AI & Automation Architect for Business Workflows

University of Fort Hare; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare is seeking a hands-on AI automation engineer to design and deploy AI agents and automations across core workflows. You will work with directors and IT teams to map processes, identify bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions using APIs, databases and BI tools.

You will build integrations, prototype rapidly, and advance solutions through structured SDLC, ensuring security and governance while measuring business impact.

Qualifications

• 2 years' practical software development experience.
• Strong Python and/or Java development skills.
• Experience with REST APIs and system-to-system integrations.
• Practical experience integrating applications with LLMs and AI platforms through APIs.
• Experience with SQL databases and BI/reporting tools.
• Knowledge of SDLC and secure development practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and build internal AI agents, applications and automations across workflows.
• Automate repetitive activities such as document preparation, data entry, correspondence, information retrieval, status tracking, reporting and other administrative processes.
• Analyse and map existing business processes to identify bottlenecks, duplication, unnecessary manual effort and opportunities for automation, integration or process redesign.
• Prioritise automation opportunities based on business value, complexity, risk, implementation cost and expected ROI.
• Integrate AI and automation solutions with our existing systems, including case management, client portals, document management and other line-of-business applications.
• Develop integrations using APIs, databases, webhooks and other appropriate integration methods.
• Build reusable frameworks, components and tools so that new automations can be developed efficiently rather than starting from scratch each time.
• Work with business data using SQL, reporting and BI tools to identify opportunities and measure the impact of implemented solutions.
• Prototyping solutions quickly, testing them with real users and improving them based on feedback.
• Taking successful prototypes through appropriate development, testing, change control and production deployment processes.
• Implementing sensible AI guardrails, including security, data protection, accuracy checks, audit trails, monitoring and human approval where appropriate.
• Monitoring AI solutions for quality, accuracy, performance, reliability, security and operating cost.
• Maintaining source code, documentation and version control so that solutions can be properly supported and maintained.
• Working with management to track the actual business benefits achieved through AI and automation.

Skills

Python

Java

REST APIs

LLMs via APIs

SQL databases

BI and reporting

Git

SDLC

Security practices

Tools

Git

Job description

University of Fort Hare is seeking a hands-on AI automation engineer to design and deploy AI agents and automations across core workflows. You will work with directors and IT teams to map processes, identify bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions using APIs, databases and BI tools.

You will build integrations, prototype rapidly, and advance solutions through structured SDLC, ensuring security and governance while measuring business impact.