Junior Cloud / AI Developer

Junior Cloud / AI Developer (Remote):
JOB SUMMARY:
Junior Cloud / Artificial Intelligence (AI) Developer helps design, build, test, and support Java-based, cloud-native applications running on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) that enable and improve business workflows. This role contributes to secure and scalable services under the guidance of senior engineers and works closely with DevOps, Quality Assurance (QA), Product Management, and security partners to deliver reliable solutions that meet performance, security, and compliance expectations.

Key Responsibilities
Contribute to the development and maintenance of Java backend services using modern engineering practices and established team patterns.
Assist in building cloud-based solutions on GCP that support data ingestion, processing, storage, retrieval, and distribution.
Develop and maintain Representational State Transfer (REST) application programming interfaces (APIs), including clear documentation and support for backward compatibility.
Support implementation of AI-enabled features by integrating approved AI services or models into applications, following team standards for quality and monitoring.
Troubleshoot and resolve application issues with guidance from senior team members, including participating in root-cause analysis and implementing fixes to prevent recurrence.
Follow secure coding practices and help ensure solutions meet security and compliance requirements (for example: access controls, encryption, logging, and policy-aligned data handling).
Contribute to continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) activities and updates in partnership with DevOps to support repeatable deployments.
Implement and maintain basic observability practices such as logging, metrics, and alerts; help keep operational documentation and runbooks current.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to plan, deliver, test, and support software releases.
Participate in code reviews, team ceremonies, and technical documentation to build skills and align with shared standards.

Required Skills
Experience developing backend applications or services in Java (academic, internship, or professional experience).
Basic understanding of cloud concepts and interest/experience working on GCP (coursework or hands-on exposure is acceptable).
Familiarity with REST APIs including common integration patterns and basic authentication/authorization concepts.
Exposure to AI concepts or AI service integration (for example: using an API for summarization, classification, or extraction) and willingness to learn evaluation/monitoring basics.
Understanding of secure engineering fundamentals (least privilege, secrets handling, encryption basics, and audit logging concepts).
Familiarity with Git and modern development workflows; exposure to CI/CD concepts is a plus.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to learn from feedback and follow established engineering practices.

Preferred Qualifications
Exposure to Agile methodologies and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) practices.
Familiarity with change/configuration management tools (for example: VersionOne, ServiceNow) and/or Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) practices.
Hands-on exposure to container or serverless concepts (for example: Docker, Kubernetes fundamentals, or managed/serverless deployments).
Additional Required Skills/Experience:
o A minimum of Five (5) years' relevant experience.
o A degree from an accredited College/University in the applicable field of services is required. If the individual's degree is not in the applicable field then four additional years of related experience is required.
o Typically performs all functional duties independently.
o Note: Special credentials (licenses and/or certifications) may be required at the Task Order level on a case-specific basis."