AI Engineer, Forward Deployed (Copilot and Azure AI Foundry)

AI EngineerThe AI Engineer is a hands-on builder who works directly with Client teams to design, build, and ship production AI solutions on Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI Foundry (now Microsoft Foundry). This is an individual contributor role. You will write the code, configure the agents, wire up the data, and get solutions into the hands of real users.You will work inside a Collectiv delivery team alongside a project lead, architects, and data engineers. You will partner directly with Client business and IT stakeholders to turn a business problem into a working AI solution, then harden it for production.Key ResponsibilitiesCopilot SolutionsBuild declarative agents, Copilot connectors, and plugins that extend Microsoft 365 Copilot with Client data and workflowsBuild Copilot Studio agents, topics, actions, and autonomous agents for business processesConnect Copilot to SharePoint, Teams, Microsoft Graph, Dataverse, and line-of-business systemsWrite and iterate on prompts, instructions, and agent configurations based on test results and user feedbackAzure AI Foundry SolutionsBuild custom agents and AI applications in Azure AI Foundry for use cases that go beyond out-of-the-box CopilotSelect, deploy, and configure models from the Foundry model catalog, and explain the trade-offs in cost, quality, and latencyImplement agentic workflows with tool calling, multi-step orchestration, and human-in-the-loop controlsIntegrate AI solutions with enterprise systems through APIs, Azure Functions, Power Automate, and Logic AppsRetrieval and Data FoundationsBuild end-to-end retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines including ingestion, chunking, embedding, vector and hybrid search, and groundingUse Azure AI Search and Azure AI Document Intelligence to index and extract knowledge from Client contentPartner with Collectiv data engineers to connect AI solutions to Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, and other enterprise data platformsEvaluation and Production ReadinessBuild evaluation sets and test harnesses that measure answer quality, groundedness, hallucination rate, safety, latency, and costImplement logging, monitoring, and tracing for deployed agents and modelsApply security, identity, and governance controls using Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and Azure AI Content SafetyUse version control, CI/CD, and code review standards for all AI solution code and configurationConsulting and CollaborationWork directly with Client stakeholders to gather requirements, run working sessions, demo progress, and manage expectationsTranslate business problems into scoped, buildable AI use cases with clear success metricsTrain Client users and administrators on the solutions you build and support adoption after go-liveContribute reusable patterns, accelerators, and documentation to Collectiv's AI practiceRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree from an accredited university in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)4+ years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, or Microsoft 365 and Power Platform development1+ years of hands-on experience building and deploying generative AI or LLM-powered solutions in production or Client environmentsHands-on experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot extensibility and Copilot StudioHands-on experience with Azure AI Foundry or Azure OpenAIExperience building RAG solutions with Azure AI SearchStrong Python or C# skillsExperience working in Azure (storage, compute, identity, networking)Ability to work independently in a Client-facing consulting rolePreferred QualificationsExperience with Microsoft Agent Framework, Semantic Kernel, or AutoGenExperience with Power Platform, Dataverse, and Power AutomateExperience with Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, or Power BIExperience with LLMOps practices including evaluation frameworks, prompt management, and model monitoringFamiliarity with security, privacy, and compliance considerations for AI in regulated industriesConsulting experience across multiple Clients or industriesRelevant certifications such as Azure AI Engineer Associate, Copilot Studio or Power Platform certifications, or Fabric (DP-600, DP-700)What Success Looks Like in This RoleAI solutions you build reach production and are used by real people, not just demoedClients trust you as the engineer who knows how to make Copilot and Foundry work in their environmentYour solutions are measured, documented, secure, and supportable after handoffYou contribute patterns and accelerators that make Collectiv's next AI engagement fasterWhy CollectivJoin Collectiv for a rewarding career in a fully remote work environment with quarterly in-person team Experiences and competitive compensation. We provide a clear growth trajectory with professional development opportunities and a top-shelf benefits package. Enjoy unlimited time off and 100% covered health insurance, encompassing medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family. Our comprehensive offerings, from a competitive 401(k) with a 4% match to educational assistance, tech stipend, and discounts on various goods and services, demonstrate our commitment to your well-being and success.Collectiv is the leading boutique consulting and strategy firm specializing in Analytics, Planning, and AI with Power BI and the Microsoft data stack.Our mission at Collectiv is simple: We help enterprises break free from stagnation and make better decisions.Our Core Values:Growth Mindset: Bring solutions, not problems.Excel with Humility: Be humbly brilliant.Communicate Actively and Empathetically: Listen, ask, understand, help.Work Hard, Play Hard: Results are proportional to effort.Keep Calm and Carry On: Stay cool, calm, and Collectiv.