Conversational AI Engineer (IBM Watsonx Orchestrate) | IBM WatsonX Orchestrate Full Stack Developer

Job Title: Conversational AI Engineer (IBM Watsonx Orchestrate) | IBM WatsonX Orchestrate Full Stack Developer Location: Hartford, CT Work Arrangement: Hybrid / Onsite Employment Type: Contract Duration: Open-ended Long-Term Contract (Based on typical project cycles) Pay Range: $52.45/hr. to $55.38/hr. on W2 | $64.29/hr. to $72.00/hr. on C2C Domain: Healthcare Payor IT & Digital Insurance Platforms Application Deadline: June 18, 2026

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SKILLS REQUIRED: Primary (Must-Have): 10 to 14 years of enterprise software engineering experience with a deep focus on Conversational AI platforms and full-stack system architecture Hands-on, advanced engineering expertise within the IBM Watsonx Orchestrate and Watson Conversational AI stack Proven experience architecting complex dialog flows, context-aware intent resolutions, and natural language processing (NLP) pipelines Strong API integration capabilities, specifically designing orchestration layers that ingest data from external APIs via cloud functions or backend microservices Direct technical experience developing and deploying multi-channel conversational agents across both voice and digital chat interfaces

Secondary (Good to Have): Practical knowledge of advanced machine learning algorithms, cognitive computing frameworks, and Speech-to-Text (STT) model customization/tuning Strong understanding of front-end web technologies and responsive user interface architectures to support UI/UX design collaboration Deep familiarity with enterprise security frameworks, HIPAA data compliance guidelines, and safe cloud deployment practices within the healthcare sector Solid background in lifecycle test automation, performance stress testing, and diagnostic logging for AI virtual assistants

POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking a senior-level Conversational AI Engineer / Program Manager specializing in IBM Watsonx Orchestrate to lead the technical development of our next-generation conversational interface for the YAVA project. Operating onsite/hybrid out of Hartford, CT, within Aetna's Data, Digital, Analytics, and Technology (DDAT) division, this critical role blends full-stack execution with AI strategy. You will own the end-to-end delivery of trustworthy, context-aware virtual assistants designed to connect members and healthcare providers with rapid, accurate health ecosystem data.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Architect, implement, and optimize highly sophisticated, rich conversational paths using the IBM Watsonx ecosystem to deliver accurate answers to consumers. Engineer modular backend integrations and cloud functions to securely bind live database platforms, RESTful APIs, and core banking/insurance legacy data silos. Translate abstract customer experience goals and brand guidelines into clean, testable logic templates alongside backend developers and UI/UX designers. Tune, train, and structurally enhance NLP models, semantic parsers, and custom Speech-to-Text parameters to reduce error rates and handle vocabulary variations. Configure, deploy, and maintain live virtual agents across diverse ecosystem endpoints, validating system health across both telephonic (voice) and web-based chat loops. Conduct advanced triage sessions on production logs, diagnosing intent mismatches, tracing routing drop-offs, and programming proactive functional enhancements. Standardize technical engineering playbooks, continuous integration pipelines, and testing automation matrices to establish modern engineering practices for the AI squad.

BENEFITS Medical | Dental | Vision | 401(k)

EEOC Compliance We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

DISCLAIMER AI Usage Policy: Pacer Group uses AI to assist in screening applications. xsgimln Final hiring decisions are made by human recruiters based on qualifications and experience.