Ai Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Akira Technologies is seeking an experienced AI Software Engineer to help design, develop, and deploy scalable software applications incorporating emerging artificial intelligence technologies.

The AI Software Engineer designs, develops, and deploys scalable, production-ready software applications that incorporate artificial intelligence and automation technologies. The role requires strong software engineering fundamentals combined with hands-on experience integrating AI services and APIs—including OpenAI—into secure, cloud-native applications and operational workflows.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who can rapidly prototype AI-enabled solutions, turn successful prototypes into reliable production applications, and work across the full software development lifecycle. 

This position is fully remote, with occasional onsite meetings in Rock Island, Illinois, and requires an active Secret security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy scalable applications using Go, Python, and other modern programming languages.
• Integrate AI-driven capabilities and commercial AI platforms/APIs, including OpenAI, into production applications and workflows.
• Develop prompt engineering strategies, AI automation workflows, and intelligent application features.
• Rapidly prototype, evaluate, and iterate on emerging AI technologies and concepts to deliver minimum viable products (MVPs).
• Develop solutions that can scale from prototype to secure, reliable, production-ready applications.
• Build and integrate APIs, microservices, databases, and external services to support AI-enabled applications.
• Apply cloud-native development practices, containerization, and orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and DevOps practices.
• Optimize applications for performance, scalability, reliability, security, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with engineers, technical leads, customers, and stakeholders to define and implement technical solutions.
• Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews and contribute to engineering standards and process improvements.
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies, development frameworks, APIs, and industry best practices.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong proficiency in Go and Python, plus at least one additional modern programming language such as Java, C#, or Rust.
• Hands-on experience developing and deploying AI-enabled applications, including experience integrating OpenAI or similar commercial AI platforms/APIs.
• Experience with prompt engineering, AI automation, and workflow development.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and automation platforms such as Power Automate, IBM UFT, or similar technologies.
• Strong understanding of cloud-native application development, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Hands-on experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with distributed systems and microservices architectures.
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Active Secret security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or Ansible.
• Experience implementing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions and working with vector databases or embedding technologies.
• Familiarity with MLOps and AI operations, including monitoring, evaluation, deployment, and maintenance of AI-enabled applications.
• Experience developing secure applications in federal, defense, or other highly regulated environments.
• Familiarity with secure coding practices, application security, and cybersecurity principles.
• Experience taking AI prototypes from proof of concept through production deployment.
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Developer, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, or Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer.

Salary Range:  $150,000 to $175,000

Akira’s pay range for this position considers various factors including skills, years of experience, training, licenses, certifications, alignment with market data, and internal equity in the organization. This pay range estimate is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary, which Akira believes to be done in good faith in compliance with local laws.  The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

General Description of Benefits

Akira offers its employees multiple options for medical plans (some with Health Savings Account), dental plans, and vision coverage, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.  To promote work/life balance, Akira offers paid time off, including vacation and sick time, holidays, paid parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty leave.  We also offer short and long-term disability benefits to protect employee income in the event of sickness or injury, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and critical illness insurance.  Akira also offers tuition, training, and certification reimbursement for professional development and career advancement.

Akira regularly reviews our total rewards package to ensure our offerings remain competitive and reflect the values and needs expressed by our employees.

About Akira Technologies

Akira strives to meet and exceed the mission and objectives of US federal agencies. As a leading small business cloud modernization and data analytics services provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated solutions and technologies that serve the needs of our customers and citizens. Akira serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, cyber, defense, civilian, and health markets. Every day, our employees deliver transformational outcomes, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

Akira is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.