Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Consultant for Texas DIR, Austin, Tx

About the role

The consultant will provide expertise in modern software engineering, cloud-native architecture, AI-enabled development, automation, security, and agency mission delivery. They will help transform ambiguous problems into practical, AI-enabled workflows, translating emerging capabilities into practical delivery patterns, and coaching internal teams on adopting these capabilities responsibly.

Responsibilities

• Develop rapid prototypes, pilots, and production systems using modern engineering patterns.
• Integrate systems across agencies using secure, scalable, human-in-the-loop workflows.
• Implement DevSecOps automation (CI/CD, IaC, container orchestration, cloud pipelines).
• Collaborate directly with agency stakeholders to gather requirements and convert them into working software.
• Deploy AI-enabled development workflows and LLM-assisted capabilities.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and lead root-cause analysis.
• Mentor agency developers, maturing internal capability and reducing vendor reliance.
• Provide documentation, architectural guidance, and knowledge transfer.
• Rapidly build AI-powered tools using existing systems, and create new applications where needed, to move from experimentation to real impact.

Requirements

• 8 years, Required - Hands-on software engineering experience.
• 8 years, Required - Expertise in modern cloud platforms.
• 8 years, Required - Strong proficiency in: TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, or C#; Modern UI frameworks (React, Angular, Web Components).
• 8 years, Required - Experience with integrating APIs (LLMs, internal services, data platforms).
• 8 years, Required - Experience with CI/CD platforms using GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, or equivalent including building and deploying applications.
• 8 years, Required - Experience with infrastructure as code and automating environments (e.g., Terraform, ARM/Bicep, or similar tools).
• 8 years, Required - Experience working directly with customers or frontline operational teams to build and improve solutions.
• 8 years, Required - Extend tools like Salesforce, Appian, ServiceNow, etc. Demonstrated success delivering systems end-to-end from design → deploy.
• 8 years, Required - Understanding of security frameworks (NIST, Zero Trust, TX-RAMP expectations).
• 8 years, Required - Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• 8 years, Required - Ability to decide when NOT to use low-code.
• 8 years, Required - Ability to identify high-value use cases and ability to observe workflows.
• 8 years, Required - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field OR Equivalent experience (10+ years) in hands-on modern engineering roles.

Preferred Skills

• 8 years, Preferred - Experience in state government, regulated environments, or multi-agency integration projects.
• 8 years, Preferred - Prior FDE or technical field engineering experience at a software platform company.
• 8 years, Preferred - Experience designing, evaluating, or implementing AI-enabled workflows using commercial, open-source, or government-approved LLM platforms, including patterns such as retrieval-augmented generation, agentic workflows, model evaluation...
• 8 years, Preferred - Prompt management, human-in-the-loop review, and responsible AI controls. Experience with shared technical services or modernization programs (e.g., TSS/MSI) .
• 8 years, Preferred - Experience producing reusable components, design systems, developer tooling.
• 8 years, Preferred - Ability to compare AI/LLM options using objective criteria such as data sensitivity, hosting model, latency, cost, accuracy, explainability, auditability, security controls, integration complexity, and operational sustainability.
• 8 years, Preferred - CISSP, CCSP, or CISM
• 8 years, Preferred - Kubernetes certifications (CKA/CKAD)
• 8 years, Preferred - TOGAF or architecture certifications
• 8 years, Preferred - Scrum Master or SAFe Agile certs
• 6 years, Preferred - TX-RAMP knowledge or auditor training
• 1 years, Preferred - Cloud architecture, DevOps, AI, security, or Kubernetes certifications from one or more major providers, such as Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Kubernetes, HashiCorp, ISC2, ISACA, or equivalent.
• FDE bridges gaps between product teams, security, business units, and cloud engineering
• FDE should apply platform-agnostic engineering practices and evaluate AI/LLM capabilities based on business need, security requirements, data classification, interoperability, sustainability, and total cost of ownership rather than defaulting to a single cloud, model, or vendor ecosystem.
• Provides FDE methodology and best practices to DIR staff for knowledge transfer sessions and skill growth. Supports IT and other AI initiative at DIR.