AI Engineer

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking an AI Engineer on 100% on-site basis at its Ithaca campus. The role designs, builds, and deploys production-grade AI solutions using Generative AI, LLMs, and cloud-native tech.

You will collaborate with project managers, faculty, and IT teams to deliver scalable, secure AI capabilities. Required are 3–5+ years of software engineering, cloud experience (AWS/Azure/GCP), and strong Python/Node.js skills, with a focus on reliability and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Design, build, test, and deploy Agentic AI applications.
• Cloud-native applications (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience with enterprise identity integrations (OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, JWT, LDAP, Microsoft Identity).
• Strong Python, Node.js, or equivalent language skills for AI apps.
• Strong debugging, problem-solving, and performance optimization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work inclusively with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI solutions across the university ecosystem.
• Build reusable AI capabilities and integrate services with enterprise systems.
• Participate in full software development lifecycle and production operations.
• Collaborate with project managers, architects, developers, and IT teams.

Skills

3–5+ years software engineering

Agentic AI design

Python/Node.js

Debugging/optimiz.

Excellent communication

Inclusive collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/SE/IT or related field

Master’s degree in CS/Data AI preferred

Tools

AWS/Azure/GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

Vector databases / embedding pipelines

OIDC/SAML/JWT/LDAP identity integrations

Job description

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

This position is 100% on-site and located on the Cornell University Campus in Ithaca, New York.

This is a 2 year temporary with benefits appointment which may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

About Information Technology at Cornell

Information Technology (IT) is a strategic enabler for many functions at Cornell University, with staff located across colleges, administrative units, and campuses throughout the institution. While comprised of many organizations, IT operates as one partnering closely with faculty, staff, and students to support teaching, research, and business operations. By being embedded where the Cornell community is, IT is well positioned to provide support ranging from day‑to‑day needs to large, complex initiatives that advance major academic, research, and operational objectives across the university. Check out this link to find out more about IT@Cornell

What will you do:

The AI Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying production‑grade AI solutions that support administrative, academic, and research needs across the university. This role builds and maintains secure, scalable, and high‑performing AI applications—primarily leveraging Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and cloud‑native technologies. The AI Engineer collaborates with project managers, business analysts, architects, developers, faculty, and IT teams to deliver innovative solutions aligned with institutional strategy and technology standards.

The position contributes to building reusable AI capabilities, integrating AI services with enterprise systems, ensuring strong security and identity controls, and implementing engineering best practices. The AI Engineer participates in the full software development lifecycle, supports production operations, and provides technical expertise to improve reliability, performance, and user experience.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

What We Need

• A resume is required for further consideration for this position. A cover letter outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are strongly encouraged for consideration. When applying through our system, please remember to attach your application materials (Cover Letter and Resume) in PDF format.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information technology, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Demonstrated ability to design, build, test, and deploy Agentic AI applications.
• Experience developing cloud‑native applications (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience integrating applications with enterprise identity systems using protocols such as OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML, JWT, LDAP, and Microsoft Identity.
• Strong experience with Python, Node.js, or comparable languages for AI application development.
• Strong debugging, problem‑solving, and performance‑optimization skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in computer science, data science, AI/ML, or a related field.
• Experience delivering or supporting Generative AI / LLM‑backed applications in production environments.
• Experience with vector databases, embedding pipelines, model orchestration frameworks, or agent frameworks.
• Familiarity with DevOps/MLOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, observability, monitoring, and reliability engineering.
• Experience with containerization/orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, ECS).
• Knowledge of responsible AI principles, model governance, data privacy, and AI risk management.
• Experience working in higher education, research computing, or similarly complex environments.

Application Information:

• No Visa Sponsorship of any kind is available for this position.
• No Relocation assistance will be provided for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is 100% on-premise and located on the Cornell University Campus in Ithaca, New York.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.