AI Systems & Operations Specialist

Smartish; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid covered parking in downtownAustin

401(k) with employer match

PTO & Holidays

FSA, HSA

Free phone cases & stuff for you and a

Job summary

Smartish is seeking a hands-on AI Systems & Operations Specialist to redesign how the company operates in the AI era, leveraging AI, automation, integrations, APIs, and custom software to remove manual work and create leverage. Hybrid role in Austin, reporting to the Head of Operations, with a focus on rapid prototyping and scalable AI-enabled workflows.

You will collaborate with leadership to identify bottlenecks, prototype AI-powered solutions, connect platforms via APIs, and turn

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in automation, systems, operations, software, analytics, technical project work, or related hands-on roles.
• At least 1 year of practical AI experience beyond simple prompting.
• Experience using AI-assisted coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, GitHub Copilot, or similar.
• Strong systems thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Experience connecting tools, workflows, APIs, or business systems.
• Ability to independently figure things out without perfect information.
• Strong curiosity and obsession with learning new technology.
• Comfortable working with both technical and non-technical people.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to work hybrid in Austin.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly prototype internal AI-powered tools and workflows.
• Use AI agents and AI-assisted development tools to accelerate business processes.
• Convert successful experiments into repeatable systems.
• Identify opportunities where AI can eliminate repetitive work.
• Create documentation and best practices for scalable AI adoption.
• Evaluate new AI platforms and determine practical business applications.
• Design solutions that improve operational efficiency and scalability.
• Improve how information moves across the company.
• Build tools that help teams make better decisions faster.
• Identify gaps between current workflows and ideal workflows.
• Connect systems using APIs, low-code tools, automation platforms, and AI-assisted development.
• Troubleshoot data flow and integration issues.
• Improve reliability of business-critical systems.
• Maintain documentation of integrations and system architecture.
• Evaluate tools and platforms that support future growth.
• Help teams learn how to effectively use AI tools.
• Identify successful AI experiments and scale them across departments.
• Create repeatable workflows that others can adopt.
• Become a trusted resource for practical AI implementation.
• Lead cross-functional systems projects.
• Translate business needs into practical technical solutions.
• Coordinate with internal and external developers when necessary.
• Drive accountability around project execution and documentation.
• Communicate progress clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

AI automation

Systems thinking

APIs & integrations

Technical leadership

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Claude Code

Cursor

Windsurf

GitHub Copilot

Low-code tools

Job description

Smartish is looking for a hands‑on AI Systems & Operations Specialist to help redesign how our company operates in the AI era.

You will work directly with leadership to identify bottlenecks, rapidly prototype solutions using AI tools and AI‑assisted development, and turn successful experiments into durable systems used throughout the business.

This is not a traditional IT role, not a help desk role, and not just a prompt engineering role.

We are looking for someone who understands how businesses actually work and is excited to use AI, automation, integrations, APIs, and custom coded software to eliminate manual work and create leverage.

One day you might build an AI‑powered workflow that eliminates hours of repetitive reporting. The next day you might connect Shopify, Amazon, and internal systems through APIs. The next week you might redesign an entire operational process around AI‑first workflows.

You should already be experimenting with AI tools, AI‑assisted coding, automations, agents, APIs, and modern software platforms. You don't need to be a senior engineer, but you do need to be someone who learns fast and enjoys building.

This is a great opportunity to make an immediate impact at a profitable, fast‑moving e‑commerce company that has been growing for 17 years. This role will help shape how Smartish operates for the next decade.

