Chicago , IL
|Hybrid
|Contract
Chicago, IL
|Hybrid
|Contract
We’re looking for a Software Engineer to help take AI solutions from proof of concept to MVP and production in a secure, enterprise-ready environment. This role offers the opportunity to build scalable applications, partner with AI engineers and product teams, and shape the architecture, tooling, and deployment patterns that support real-world AI delivery.
Responsibilities
- Design and build secure, scalable AI-enabled applications ready for enterprise deployment
- Help establish engineering best practices for architecture, design patterns, performance, and security
- Build application scaffolding, APIs, shared services, environments, and deployment components
- Collaborate with AI engineers and product teams to choose the right technical approach for each solution
- Integrate AI applications with enterprise systems while meeting security, identity, and compliance standards
- Support CI/CD, testing, release management, and operational readiness for MVP and production systems
- Partner with DevOps and platform teams to ensure solutions are supportable, scalable, and maintainable
- Participate in code reviews and help strengthen the quality and reliability of production software
Skills
- Strong software engineering experience with a focus on building production-grade applications
- Hands-on experience supporting AI solutions in enterprise environments
- Practical understanding of common AI patterns such as RAG, agentic workflows, and API-based model integration
- Solid Azure experience across infrastructure, platform services, networking, identity, and security
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, environment management, and secure deployment practices
- Knowledge of modern application and data technologies such as containers, Kubernetes, FastAPI, Kafka, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cosmos DB, and Neo4j
- Strong understanding of when to apply relational, NoSQL, graph, vector, and event-driven architecture patterns
- Experience using GitHub workflows, branching strategies, pull requests, and modern AI productivity tools
- Ability to work effectively within enterprise standards and cross-functional teams
Preferred Skills
- Experience delivering across multiple enterprise projects
- Exposure to AI evaluation and observability needs
- Familiarity with tools such as GitHub Copilot and Claude Code
- Background supporting secure integration into large-scale business systems
- Experience introducing engineering best practices to teams working on AI solutions
- Comfort working in hybrid environments and collaborating closely with distributed stakeholders
Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where different perspectives and experiences are valued. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and bring their unique strengths to the team.
By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.Horizontal is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or participate in the interview process, click here to request accommodation assistance.
All applicants applying must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment.