Engineer Artificial Intelligence Application

Academy Sports + Outdoors; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors is looking for an AI Specialist to develop AI agents and assistants using Microsoft Copilot Studio and related tools. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and at least 4 years of experience in AI solution development.

The candidate will work closely with business stakeholders to gather requirements while designing and testing AI solutions. A strong understanding of prompt design and familiarity with Microsoft platforms is essential. The position is on-site in Katy, Texas.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in AI solution development and application development.
• Hands-on experience with AI agents and chatbots.
• Experience with Microsoft tools like Power Automate and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Build AI agents and assistant experiences using Microsoft tools.
• Partner with stakeholders to clarify requirements and convert use cases.
• Test agent performance for accuracy and usability.

Skills

Strong understanding of prompt design

Ability to design agent instructions

Strong problem-solving skills

Familiarity with AI safety and data privacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Microsoft certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Copilot Studio

Power Platform

Azure AI

Job description

Who We Are

At Academy Sports + Outdoors our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country — but what truly sets us apart is our people. We’re a passionate, purpose-driven team that’s as committed to each other as we are to our customers. We’ve spent over 80 years building a culture that puts people first. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member’s journey. What fuels us? Our belief in the power of fun.

Here, you won’t just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you’ll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can’t lose!

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform, Azure AI, or related Microsoft certification preferred
• Training or practical experience in prompt design, AI evaluation, knowledge grounding, or responsible AI preferred

Work Experiences

• 4+ years in AI solution development, automation, application development, data platforms, or enterprise technology
• Hands‑on experience building AI agents, copilots, chatbots, workflow automations, or advanced digital assistants
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Automate, Power Apps, SharePoint, Teams, Dataverse, or Azure AI
• Experience building internal tools for operations, human resources, IT, finance, supply chain, stores, or customer‑facing teams preferred
• Retail or multi‑site enterprise experience preferred

Skills

• Strong understanding of prompt design, knowledge grounding, and AI testing methods
• Ability to design agent instructions, conversation flows, prompts, knowledge grounding, actions, and escalation paths
• Comfort configuring approved knowledge sources such as SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL, ServiceNow, internal documents, and enterprise data
• Ability to work directly with business users and translate needs into practical AI solutions
• Strong problem‑solving skills and comfort working in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments
• Familiarity with Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) patterns, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Graph, APIs, enterprise search, AI safety, access controls, and data privacy preferred

Responsibilities

• Build AI agents, copilots, and assistant experiences using Microsoft Copilot Studio, Azure AI Studio, Power Platform, SharePoint, Teams, and related Microsoft tools
• Design agent instructions, conversation flows, prompts, knowledge grounding, actions, and escalation paths
• Configure approved knowledge sources such as SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL, ServiceNow, internal documents, and enterprise data
• Partner with business stakeholders to clarify requirements and convert use cases into working prototypes
• Test agent performance for accuracy, completeness, hallucination risk, usability, and business fit
• Improve agent quality through prompt refinement, knowledge tuning, evaluation frameworks, and user feedback
• Package successful prototypes into reusable templates, starter prompts, and build patterns
• Document agent configuration, data sources, known limitations, support model, and adoption guidance
• Support pilots, collect feedback, and iterate quickly toward production readiness
• Responsibilities may change; team members may be required to perform other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements & Attendance

• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior
• Regular office attendance is required

Equal Employment Opportunity

Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.