AI Applications Engineer

The Information Technology Department of Arnold & Porter has an opening for an AI Applications Engineer in the Washington, DC office or may work 100% virtual/remote in a firm-approved U.S. state as part of the “Gideon” office. The AI Applications Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing AI-powered applications that enhance legal workflows and deliver value to our clients. This role bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technologies and practical legal applications, requiring both technical expertise and an understanding of legal processes.

As a key member of our information technology team, the AI Applications Engineer will work at the intersection of legal practice and emerging technologies, transforming complex legal challenges into streamlined AI solutions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing and maintaining AI-driven web applications by designing and implementing user-friendly web interfaces using JavaScript, .NET, and Python, and ensuring high performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Managing and prompting LLMs by crafting effective prompts, managing context windows, and implementing advanced strategies to optimize model outputs.
• Mitigating hallucinations using RAG and other techniques by integrating retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows to enhance accuracy, reduce hallucinations, and improve the reliability of AI responses.
• Integrating OpenAI APIs and RESTful services by building, configuring, and deploying solutions that leverage OpenAI API and adhere to industry standards and specifications for seamless integration.
• Applying robust security principles by ensuring the security of web applications, APIs, and data flows, implementing best practices for secure software development and compliance with industry standards.
• Utilizing Git for source control by managing code repositories, maintaining version control, and facilitating effective collaboration within the development team using Git.
• Deploying and managing hosting environments by overseeing the deployment and optimization of applications on Azure App Services and on-premises servers, ensuring reliability and scalability.
• Staying updated with AI advancements by continuously learning and applying emerging techniques in LLMs, web technologies, and security to maintain cutting-edge expertise.
• Collaborating with attorneys and legal professionals to understand their needs and translating them into technical requirements.
• Training and supporting legal staff on the effective use of AI applications
• Monitoring and optimizing application performance, and implementing improvements based on user feedback.
• Conducting regular security assessments and addressing vulnerabilities promptly.
• Developing documentation for AI applications and processes.
• Participating in cross-functional teams to drive innovation and integration of AI across the firm.

Qualifications:

• Education/Experience
  • Four-year college degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) preferred.
  • Prior working experience in a legal or professional services environment is a plus.
• Technical Skills
  • Minimum of three (3) years of experience in in web application development using JavaScript, .NET, and Python.
  • Demonstrated experience with OpenAI APIs and other LLM implementations.
  • Strong understanding of RAG architectures and prompt engineering techniques.
  • Proficiency in Git version control and collaborative development practices.
  • Experience with Azure cloud services and on-premises deployment.
  • Ability to identify practical solutions to complex problems which may require the introduction of new technology, refinements to existing technology solutions or manual processes
• Communication & Writing
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to non-technical audiences.
  • Outstanding customer service, written, and verbal communication skills with business stakeholders at all organizational levels.
  • Ability to identify and apply the appropriate method of communication.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to…