AI & Automation Developer

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

Pretoria | Contract to Full-time

We are looking for someone who can determine whether the right solution is AI, traditional software development, workflow automation, system integration, better use of data, or simply redesigning the process. You'll work directly with directors, management, IT and operational teams to understand how work is currently performed, identify opportunities for improvement and turn those opportunities into working solutions. If you enjoy combining software development, AI, automation, data and practical problem-solving, and want to see the direct impact of what you build, we'd like to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Designing and building internal AI agents, applications and automations across operational and legal workflows.
• Automating repetitive activities such as document preparation, data entry, correspondence, information retrieval, status tracking, reporting and other administrative processes.
• Analysing and mapping existing business processes to identify bottlenecks, duplication, unnecessary manual effort and opportunities for automation, integration or process redesign.
• Helping prioritise automation opportunities based on business value, complexity, risk, implementation cost and expected return on investment (ROI).
• Integrating AI and automation solutions with our existing systems, including case management, client portals, document management and other line-of-business applications.
• Developing integrations using APIs, databases, webhooks and other appropriate integration methods.
• Building reusable frameworks, components and tools so that new automations can be developed efficiently rather than starting from scratch each time.
• Working with business data using SQL, reporting and Business Intelligence 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.

Technical Experience

We are looking for someone with a strong practical development foundation who is comfortable working across software development, integrations, data and automation. You should have:

• A minimum of 2 years' practical software development experience.
• Strong development skills in Python and/or Java.
• Good working knowledge of JSON.
• Experience working with REST APIs and system-to-system integrations.
• Practical experience integrating applications with LLMs and AI platforms through APIs.
• Experience with SQL databases, including querying, manipulating and analysing data.
• Knowledge of Business Intelligence (BI) and reporting tools, with the ability to turn operational data into useful business information.
• Experience using Git and source-code repositories, including appropriate version‑control practices.
• A good understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the ability to work within structured development, testing, change-control and deployment processes.
• Experience integrating systems using APIs, databases, webhooks or similar technologies.
• An understanding of secure development practices, particularly when working with confidential, client or personal information.
• Experience with workflow and automation platforms would be advantageous.

What You'll Bring

Beyond the technical skills, we're looking for someone who can understand a business problem and take ownership of solving it. You should bring:

• A practical, hands‑on approach — you enjoy building working solutions, not just designing or discussing them.
• The ability to take a solution from an idea or prototype through testing and into production.
• Practical experience building with LLMs, AI agents and automation technologies, rather than purely experimental exposure.
• The ability to understand an existing business process, identify inefficiencies and translate them into a technical solution.
• Strong judgement about where AI is genuinely useful and where traditional software development or automation may be the better option.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to directors, managers and non-technical colleagues.
• An interest in working within a regulated and security-conscious environment.
• A strong focus on security, confidentiality, auditability and the responsible use of AI.
• The ability to work independently, take ownership and manage priorities.
• A willingness to learn the business and understand the processes you are automating rather than simply developing from a specification.
• Demonstrate return on investment

Nice to Have

Experience in any of the following would be beneficial:

• Legal technology or legal services
• Professional services or another regulated industry
• Business Intelligence and reporting platforms
• Microsoft 365 and/or Microsoft Power Platform
• Workflow and process automation platforms
• Data analytics and dashboard development
• AI agent frameworks and orchestration tools
• Introducing AI or automation capabilities into an established organisation