Azure Cloud Engineer/Developer

Position Title: Azure Cloud Engineer/Developer (AI & EdTech Applications)

Location: Any location; fully remote

Reports To: VP of Technology and Product Design

Duration: Part-time up to 20 hours per week for 6 months

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Per Scholas seeks an Azure Cloud Engineer/Developer (AI & EdTech Applications) to join our national training team. You will shape the future of our learning delivery by developing and integrating an intelligent AI chatbot application and pioneering EdTech applications like virtual and simulated labs platforms. Your cloud and software engineering expertise and passion for technology-driven education will help us deliver exceptional training experiences to our learners. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, problem-solving individual with strong technical skills, demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly to a dynamic environment, and maintains a strong sense of accountability. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO  

• Collaboration:
• Collaborate with various product and technical stakeholders e.g. AI/ML consultants, curriculum designers, instructional designers, subject matter experts, educational technologists, and infrastructure engineers to verify and validate the need assessment and project deliverables.
• AI Chatbot App Development:
• Lead, design, develop, and deploy an engaging AI chatbot application using Azure Bot Service (or other solutions), Cognitive Services (Language Understanding (LUIS), etc.), and relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, C#).
• Design the UI/UX of the chat interface, ensuring user-friendliness and visual appeal.
• Create responsive chatbot components for different platforms and devices.
• Develop the chatbot's logic and core decision-making structures.
• Integrate the chatbot with external databases, third-party services, APIs, and the LMS.
• Write code and implement the technical architecture.
• EdTech Application Development:
• Design, develop, and deploy virtual labs using Azure Lab services utilizing relevant technologies to provide auto-grading and submission of lab activities.
• Create interactive and immersive lab environments that mimic real-world scenarios, enabling hands-on learning.
• Integrate assessment and feedback mechanisms within the labs to measure student progress.
• Azure Cloud Expertise:
• Build scalable cloud solutions tailored for education using key Azure services (e.g., Azure Functions, App Services, Cosmos DB, Logic Apps, Virtual Machines).
• Manage and optimize cloud resources for cost and performance efficiency.
• Maintain strict security standards within the Azure environment.
• Integration Focus:
• Develop custom APIs and integration points to seamlessly connect the AI chatbot, virtual/simulated labs, our LMS, and other internal tools.
• Ensure efficient data flow and synchronization across these systems.
• Implement authentication and access controls for a secure and streamlined user experience.
• Documentation, Training, and Support
• Track application performance, collect user feedback, and continuously refine the chatbot and the EdTech environments.
• Troubleshoot issues and implement bug fixes promptly.
• Create and provide comprehensive training to technical staff on managing and utilizing the new cloud infrastructure. 
• Offer ongoing support and guidance to ensure the smooth operation of cloud lab infrastructure.
• Create supporting documentation for the cloud infrastructure, Chatbot, and related projects. 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO US

Required Skill Sets

• 3-5 years of experience in Azure and Cloud technologies
• Must have a current Microsoft Azure certification, at least at the Associate level
• Strong technical background; able to grasp and convey highly technical subject matter
• Experience with Azure AI Services 
• Experience with implementing integration solutions with Microservices, RESTful Web Services, and Web APIs
• Experience in systems architecture, design, development, object-oriented programming, relational databases, and client-server platforms
• Experience working with various tech stacks and Cloud (Azure, ServiceNow, etc.)
• Experience in working with IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
• Knowledge of Agile engineering practices
• Hands-on coding/scripting experience (Python / Powershell) 
• Experience working with SQL and/or NoSQL data sources (MongoDB, etc.)
• Git/GitHub experience, including merging, rebasing, and pull requests
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and in a self-directed independent capacity with excellent planning and time management skills 
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to coordinate and prioritize effectively
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, applicable certifications, and coursework to stay current with rapidly evolving technology trends and advancements

Preferred Skill Sets

• Experience with AI/ML concepts
• Familiarity with Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Knowledge of Canvas Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Passion for technology-driven education and a desire to improve learning outcomes
• Love for learning, collaboration, sharing knowledge, and the ability to cover new and temporary projects when needed

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent practical/industry experience). 
• Strong technical aptitude (Google Sheets/Excel, Slides/PowerPoint, Salesforce, Slack, Zoom, etc.), project management, and organizational skills with detailed follow-through abilities. 
• Excellent written communication, presentation, and customer service skills.
• Solid understanding of business needs.
• Strong evaluation and data management skills.

Personal Characteristics

• You thrive in a creative, inventive, fast-paced startup environment with people who are passionate about their work and mission.
• You are data-driven, result-oriented, and a forward-looking catalyst for social change.
• You have a collaborative and flexible work style. You’re excited to work cross-functionally with other departments and independently.
• You are a life-long learner.
• You are an effective communicator with strong oral and written skills. 
• You are tech-savvy and learn new tools quickly. 
• You are detail-oriented, with exceptional organizational management skills.
• You have strong public speaking and interpersonal skills. You are a motivator who is personable, approachable, and socially engaging. You can cultivate relationships and build rapport quickly and authentically with people from various professional and cultural backgrounds.
• You are adept at managing your time and balancing multiple projects and tasks.
• You stand behind our mission, believing that individuals from any community should have access to well-paying career positions and that talent should be recognized and recruited from diverse sources.

Compensation

For this role specifically, we are targeting a salary range of $85,000 - $88,400 where the difference in salary is typically determined by several factors, including geography in which the selected candidate resides, and alignment with qualifications and experience.