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid: Downtown HQ)

Type: Full‑Time

Reports To: Head of Operations

• AI Systems & Workflow Automation
• Business Systems Engineering
• Process Analysis & Optimization
• Systems Integrations & APIs
• Internal AI Enablement
• Technical Project Leadership

What The Actual Work Looks Like

In your first 30 days, you might:

• Build an internal AI tool that automates a repetitive reporting process
• Use Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, or similar tools to rapidly prototype a new workflow
• Connect Shopify, Amazon, and internal systems through APIs
• Help a department eliminate hours of manual work through automation
• Turn a spreadsheet‑driven process into a scalable internal system
• Evaluate and deploy AI tools that improve team productivity
• Identify bottlenecks across operations and propose AI‑first solutions
• Help leadership prioritize the highest ROI automation opportunities

Job Accountability Details

AI Systems & Workflow Automation

• Rapidly prototype internal AI‑powered tools and workflows
• Use LLMs, AI agents, and AI‑assisted development tools to accelerate business processes
• Convert successful experiments into repeatable systems
• Identify opportunities where AI can eliminate repetitive work
• Create documentation and best practices for scalable AI adoption
• Evaluate new AI platforms and determine practical business applications

Business Systems Engineering

• Design solutions that improve operational efficiency and scalability
• Improve how information moves across the company
• Create systems that reduce manual work and increase visibility
• Build tools that help teams make better decisions faster
• Identify gaps between current workflows and ideal workflows

Process Analysis & Optimization

• Analyze workflows across operations, warehouse, inventory, customer service, finance, marketing, and e‑commerce
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and unnecessary manual work
• Recommend practical improvements with measurable business impact
• Partner with department leaders to redesign workflows

Systems Integrations & APIs

• Connect systems using APIs, low‑code tools, automation platforms, and AI‑assisted development
• Troubleshoot data flow and integration issues
• Improve reliability of business‑critical systems
• Maintain documentation of integrations and system architecture
• Evaluate tools and platforms that support future growth

Internal AI Enablement

• Help teams learn how to effectively use AI tools
• Identify successful AI experiments and scale them across departments
• Create repeatable workflows that others can adopt
• Become a trusted resource for practical AI implementation

Technical Project Leadership

• Lead cross‑functional systems projects
• Translate business needs into practical technical solutions
• Coordinate with internal and external developers when necessary
• Drive accountability around project execution and documentation
• Communicate progress clearly to stakeholders

What We're Looking For

Required

• 2-5 years of experience in automation, systems, operations, software, analytics, technical project work, or related hands‑on roles
• At least 1 year of practical AI experience beyond simple prompting
• Experience using AI‑assisted coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, GitHub Copilot, or similar
• Strong systems thinking and problem‑solving ability
• Experience connecting tools, workflows, APIs, or business systems
• Ability to independently figure things out without perfect information
• Strong curiosity and obsession with learning new technology
• Comfortable working with both technical and non‑technical people
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willing to work hybrid in Austin

Bonus Points

• Shopify experience
• ERP, CRM, WMS, or inventory system experience
• SQL experience
• Data analytics experience
• QA or systems testing experience
• Startup experience

This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who

• Builds side projects for fun
• Uses AI every day
• Gets excited about eliminating repetitive work
• Loves figuring out how systems fit together
• Learns new tools without being asked
• Enjoys solving ambiguous business problems
• Would rather build a solution than write a PowerPoint about it
• Wants broad exposure to how a business actually operates

This Role Is NOT A Fit If

• You primarily want to manage people
• You prefer highly structured environments with detailed requirements
• You wait for someone else to tell you exactly what to do
• You enjoy planning more than building
• You want to specialize in only one technology or function
• You view AI as a threat rather than a tool

Why This Role Is Unique

• Direct access to leadership
• Opportunity to shape how an entire company adopts AI
• Exposure to every major business function
• Freedom to experiment and build
• Real ownership and autonomy
• Immediate business impact
• Join a profitable, bootstrapped company that values results over bureaucracy
• FSA, HSA
• 401(k) with employer match
• PTO & Holidays
• Paid covered parking in downtown Austin
• Free phone cases & stuff for you and a +1

About Smartish

Smartish makes everyday life a little easier with phone cases and stuff just clever enough to solve unexpected needs. Based in downtown Austin, Texas, our team is a jaunty, down‑to‑earth, and highly caffeinated group of folks that, since 2009, have taken our products seriously, but ourselves… not so much. Pique your interest? Learn more at Smartish.com