Junior AI Engineer

MetLife; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

MetLife’s Corporate Technology AI Accelerator is seeking a Jr. AI Engineer to help build and support reusable AI capabilities at scale.

You will work under senior engineers on enterprise agents, knowledge retrieval, integration and automation while learning governance and responsible‑AI practices. You’ll contribute to AI-enabled components using Python and C#/.NET, collaborate across product and platform teams, and help turn AI‑first ambitions into trusted, measurable business impact.

Qualifications

• Strong programming fundamentals in Python or C#/.NET.
• Familiarity with generative AI concepts and responsible‑AI basics.
• Willingness to work under direct guidance and follow standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI-enabled components, integrations and automation with Python and C#/.NET.
• Support retrieval-augmented workflows including embeddings and vector search.
• Assist in building employee-facing conversational experiences via Microsoft Teams.
• Build and test REST API integrations between AI components and enterprise systems.
• Contribute to deployment tasks and Infrastructure as Code for AI workloads.

Skills

Python

C#/.NET

JavaScript/TypeScript/Java

Software fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / AI / related field

Azure fundamentals certification (AZ-900)

Tools

Azure AI Search

Microsoft Teams

Terraform

GitHub Copilot

Job description

When you join MetLife’s Global Technology team, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking group dedicated to shaping the future of digital solutions for customers worldwide. You’ll develop, maintain and support technology applications and delivery, leveraging AI, automation, and contemporary ways of working to enhance experiences and drive business outcomes. Your work will simplify complex processes, improve tech resiliency, and ensure high-performing, seamless solutions that power life’s most important moments. In this dynamic environment, you’ll collaborate with talented peers across teams and functions, expanding your skills in impactful ways. Ready to push boundaries and set new industry standards? Join us and help drive the future of technology forward.

The Opportunity The Jr. AI Engineer is part of the Corporate Technology AI Accelerator, helping build, test and support reusable AI capabilities that enable corporate functions and business teams to solve meaningful problems at scale. Working under the direction of senior engineers, you will contribute to enterprise agents, knowledge retrieval, integration and automation while learning the common engineering patterns, governance and responsible‑AI practices that help solutions move from idea to secure, reliable production. Guided by our purpose — always with you, building a more confident future — and our New Frontier strategy focused on stronger growth, attractive returns and all‑weather performance, this is an opportunity to begin an engineering career on real enterprise AI, collaborate across product, platform and business teams, and help turn AI‑first ambition into trusted employee experiences and measurable business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop AI-enabled application components, integrations and automation logic under the direction of senior engineers, using Python and C#/.NET.
• Support implementation of retrieval‑augmented workflows, including embeddings, vector search, Azure AI Search indexes and prompt configuration.
• Assist in building employee‑facing conversational experiences delivered through Microsoft Teams, including Adaptive Cards and message extensions.
• Build and test REST API integrations between AI components and enterprise HR, workplace and line‑of‑business systems.
• Contribute to deployment tasks, operational checks and Infrastructure as Code activities for AI workloads, using established patterns and templates.
• Test and validate model and prompt outputs by applying grounding checks, guardrails and quality standards, escalating responsible‑AI questions promptly.
• Capture telemetry and support basic observability and response‑quality reporting for deployed agents.
• Maintain documentation for prompts, workflows, tools and AI system behavior, and participate in Agile ceremonies within the engineering team.
• Learn and apply approved AI platform standards, model integration practices, responsible AI guidance and human‑in‑the‑loop design patterns.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Python and/or C# (.NET), or another major programming language such as JavaScript, TypeScript or Java, with sound software engineering fundamentals.
• Foundational proficiency with generative AI: an understanding of large language models, embeddings and prompt‑based development, together with the judgment to review AI‑generated output critically and responsibly rather than accept it at face value.
• Willingness to work under direct guidance, act on feedback, and follow established engineering, security, privacy and responsible‑AI standards.
• Analytical and problem‑solving ability, with a demonstrated learning mindset.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to collaborate with engineering, product and business partners and to raise blockers early.

Preferred Qualifications

• Suggested 0–1 years of experience in AI, machine learning or software engineering involving large language models, including internships, academic projects or equivalent practical work.
• Exposure to enterprise agent development, or to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams application development.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft agent stack, including the Microsoft Agent Framework, the Microsoft 365 Agent SDK, Azure AI Search or Azure AI Foundry.
• Exposure to retrieval‑augmented generation, vector search, or Model Context Protocol tool integrations.
• Exposure to cloud platforms, Azure preferred, and to Infrastructure as Code using Terraform.
• Awareness of observability, telemetry and AI response‑quality measurement.
• Experience using GitHub Copilot or a similar AI coding assistant.
• Azure fundamentals certification (AZ-900 or AI-900).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, AI, machine learning, data science, information systems, engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, applied to software or AI engineering.

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role rrequiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.

The expected salary range for this position is 55,800 – 75,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short‑term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms. About MetLife Recognized on Fortune magazine’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies”, Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI‑enabled, people‑centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long‑term value.

Our purpose is simple – to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values – Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead – we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”). If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug‑free workplace. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities. This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 90 days from the listed posting date.