AI/ML Back-end Engineer

Ochsner Health System; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, LA seeks an AI/ML Back-end Engineer to design, build, and maintain server-side components for conversational AI and automation apps, including APIs and EHR integrations, with a focus on security, scalability, and reliability. The role requires 5+ years of backend experience with Python/FastAPI and async frameworks, RESTful APIs, and cloud/container deployments.

This on-site role requires collaboration with product, QA, and design teams to translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of professional back-end/server-side software development experience, including building and consuming RESTful APIs with Python/FastAPI and async frameworks.
• Preferred - AWS experience; modern deployment practices (containers, CI/CD); experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases; HIPAA-regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Designs, builds, and maintains server-side services, APIs, and system architecture for AI-enabled applications.
• Develops and documents REST APIs and integration endpoints consumed by front-end engineers, conversational flows, and connected enterprise systems.
• Designs and manages data storage solutions and server-side data structures, and produce reusable, well-tested code libraries.
• Implements authentication, authorization, and security controls appropriate to a HIPAA-regulated environment, including secure handling of PHI and PII.
• Inspects and optimizes services for speed, scalability, latency, and stability, and troubleshoot defects and performance bottlenecks.
• Collaborates with product managers, quality assurance, integration engineers, and front-end and design teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Follows change-management and backup practices before making significant changes to production services.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the area.

Skills

RESTful API design

Python development

Async programming

Security and HIPAA awareness

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field

Tools

FastAPI

AWS

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

AI/ML Back-end Engineer

Location: New Orleans, LA

Job Number REQ_00273014

Location Type: On-site

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job– it's a calling. It's waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

The Back-End Engineer designs, develops, and maintains the server side of conversational AI and automation applications, including the APIs and services consumed by front-end engineers, conversational interfaces, and integrated systems such as scheduling platforms and the electronic health record (EHR). Owns server-side data structures, service and system architecture, security implementation, and back-end performance and stability. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Education

• Required - Bachelor's Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Work Experience

• Required - 5 years Professional back-end/server side software development experience, including building and consuming RESTful APIs, with Python/FastAPI and async frameworks.


• Preferred - AWS experience; modern deployment practices (containers, CI/CD). Hands-on experience of Agentic or LLM-integrated services; experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases; experience in a healthcare or other regulated, HIPAA-relevant environment.

Certifications

• Preferred - AWS Certified Developer, Microsoft Azure Developer Associate, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Developer

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to translate business and product requirements into technical solutions.


• Independently manage system reliability, uptime, and production stability.


• Anticipates and mitigates security and data privacy risks.


• Adapts to evolving AI/LLM-enabled architectures.


• Ability to balance speed, scalability, and compliance in development decisions.


• Ability to design scalable, high-performance backend systems.


• Collaborates with cross-functional technical and product teams.

Job Duties

• Designs, builds, and maintains server-side services, APIs, and system architecture for AI-enabled applications.


• Develops and documents REST APIs and integration endpoints consumed by front-end engineers, conversational flows, and connected enterprise systems.


• Designs and manages data storage solutions and server-side data structures, and produce reusable, well-tested code libraries.


• Implements authentication, authorization, and security controls appropriate to a HIPAA-regulated environment, including secure handling of protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII).


• Inspects and optimizes services for speed, scalability, latency, and stability, and troubleshoot defects and performance bottlenecks.


• Collaborates with product managers, quality assurance, integration engineers, and front-end and design teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.


• Follows change-management and backup practices before making significant changes to production services.


• Performs other duties as assigned


• Complies with all policies and standards

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an