Shoptimism

AI Engineer - Personalized Recommendations (Contract Role) About Shoptimism We're creating the next-generation e-commerce experience with AI that provides expert product guidance and personalized shopping assistance. Founded by e-commerce and AI experts, we're making online shopping intuitive and effortless for everyone. The role We are looking for an AI Engineer to build both the intelligent systems and backend infrastructure that power our AI-driven shopping experience. You'll work across the full stack - from training recommendation models to architecting the systems that serve them at scale. Responsibilities AI-Native Backend : Design systems that power intelligent product recommendations and conversational shopping experiences via text and voice E-commerce Integrations : Connect seamlessly with major platforms to access inventory, pricing, orders, and customer data Real-Time Architecture : Build infrastructure that delivers instant AI responses during live shopping conversations Scalable Foundation : Create systems that grow from hundreds to millions of shopping interactions Qualifications 4-6 years of building production-grade AI/ML systems or recommendation engines E-commerce Platform Experience : Deep understanding of how online stores operate and integrate API Integration Expertise : Experience building reliable, secure connections with third-party platforms Cloud-Native Mindset : You think in terms of scalable, distributed systems from day one System Design Skills : Can architect solutions that balance performance, reliability, and rapid iteration Opportunity Direct Impact : Your code directly enables AI to help customers find perfect products Technical Growth : Work with cutting-edge AI systems and modern architecture patterns Contract Flexibility : Competitive rates with potential for full-time conversion Equity Opportunity : 4-year vesting options for strong performers