Automation & Systems Engineer (Specialist) (Job #495395)

The Hilltop Institute; Arbutus (MD); On-site; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hilltop Institute is seeking an Automation & Systems Engineer to join its Technology Innovation team in Maryland. The role designs, develops, and supports automated solutions that improve efficiency, data processing, and system reliability across the organization.

Responsibilities include building automation with Python, integrating applications and databases, and exploring AI-driven solutions to enhance productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field.
• 1+ years hands-on experience developing applications, scripts, and automation solutions using Python.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (both written and verbal), with ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automation solutions using Python to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.
• Develop and support integrations between applications, databases, and platforms to improve data flow and information across systems; troubleshoot issues and assist with maintenance.
• Develop applications, scripts, APIs, data pipelines, and integration solutions using Python and related technologies.
• Follow software development best practices including testing, version control, documentation, and code reviews.
• Research, evaluate, and assist with AI-driven solutions, generative AI tools, intelligent automation technologies to improve productivity and decision-making.
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions and assist with project implementation.

Skills

Python

Automation

Data integration

APIs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field

Tools

APIs

Version control

Databases

Cloud technologies

Job description

Job Description

The Hilltop Institute is seeking an Automation & Systems Engineer to join its Technology Innovation team. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing, and supporting automated solutions that improve operational efficiency, data processing, and system reliability across the organization. This role combines software development, systems engineering, AI-enabled technologies, and process improvement to eliminate manual work, streamline workflows, and support evolving business needs.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will perform tasks such as:

Designing, developing, and maintaining automation solutions using Python and other technologies to reduce manual effort, improve operational efficiency, and streamline business and technical processes while monitoring performance and reliability Developing and supporting integrations between applications, databases, and platforms to improve the flow of data and information across systems; troubleshooting technical issues and assisting with system maintenance

• Designing, developing, and maintaining automation solutions using Python and other technologies to reduce manual effort, improve operational efficiency, and streamline business and technical processes while monitoring performance and reliability
• Developing and supporting integrations between applications, databases, and platforms to improve the flow of data and information across systems; troubleshooting technical issues and assisting with system maintenance activities, and documenting processes, workflows, and technical solutions
• Developing applications, scripts, APIs, data pipelines, and integration solutions using Python and related technologies
• Following software development best practices including testing, version control, documentation, and code reviews to ensure maintainable and reliable solutions
• Researching, evaluating, and assisting with the implementation of AI-driven solutions, generative AI tools, intelligent automation technologies, and other emerging technologies; identifying practical opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and decision‑making through innovative technical solutions
• Working closely with business and technical stakeholders to understand requirements, translate operational needs into technical solutions, and assist with project implementation
• Contributing to knowledge sharing and continuously expanding technical skills and expertise
• Partnering with the Hilltop Programming Operations team to identify automation opportunities, improve operational processes, and support technical solutions that enhance data accessibility, reporting capabilities, and overall efficiency
• Serving as a liaison with UMBC’s Department of Information Technology (DoIT) to support infrastructure, security, networking, and enterprise technology initiatives that impact Hilltop systems and operations
• Assisting with cloud, on-premises, and hybrid infrastructure activities, including system monitoring, deployment support, automation, and environment maintenance; supporting efforts to ensure systems remain secure, reliable, and scalable
• Assisting with the administration and automation of application, database, and system access controls; supporting code and application deployments across development, testing, and production environments while following established security and change‑management procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in computer science, information systems, or a related field
• 1+ years of hands‑on experience developing applications, scripts, and automation solutions using Python
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (both written and verbal), along with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders in a collaborative team environment

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will also possess the following preferred competencies:

• Experience working with databases, APIs, data integration processes, and version control systems
• Familiarity with cloud technologies, system integrations, automation frameworks, artificial intelligence tools, and modern software development practices

Salary: $61,000 – $73,500 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Please visit our web page at http://www.umbc.edu/hr for additional employment opportunities.