Software Engineer- Backend/ Applied AI

Motion Recruitment; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Motion Recruitment is seeking a Software Engineer – Backend with a passion for applied AI to build scalable APIs and data pipelines in Charlotte. This hybrid role focuses on integrating LLMs, embeddings, and RAG into production applications.

You will design and maintain backend services, collaborate with product and design teams, ensure reliability, and optimize performance while using cloud platforms. The position offers a competitive salary, hybrid work arrangement, and opportunities to work

Qualifications

• Minimum expectation: strong backend engineering experience with scalable APIs.
• Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities and LLMs.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and data pipelines.
• Proficiency in Python and at least one other language from the listed stack.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend systems and APIs.
• Integrate AI/ML capabilities including LLMs, embeddings, and RAG.
• Develop data pipelines for AI workflows and production systems.
• Implement context-aware AI features and optimize performance.
• Collaborate with product and design to deliver AI-powered services.

Skills

Python

JavaScript/TypeScript

PHP

Go

Backend systems & APIs

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure)

SQL/NoSQL

Software design & architecture

AI API integrations

Prompt engineering / embeddings

Vector search

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Pinecone

Weaviate

React

Next.js

Job description

Software Engineer – Backend / Applied AI Job Description

We are looking for a Software Engineer with a strong backend engineering background and an interest in applied AI to build scalable APIs, backend services, and data pipelines that power AI-driven features. This role focuses on integrating large language models (LLMs), embeddings, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) into production applications. You will work closely with product and design teams to develop reliable, scalable, and efficient AI-powered solutions.

Location: Charlotte, NC (Hybrid – 3 days onsite per week)

Salary: $92,000–$115,000

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend systems, APIs, and services.
• Integrate AI/ML capabilities, including LLMs, embeddings, and classification.
• Develop and optimize data pipelines for AI workflows.
• Implement RAG and context-aware systems.
• Integrate third-party AI tools and services.
• Improve system performance, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Write clean, maintainable, well-tested code.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to architectural decisions.

Required Skills

• Strong programming experience in Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, PHP, Go, or similar languages.
• Experience building and maintaining backend systems and APIs.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Experience with SQL and/or NoSQL databases.
• Understanding of software design principles and system architecture.
• Familiarity with AI API integrations, prompt engineering, embeddings, vector search, and model evaluation.

Preferred Skills

• Experience building and deploying AI-powered applications in production.
• Familiarity with vector databases such as Pinecone or Weaviate.
• Experience with LangChain or LlamaIndex.
• Knowledge of machine learning fundamentals, including training, fine-tuning, and evaluation.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or event-driven architectures.
• Frontend experience with React or Next.js is a plus but not required.

Additional Information

• Hybrid position requiring three days onsite per week in Charlotte, NC.
• Work visa sponsorship is not available.
• Equal opportunity employer.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.

Posted By: Elizabeth Flint