Software Engineer - AI

NBT Bank•Rochester, NY

22h•$73,600 - $98,141

About The Position

The Software Engineer – AI designs, develops, tests, deploys, and supports secure, scalable technology solutions that address business needs and improve customer and employee experiences. The role combines software engineering with emerging technology to build generative AI applications, intelligent agents, retrieval-augmented generation solutions, document intelligence capabilities, predictive models, APIs, integrations, and workflow automation. The engineer works across the full solution lifecycle—from requirements and architecture through deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement—while applying responsible AI, data protection, security, model risk management, and human-review controls appropriate for a regulated financial institution. The role supports NBT’s Enterprise Technology strategy, which includes AI-enabled platforms such as Azure AI services, Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Fabric, Freshservice and other approved enterprise platforms.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, mathematics, information systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent education and experience.
Minimum of two years of professional software development experience.
Experience developing applications or services using Python, C#/.NET, JavaScript or TypeScript, Node.js, REST APIs, and modern web frameworks.
Experience with AI, machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, or intelligent automation through professional work, applied projects, or formal education.
Strong software engineering fundamentals, including modular design, source control, automated testing, code review, secure coding, API development, and continuous integration and deployment.
Ability to design and build secure, maintainable AI-enabled applications, intelligent agents, integrations, and automation solutions.
Understanding of generative AI concepts, including large and small language models, prompting, grounding, retrieval-augmented generation, model selection, context management, and agent orchestration.
Ability to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy, relevance, bias, security, privacy, explainability, reliability, and fitness for the intended use.
Familiarity with MLOps and GenAIOps practices, including versioning, deployment automation, evaluation, observability, performance monitoring, model or prompt changes, and lifecycle management.
Understanding of responsible AI, data governance, model risk, human-in-the-loop controls, and secure handling of confidential or regulated information.
Familiarity with Microsoft development tools, Azure DevOps or GitHub, repositories, agile delivery methods, infrastructure as code, and cloud-native solution patterns.
Ability to collaborate with business partners, data engineers, cloud engineers, information security, enterprise risk, compliance, architecture, and other software developers to define and prioritize requirements.
Knowledge of banking processes or a demonstrated ability to learn business processes, regulatory requirements, and related data.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to explain AI capabilities, limitations, risks, and technical design decisions to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple initiatives, document solutions thoroughly, and adapt as AI technologies and standards evolve.
Communicate effectively with internal an/or external customers
Stationary 75% of time or greater
Move Objects to Maximum 10 lbs
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SQL, relational databases, APIs, structured and unstructured data, and modern data platforms preferred.
Experience with Azure AI services, Microsoft Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Azure Machine Learning, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Fabric, or comparable cloud AI platforms preferred.
Experience with prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, vector search, AI agents, model evaluation, or model lifecycle management preferred.
Experience working in a regulated industry, particularly financial services, preferred.
Relevant Microsoft Azure, AI, software development, data, or DevOps certifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, test, and maintain secure, modular, and reusable technology-enabled applications. Solutions may include generative AI applications, retrieval-augmented generation, intelligent agents, document intelligence, predictive models, knowledge search, conversational interfaces, APIs, and workflow automation.
Develop integrations that securely connect solutions with approved enterprise applications, APIs, data platforms, document repositories, and workflow tools. Prepare and transform structured and unstructured data for grounding, retrieval, analytics, and model consumption while following data governance and access-control requirements.
Create and execute unit, integration, functional, security, performance, and AI-specific evaluations, where applicable. Measure accuracy, relevance, groundedness, reliability, bias, latency, and cost. Implement guardrails, human-review controls, auditability, and validation appropriate to each use case.
Build and maintain CI/CD, MLOps, and GenAIOps processes for approved solutions. Monitor solution health, usage, performance, quality, token or cloud consumption, security events, model or prompt changes, and production issues.
Partner with business and technical stakeholders to identify suitable use cases, document requirements, assess build-versus-buy options, develop solution designs, estimate value and risk, and coordinate delivery through the Solutions Development Lifecycle.
Manage and organize small- to mid-sized projects involving emerging technology. Establish project scope, milestones, responsibilities, dependencies, and stakeholder engagement; maintain prioritized backlogs and delivery plans; track expected and realized return on investment, costs, benefits, adoption, and other success measures; identify and escalate risks or decisions; and provide clear updates and recommendations that maintain alignment with executive priorities and organizational strategy. Assist with reviewing, managing and prioritizing enterprise use cases.
Evaluate emerging technologies and patterns through controlled proofs of concept. Maintain architecture diagrams, technical documentation, test evidence, operational procedures, model or prompt records, and support materials. Present work through code reviews, design reviews, demonstrations, and project updates.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off: At least 22 days annually, prorated in the year of hire.
Parental Leave: Six weeks of paid leave at 100% of your salary.
Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Includes employer contributions to HSA for High Deductible Health Plan participants.
Dental and Vision Coverage: Ensuring your overall health and well-being.
Flexible Spending Accounts: For healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Employer-Paid Disability Coverage: Both short-term and long-term, with an option to purchase additional long-term coverage.
Life Insurance: Employer-paid basic life insurance, with an option to purchase supplemental coverage.
Voluntary Benefits: Including hospital, accident, and critical illness coverage.
Retirement Plans: Benefit from a 401(k) plan with employer matching, an optional Roth 401(k), and a pension plan to help secure your future.
Adoption Assistance: Supporting your growing family.
Tuition Reimbursement: Invest in your education and career growth.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to support and resources.
Pet Insurance: For all your furry friends.
Financial and Banking Services: Various banking services benefits and financial planning assistance.
Medical Coverage: Includes employer contributions to HSA for High Deductible Health Plan participants.
Dental and Vision Coverage: Ensuring your overall health and well-being.
Voluntary Benefits: Including hospital, accident, and critical illness coverage.
Generous Parental Leave: Six weeks of paid leave at 100% of your salary.
Retirement Plans: Benefit from a 401(k) plan with employer matching, an optional Roth 401(k), and a pension plan for employees who work at least 1,000 hours in a calendar year, all designed to help secure your future
Paid Sick and Safe Leave: For your health and safety.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to support and resources.
Financial and Banking Services: Various banking services benefits and financial planning assistance.