Optical Application Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Fairbanks Morse Technology’s goal is to create secure, mission-driven, advanced, and reliable technology solutions through artificial intelligence, digital technology, smart engineering solutions, automation, and Advanced IOT Solutions.

FMT is seeking a Full-Stack AI & Mobile Application Developer to join our FM OnBoard team in a full-time, Beloit based roll

You will build and maintain two integrated products as well as any other projects that come up:

• A full-stack AI-powered AI chat bot with advanced document processing web application in Microsoft Azure Government Cloud, using React on the frontend and Python/Node.js on the backend, integrated with Azure OpenAI for large-scale document processing (text, Excel, and image-based content such as schematics, inspection photos, and scanned technical manuals). The solution will support RAG, agentic workflows with tool use, and OCR, all within a Fed-compliant Azure Gov environment.
• An offline-first cross-platform mobile application built with .NET MAUI targeting Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS from a shared codebase. The app will consume AI service APIs when online and fall back to cached content and local features when offline to support critical tasks in low-connectivity environments.

The ideal candidate has full-stack experience across modern web, AI, and mobile development, plus practical experience deploying and operating workloads in government cloud environments.

• Full-Stack AI Application Development
  • Design and build a custom full-stack AI application using React (frontend), Python and Node.js (backend), and Azure OpenAI, deployed in Azure Government Cloud.
  • Implement scalable document processing pipelines that ingest, parse, and extract insight from heterogeneous sources including text documents, Microsoft Excel workbooks, and image-based content (schematics, inspection photos, scanned manuals).
  • Design and deliver retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines over large technical document corpora — including chunking, embedding, indexing, and retrieval strategies tuned for domain-specific content.
  • Build AI agents with tool-use and function-calling capabilities that execute multi-step workflows on behalf of operators, with appropriate guardrails and human-in-the-loop controls where needed.
  • Implement image analysis and optical character recognition (OCR) workflows using Azure AI Vision, Azure Document Intelligence, or comparable services.
  • Develop and publish secure, versioned REST API endpoints that expose AI capabilities to both the web frontend and downstream mobile clients.
  • Deploy, configure, and maintain services in Azure Government Cloud in line with federal security and compliance requirements.
  • Establish prompt engineering, evaluation, and observability practices to measure and continuously improve model output quality.
• Mobile Application Development
  • Design, develop, and maintain offline-first cross-platform applications using .NET MAUI, targeting Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS from a shared codebase.
  • Integrate mobile clients with the AI application’s REST API endpoints, implementing authentication, request retry, and caching strategies suited to intermittent connectivity.
  • Optimize local storage, data synchronization, and offline workflows so applications remain fully usable in low- or zero-connectivity environments.
  • Implement secure data synchronization protocols over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.
  • Collaborate with UX/UI designers to deliver intuitive, high-performance interfaces tailored to field operators.
• Engineering Practices
  • Write clean, maintainable, and secure code across multiple languages and stacks, applying modern testing practices including unit, integration, and automated end-to-end tests.
  • Ensure application security, scalability, and reliability by following industry best practices, including secure handling of model inputs, outputs, credentials, and sensitive content.
  • Produce clear technical documentation covering architectures, APIs, deployment procedures, and prompt/agent specifications.
  • Diagnose and resolve issues promptly across the full stack — frontend, backend, AI services, and mobile client.
• Any other duties as the job requires

• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience
• 3–5 years of experience in full stack software development, including front-end and back-end design and implementation, system integration, and technical project/task management; experience with deployment and production support is a plus.
• Strong expertise in React for frontend development, with Python and Node.js for backend services.
• Demonstrated experience integrating Azure OpenAI Service, OpenAI APIs, or equivalent large language model services into production applications.
• Practical experience building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, including vector databases, embedding models, and retrieval strategies.
• Experience processing and extracting information from multiple document formats including text, Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), and images — including OCR workflows.
• Experience deploying and operating workloads in Microsoft Azure, with exposure to Azure Government Cloud and associated compliance considerations.
• Strong expertise in .NET MAUI, including shared-codebase development targeting Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
• Experience designing offline-first mobile architectures and optimizing for memory, battery efficiency, and load times.
• Proficiency with REST API design, authentication patterns (OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect), and secure data synchronization over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.
• Proficiency with additional languages as needed (e.g., C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Swift, Kotlin).
• Experience with local / synchronizing databases such as PouchDB, CouchDB, or SQLite.
• Proficiency with Git-based version control and containerization tools such as Docker.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain technical concepts to varied audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

• Hands-on experience building and operating applications within Azure Government Cloud (FedRAMP, IL4 / IL5) environments.
• Experience building AI agents with frameworks such as Microsoft Semantic Kernel, LangChain, LangGraph, or equivalent.
• Experience with Azure AI Vision, Azure Document Intelligence, and Azure AI Search for document and image processing workflows.
• Familiarity with LLM evaluation, observability, and prompt engineering best practices.
• Experience with SAML and other federated authentication frameworks for secure enterprise and federal user authentication.
• Experience with Blazor Hybrid for embedding web components into native applications.
• Experience with 2D/3D digital twin technology.
• Experience delivering in rapid, iterative development environments.
• Working Knowledge of MS Project
• Experience with SCADA or HMI software development
• Cyber Security specifically as it relates to the government (STIG, NIST, etc)
• Proficiency with reading and understanding mechanical drawings, P&ID’s, water, air, and hydraulic system drawings.
• Familiarity with implementing and deploying AI solutions
• Application development using programing languages like: Python, Javascript, C/C++, etc

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.