Applied AI Engineer Fellow: Practical Prototyping & Ops

Women In Science; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking an Applied AI Engineer for a one-year post-graduate fellowship focused on practical AI prototyping, evaluation, platform operations, and knowledge transfer. You will build and test AI-enabled workflows, integrations, evaluation tools, and technical documentation under the Director of Technology Infrastructure and Support.

The fellowship emphasizes hands-on delivery, operating a multi-GPU AI server, and sharing outcomes

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in computer science, information, human-computer interaction, data science, engineering, learning sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and applied experience, completed by the start date
• Hands-on programming experience in Python, JavaScript, or a comparable language, including experience working with APIs
• Experience building applications with large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, structured outputs, agents, or related AI techniques
• Experience using Git and working with cloud, container, or modern application-development environments
• Experience designing tests or evaluations and interpreting both quantitative results and user feedback
• Working knowledge of software security, privacy, access control, and responsible AI practices
• Experience with retrieval-augmented generation and agent frameworks, experience with evaluation or observability tooling
• Ability to learn and appropriately use new technologies to improve processes, communication, and outcomes, including AI-enabled tools where relevant to the role, consistent with university policy and job responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Prototype and test AI-enabled workflows for CAI projects selected through intake, building lightweight applications, connectors, retrieval pipelines, and automations that integrate with existing CAI systems
• Support pilots with domain experts, collect user feedback, diagnose failures, and iterate
• Build evaluation datasets, test cases, and repeatable harnesses for quality, reliability, safety, and cost
• Implement logging, access controls, guardrails, and operational telemetry in partnership with TIS staff
• Establish defined operating work for CAI's local AI server, including model deployment, updates, monitoring, and runbook upkeep
• Share practical guidance through demonstrations, office hours, and workshops for staff and student fellows

Skills

Python

JavaScript

APIs

LLMs

Git

Testing/evaluation

Security & privacy

Observability tooling

Adaptability to new tech

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Tools

Cloud environments

Containers/Docker

Job description

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking an Applied AI Engineer for a one-year post-graduate fellowship focused on practical AI prototyping, evaluation, platform operations, and knowledge transfer. You will build and test AI-enabled workflows, integrations, evaluation tools, and technical documentation under the Director of Technology Infrastructure and Support.

The fellowship emphasizes hands-on delivery, operating a multi-GPU AI server, and sharing outcomes