AI Engineer

We are looking for a skilled and versatile AI Engineer to design, build, and optimize enterprise-grade AI solutions using Microsoft Azure AI Services. Reporting to the VP of Enterprise Architecture & Innovation, you’ll play a key role in building both backend services, autonomous agents and client-facing tools that power the organization’s next generation of intelligent applications.

This role involves full-stack thinking—from scalable APIs and document intelligence pipelines to web-based AI assistants and optimized search experiences. You’ll also bring a deep understanding of how to fine-tune and operationalize Azure AI offerings, including Semantic Ranker in Azure AI Search, custom model workflows in Azure Machine Learning, and data orchestration with Azure Data Lake.

Responsibilities:

• Set up and configure AI-powered services using Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, Azure AI Search, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Functions.
• Develop document intelligence pipelines for processing forms, PDFs, scanned content, and unstructured documents.
• Configure and optimize Azure AI Search—including Semantic Ranker, hybrid retrieval, custom scoring profiles, and vector search.
• Create backend components to expose AI capabilities across business systems.
• Design and deploy lightweight client-side tools (e.g., chat UIs, semantic search portals, data entry enhancers) to make AI accessible to users.
• Use Azure Machine Learning to train, fine-tune, evaluate, and deploy custom models where out-of-the-box services don’t suffice.
• Leverage Azure Data Lake and other data services for accessing, transforming, and feeding data into AI pipelines.
• Monitor, evaluate, and iterate on model performance, cost efficiency, and user satisfaction
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, developers, and business partners to deliver end-to-end AI solutions.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security, governance, and responsible AI standards.

Experience:

Required:

• 3+ years of experience in software development (Python, C#, JavaScript, or Java)
• Strong hands-on experience with Azure AI Services, including OpenAI, Cognitive Services, AI Search, and Azure Machine Learning
• Experience with document intelligence techniques (e.g., OCR, layout analysis, information extraction)
• Familiarity with Azure Data Lake, Blob Storage, and managing enterprise-scale datasets
• Ability to optimize AI services, including semantic search tuning, model evaluation, and API cost-performance balancing
• Experience developing simple client-side applications using frameworks like React, Streamlit, or plain JavaScript
• Excellent collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills

Preferred:

• Experience orchestrating RAG pipelines and combining structured/unstructured data in AI workflows
• Familiarity with MLOps practices using Azure ML for model lifecycle management
• Exposure to AI observability tools and best practices
• Understanding of enterprise architecture, IT compliance, and production-grade deployment patterns

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technical field.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Engineering, or Software Engineering)
• Certifications in Microsoft Azure, such as:
  • Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)
  • Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)

Benefits & Perks:

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team. 

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws

UniFirst is an equal employment employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to TalentAcquisition@unifirst.com or call to let us know the nature of your request.

UniFirst Recruiters and/or representatives will not ask job seekers to provide personal financial information when submitting a job application. Please be vigilant as such requests for information may be fraudulent.