Junior Python Developer Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA (NOW HIRING)

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 7000+ employees on all continents. Our leading AI technology is the backbone of our award-winning enterprise software solutions, enabling our customers to be their best when it really matters-at the Moment of Service. Our commitment to internal AI adoption has allowed us to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring our colleagues can unlock their creativity and productivity, and our solutions are always cutting-edge.

At IFS, we're flexible, we're innovative, and we're focused not only on how we can engage with our customers but on how we can make a real change and have a worldwide impact. We help solve some of society's greatest challenges, fostering a better future through our agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and understand our responsibility to reflect the diverse world we work in. We are committed to promoting an inclusive workforce that fully represents the many different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our customers, our partners, and our communities. As a truly international company serving people from around the globe, we realize that our success is tantamount to the respect we have for those different points of view.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment; you will be joining a winning team with a commitment to sustainability; and a company where we get things done so that you can make a positive impact on the world.

We're looking for innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment so that we can help others make theirs. With the power of our AI-driven solutions, we empower our team to change the status quo and make a real difference.

If you want to change the status quo, we'll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

As a Software Engineer, AI/ML, you will design, build, and optimize the backend systems that power intelligent agent workflows. You will work across data pipelines, APIs, and AI/ML frameworks to create reliable, scalable, and production-ready solutions. This role emphasizes strong software engineering fundamentals, with the added dimension of applying AI/ML concepts to real-world enterprise applications.

What You'll Do:

• Backend & Systems Engineering
• Build and maintain Python-based services, integrations, and data pipelines that support AI agent functionality.
• Develop reusable libraries, APIs, and frameworks to accelerate AI-driven product capabilities.
• Ensure code quality, maintainability, and scalability through testing, CI/CD, and performance monitoring.
• Applied AI/ML Engineering
• Implement and optimize workflows leveraging LLMs, embeddings, RAG systems, and vector databases.
• Integrate AI/ML libraries and external APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain, Pinecone, Weaviate).
• Experiment with prompt engineering and fine-tuning to improve reliability and performance of deployed agents.
• Collaboration & Delivery
• Partner with product and core engineering teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Contribute to architecture decisions and internal technical documentation.
• Support the deployment of agents into enterprise environments with a focus on stability, accuracy, and scale.

• 2-5 years of professional experience as a Python Engineer / Backend Engineer (experience with AI/ML is a strong plus).
• Strong proficiency in Python and familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript for integrations.
• Hands-on knowledge of AI/ML frameworks and tools (OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain, vector DBs, RAG).
• Understanding of system integration patterns and comfort working with RESTful APIs, JSON, and data pipelines
• Experience with enterprise systems (CRM, ERP, Helpdesk, Developer platforms, HR/Finance systems) is a plus.
• Strong debugging, testing, and optimization skills.
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.

What Success Looks Like in 3-6 Months

• Technical Depth: You'll be proficient in the internal platform, building integrations and Python services with confidence.
• AI/ML Impact: You'll have delivered backend components that integrate AI/ML capabilities into enterprise workflows.
• Engineering Excellence: You'll contribute to reusable libraries, deployment pipelines, and system reliability practices.
• Team Contribution: You'll collaborate effectively with other engineers and product teams, influencing technical direction.

What We're Offering

• Salary Range:  $110,000 to $120,000 plus bonus potential
• Flexible paid time off, including sick and holiday
•  Medical, dental, & vision insurance
•  401K with Company contribution
•  Flexible spending accounts
•  Life insurance and disability benefits
•  Tuition assistance
•  Community involvement and volunteering events

M/F/Disabled/Vet VEVRAA Federal Contractor.  We are a Drug-Free Workplace. Interested candidates should apply at: www.ifs.com/about/careers-at-ifs

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer