Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems Engineer

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems Engineer at the City of Tucson's Information Technology (IT) Department is responsible for the design, development, implementation, administration, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions that support organizational goals and business operations. This position collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop, enhance, and support AI-driven applications and systems, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, secure, and aligned with business requirements.

Work is performed under the supervision of the AI Program Manager., Defines and owns the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for AI initiatives

• . Translates business needs into technical requirements and user stories
• . Designs, develops, and deploys AI models and applications using modern frameworks
• . Administers and maintains existing AI projects, ensuring operational stability, performance optimization, and timely updates
• . Develops AI Governance and is responsible for AI operations like model monitoring, training, and retraining
• . Coordinates the integration and utilization of data pipelines, APIs, and structured and unstructured data to support enterprise applications and AI initiatives. Integrates AI technologies with core city systems (ERP, GIS, CRM, & ITSM platforms, etc.
• ) Collaborates with cross-functional teams, engineers, designers, and stakeholders to deliver high-impact solutions
• . Ensures AI solutions comply with established governance, privacy, security, transparency, and ethical standards
• . Monitors performance, gathers feedback, and iterates on product features
• . Stays current with emerging AI trends, tools, and technologies
• . Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Virtual interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of August 17, 2026, and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams (available as a free download).

Hiring interviews, if applicable, may be conducted on-site at the City of Tucson Information Technology Department in Tucson, Arizona.

The City of Tucson does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Relocation expenses will not be be provided for this position. Candidates are responsible for all costs associated with relocating to the Tucson area, if applicable.

Candidates who are placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List and receive a contingent offer of employment must successfully complete the following:

An extensive background investigation, including local, state, and national criminal history and fingerprint checks., Bachelor's degree, Three (3) years of relevant experience

Equivalency

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis., Bachelor's Degree

Experience: Three (3) years of relevant experience.

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with generative AI, LLMs, or NLP applications Proven experience as a Product Owner or Technical Product Manager in AI or data-driven products Strong proficiency in Python and AI/ML libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow) Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) and MLOps pipelines Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Familiarity with agile methodologies and product lifecycle management Certifications in AI/ML or product management is a plus, This position has been designated to require a criminal background check. The City of Tucson is a Second Chance Employer.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan repayment program
• On-the-job training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• 401(k)
• Health insurance, The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings. With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours. You can learn more about our benefits at