AI Application Developer (Architect)

at  Codec

DESCRIPTION

Codec is as award winning digital transformation company with big growth ambitions. We are an award-winning full-stack IT consultancy, a local alternative to the Big 4, established in 1985, headquartered in Dublin with offices in Galway, Belfast, London, Poland and Germany. Employing 290+ staff, we are growing rapidly and have crafted a clear vision of the future developing our own ‘IP’ to complement the Cloud stacks from Microsoft and Oracle.
Due to the expanding needs of our clients, we are seeking a Senior Application Development Architect with AI experience to join our growing Application Modernisation & Enterprise Integration team. This role will focus primarily on application development architecture but with a strong emphasis on incorporating AI capabilities, where beneficial.
Our customers are eager to integrate AI into their operations, and this role presents a dynamic opportunity to drive Proof of Value initiatives, engage in Research & Development, and operationalise AI services to deliver tangible business benefits.
You will work with Microsoft Azure AI services, including Azure AI Vision, Azure AI Speech, Azure AI Language, Azure AI Document Intelligence, Azure AI Search, and Azure OpenAI Service. This role focuses on integration of enterprise-level AI to build robust and innovative solutions, but not user-focused bots or assistants like Microsoft Copilot.
Depending on the project, the role may involve close collaboration with other teams, both internal and customer teams.
The ideal candidate will need to demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving aptitude, present strong leadership capabilities and be proficient in both verbal and written communication.
Proficiency in software analysis, design, and development throughout the full lifecycle is a key requirement for the role, however, for this role we are looking for a person with experience and passion for emerging AI technologies.
Codec supports Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements for staff, however, on-site working will be required where expected by customers, and attendance at the Codec offices will also be expected regularly throughout the month.
Codec supports Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements for staff, however, on-site working will be required where expected by customers, and attendance at the Codec offices will also be expected throughout the month. As such, we are seeking candidates who are currently located in Northern Ireland with existing Right to Work approval for the United Kingdom. You must be able to prove your employment history and be suitable to go forward for Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Candidates who currently or have previously held BPSS Security Cleared (BPSS SC) level will be preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven Experience: 10+ years as a software architect or senior application developer with a focus on enterprise solution architecture and development.
• Azure Proficiency: Strong experience working with Azure cloud infrastructure, including Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Machine Learning services.
• Application Development: Proficiency in developing web applications using Microsoft UI Technologies, Blazor/Angular/React, or similar front-end frameworks.
• AI & ML Expertise: Experience with AI/ML, particularly using Azure AI infrastructure, including Azure Cognitive Language Services and Azure Machine Learning.
• Creating AI-powered applications: Extensive hands-on experience in defining and building AI-powered applications, covering the complete lifecycle including data collection, quality analysis, model training, validation, testing, and prediction.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency in languages such as C# for developing backend services, integration, and deployment.
• Database Management: Experience working with both relational databases (SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (Cosmos DB, Azure Data Lake).
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills, able to effectively communicate solution designs and business impacts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Leadership Experience: Experience leading development teams, guiding best practices, and fostering an innovative approach to application and AI-driven solutions.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience in Agile development environments, including participation in sprint planning and scrum ceremonies.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with services such as Microsoft Fabric, Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, and Azure AI Foundry/Studio.
• Experience in AI testing methodologies, including defining appropriate test cases, validating AI model performance, and collaborating with QA teams to ensure robustness and accuracy in AI applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Certifications in Azure, such as Azure AI Fundamentals, Azure Data Scientist Associate, or Azure AI Engineer Associate.
• Experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines for deploying applications and AI models.
• Experience with LLMs, training and tuning small language models, and familiarity with modern NLP frameworks.

• Application Development Architecture: Design, develop, and oversee scalable enterprise-level applications, primarily using Microsoft Azure services. Ensure integration of AI where it enhances business value and operational efficiency.
• AI Integration: Identify opportunities to incorporate AI capabilities using Azure AI infrastructure, including Azure Cognitive Language Services and Azure Machine Learning. Design, develop, and implement AI features that integrate with existing systems, ensuring they meet business objectives and technical standards.
• Cloud Architecture: Work with Microsoft Azure’s suite of services including Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Machine Learning services to create scalable application architectures.
• AI Leadership & Industry Awareness: Provide AI expertise and leadership to customers and the wider Codec team, ensuring they stay informed about the latest AI advancements and best practices. Stay up to date with developing and emerging trends in AI and cloud technologies, assessing their potential impact on enterprise solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams including product owners, developers, and solution architects to ensure that both application and AI capabilities are aligned with the business requirements and are effectively integrated into broader solutions.
• Development & Integration: Lead efforts to build and deploy scalable, responsive applications leveraging the Microsoft UI stack, Blazor/Angular/React, or similar technologies. Integrate backend services using Azure Functions and Azure Web Apps to ensure smooth data flow and system interoperability.
• Quality Assurance & Testing: Develop and maintain testing protocols to ensure application reliability and performance. Participate in AI model validation, A/B testing, and deployment practices as needed.
• Oversight & Guidance: Lead and mentor a team of developers, providing technical guidance on application and AI solution design. Be a technical escalation point and help resolve any challenges during project implementation.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain comprehensive technical documentation including solution architecture, AI model designs, data flows, and integration specifications. Provide status reports, highlight project challenges, and work with project governance to meet milestones.
• Presales: Assist the Codec sales team by gathering relevant information, designing tailored solutions, and providing accurate estimates to support potential business opportunities.