AI Engineer

Independent Bank; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Accommodating and flexible paid time o

Job summary

Independent Bank in Traverse City, MI is hiring an AI Engineer to design, deploy, and maintain generative AI capabilities that support real business needs. The role is onsite and involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure data quality, responsible AI practices, and alignment with business objectives.

You will work with OpenAI, Azure, and VAPI to develop models, run validation, and guide implementation across banking systems, while staying current with AI advancements and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in CS, AI, Data Science, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 1+ years hands-on AI/ML projects, with a focus on generative AI models.
• Certifications or coursework in AI/ML are a plus.
• Experience with OpenAI, Azure, and VAPI for model development and deployment.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, R, or JavaScript; familiarity with cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement generative AI models using OpenAI, Azure, and VAPI.
• Partner with analysts, engineers, and stakeholders to define AI use cases.
• Run rigorous testing, validation, and tuning for accuracy and performance.
• Preprocess and manage training datasets with emphasis on data quality.
• Deploy AI models to production and monitor ongoing performance.
• Troubleshoot deployment and operational issues related to AI models.
• Keep up with AI advancements and integrate relevant technologies.
• Document model design decisions, processes, and usage guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and AI governance.
• Align AI initiatives with business objectives; train internal teams.

Skills

Generative AI

AI/ML concepts

Python

SQL

R

JavaScript

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

OpenAI

Azure

VAPI

AWS

Job description

Independent Bank is looking for an AI Engineer to help build and run generative AI capabilities that support real business needs. In this onsite role in Traverse City, MI, you’ll design, deploy, and maintain models while working with a cross-functional team that values goal-driven execution, data quality, and responsible AI practices.

What you’ll work on

• Design, develop, and implement generative AI models using OpenAI, Azure, and VAPI.
• Partner with analysts, engineers, and business stakeholders to define AI use cases and integrate models into existing systems.
• Run rigorous testing, validation, and tuning to support strong accuracy and performance.
• Preprocess and manage training datasets, with focus on data quality and integrity.
• Deploy AI models to production and monitor ongoing performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve deployment and operational issues related to AI models.
• Keep up with advancements in AI and incorporate relevant technologies into the organization’s AI strategy.
• Document AI model design decisions, implementation processes, and usage guidelines.
• Ensure solutions comply with data privacy, security, and responsible AI guidelines.
• Align AI initiatives with business objectives in collaboration with management.
• Support and train internal teams on how to use and manage AI models.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Relevant certifications or coursework in AI/ML are a plus.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML projects, with a focus on generative AI models.
• 1+ years of experience with generative AI models, especially from OpenAI, Azure, and VAPI.
• Programming proficiency in SQL, Python, R, or JavaScript.
• Strong understanding of machine learning concepts, neural networks, and natural language processing.
• Experience with data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS for deploying AI models.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and optimize model performance.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and methodologies.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
• Knowledge of data privacy, security, and AI governance.

Technologies you’ll use

OpenAI, Azure, VAPI, SQL, Python, R, JavaScript, AWS

Benefits and team environment

• Competitive compensation package.
• Accommodating and flexible paid time off.
• Work with a knowledgeable, goal-driven, and exciting team of colleagues.
• Exposure to different areas of banking and the ability to work with leaders within the industry.
• Community-focused events and volunteer opportunities.