intellectual property are also key aspects. This position will build trusted partnerships with Principals, Directors, and Practice Leads, bridging business and technology by communicating complex technical ideas in clear business terms, defining priorities, and driving the adoption of automation and AI solutions across the firm.

Requirements

5+ years business systems, automation, systems integration, or solution delivery roles.
Proven experience implementing systems integrations and automations using APIs, integration platforms, low-code tools, and/or pragmatic custom logic.
Experience working directly with business stakeholders.
Ability to independently own full lifecycle: discovery → build → deploy → support.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Impeccable written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience within public accounting, tax, or professional services firms.
Familiarity with accounting firm applications (CCH, Thomson Reuters, SafeSend, Inflo, Karbon, HubSpot).
ERP integration experience (NetSuite preferred).
Exposure to low-code/RPA and AI assisted development or automation tools alongside traditional development.
Experience internalizing vendor-built solutions.
Ability to combine technical knowledge with business judgment.
Strong critical thinking and systems-level problem solving.
Comfortable working in ambiguity and resolving complex processes.
Ownership mindset and proactive approach.
Pragmatic and outcome-oriented.

Responsibilities

Identify and prototype AI-augmented solutions that enhance or extend existing automations.
Coordinate with external developers and internal partners to ensure delivery quality and alignment with business needs.
Reverse engineer and internalize existing automations currently supported by external vendors.
Design and implement system integrations and automations across accounting, ERP, CRM, and workflow platforms using APIs, middleware, automation platforms, and low-code tools where appropriate.
Translate real-world business process needs into practical automation solutions, using a mix of configuration, integration tooling, and pragmatic custom logic when needed.
Develop middleware where appropriate to improve user experience while preserving ERP data integrity.
Ensure automation reliability, logging, monitoring, and documentation standards.
Partner with IT Security team to ensure data quality and readiness for automation and AI applications.
Ensure all automation aligns with firm security and IT standards.
Collaborate with Infrastructure and Security teams.
Maintain documentation and knowledge transfer.
Reduce single-vendor dependency and protect firm intellectual property.
Build deep, trusted partnerships with Principals, Directors, and Practice Leads.
Bridge business and technology by communicating complex technical ideas in clear business terms.
Collaborate to define priorities.
Drive adoption of automation and AI solutions across the firm.