IVA and Digital Platform Developer at Astound in Baltimore, MD

IVA and Digital Platform Developer Location: PA-Baltimore Drive, WB A Day in the Life of the IVA and Digital Platform Developer: Design and Development: Lead the end-to-end development of Interactive Virtual Assistant (IVA) Digital/chat solutions, including intent recognition, entity extraction, dialogue flow management, API Connections and sophisticated response generation, specifically focusing on building robust Conversational AI experiences. Platform Expertise: Leverage and master IVA/Digital development platforms (e.g., Kore.ai, Google Dialogflow, Amazon Lex, Microsoft Bot Framework) to build, configure, train, and deploy high-performing conversational agents. Platforms are not limited to what is outlined. System Integration: Integrate IVA/Digital seamlessly with API Connections to various backend systems, utilizing REST and SOAP Web Services for robust functionality, efficient data exchange, and a unified user experience across different platforms. Natural Language Understanding (NLU) & Generation (NLG): Implement, fine-tune, and optimize NLU models to improve intent accuracy, entity recognition, and overall comprehension. Develop effective and natural-sounding NLG templates and strategies for engaging responses, potentially leveraging Small Language Models (SLMs) for specialized tasks. Data Handling: Work with data formats like JSON and integrate with databases such as SQL / Oracle / Redis / MongoDB for efficient data storage and retrieval. Development and organization of data, technology information and/or metrics to be delivered to audiences, including but not limited to upper management, team members, and vendor partners UAT/QA Testing & Quality Assurance: Conduct rigorous testing, debugging, and performance tuning of IVA/Digital applications across various scenarios and channels. Identify and resolve complex issues, ensuring high availability and reliability. Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Analyze conversation logs, user interactions, and feedback data to identify patterns, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. Proactively refine dialogue flows, add new intents, and enhance IVA capabilities based on data-driven insights. Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with product managers to translate business requirements into technical specifications and contribute to the product roadmap for our Conversational AI initiatives. Partner with UX/UI designers to ensure intuitive and user-friendly conversational interfaces. Work with data scientists to leverage advanced AI/ML models. Research & Innovation: Stay up to date on the latest advancements, trends, and best practices in Conversational AI, NLP, machine learning, and related emerging technologies, including the application of SLMs and other innovative models. Research and recommend the adoption of new tools and techniques where beneficial to our IVA/Digital solutions. Travel required up to 25% Other duties as assigned What You Bring to the Table: Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience on a Conversational AI Platform. Experience to Generative AI (Gen AI) and its concepts, specifically with conversational AI Products. Experience to Natural Language Experience with Node.js as a backend technology for chatbot development. Experience with REST and SOAP Web Services Experience in Design and Solution Architecture for creating chatbots & voicebots. Minimum of 3+ years of professional experience in developing and deploying IVR/Digital, Voicebots, Chatbots, or Conversational AI solutions. Strong knowledge of Web Services using REST and SOAP. Strong expertise in Java, Python, and Node.js. Proficiency in data formats, specifically JSON. Experience with SQL databases and NoSQL such as Redis / MongoDB. Solid theoretical and practical understanding of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Understanding (NLU) concepts, including intent classification, entity extraction, and dialogue management, within the context of Conversational AI. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment. Demonstrated experience working with Small Language Models (SLMs) for specific conversational tasks or optimizations. Ability to travel up to 25% We're Proud to Offer a Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: 401k retirement plan, with employer match Insurance options including: medical, dental, vision, life and STD insurance Paid Time Off/Vacation: Starting at 80 hours per year, and increases based on tenure with the organization Floating Holiday: 40 hours per year Paid Holidays: 7 days per year Paid Sick Leave: Astound allows a number of paid sick hours per calendar year and varies based on state and/or local laws Tuition reimbursement program Employee discount program *Benefits listed above are for regular full-time position Base Salary: The base salary range in Pennsylvania and Texas for this position is $70,000 - $80,000 (annually), plus opportunities for bonus, benefits and commission, if applicable. The base pay range represents the low and high end of the hiring range for this job. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to relevant skills, experience, and capabilities. It is specific to Pennsylvania and Texas and may not be applicable to other locations. Our Mission Statement: * Take care of our customers * Take care of each other * Do what we say we are going to do * Have fun Astound is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.  Discrimination of any kind has no place here.  We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. We strive to create a culture that celebrates our differences and promotes fairness and inclusivity in all aspects of our business. About Astound: Astound is a leading provider of internet, WiFi, mobile, and TV services, dedicated to connecting communities and empowering lives through innovative technology.  We also keep businesses connected with dependable fiber infrastructure and internet solutions backed by award-winning service, helping organizations thrive in an increasingly connected world. At the forefront of digital transformation, we continuously evolve our offerings to meet the dynamic needs of our customers—delivering reliable connectivity and groundbreaking digital experiences. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond infrastructure. We invest in our people through personalized training, coaching, and a supportive work environment that fosters growth and opportunity. Employees are empowered to represent a superior telecommunications company while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. We offer a robust benefits package that includes rewards, recognition programs, and employee discounts—ensuring our team members are supported in both their professional and personal journeys. At Astound, we believe in creating astounding possibilities for everyone, everywhere. Additional Locations: TX- San Marcos