* Python, 5+ years. Production code on a shared codebase: typing, pytest, git branches and pull requests, code review.* LLM application engineering, 12+ months shipped. Direct experience with at least one major model API (Anthropic, OpenAI, Azure OpenAI): tool use, structured output, streaming, token and cost management, prompt caching.
* Agentic systems. Built multi-step agents with tools, memory and approval gates; familiar with MCP and at least one agent framework or SDK.* Retrieval (RAG). Embeddings, vector stores, hybrid search, chunking strategy, and how to evaluate retrieval before building on it.
* Evaluation. Labelled datasets, metrics, regression suites for non-deterministic systems; can explain why a number moved.* Backend and hosting. FastAPI or equivalent, Docker, REST, authentication and authorisation, logging, deployment to Azure (App Service, Container Apps or AKS), CI/CD.
* Data handling. Messy multi-sheet Excel and CSV at scale with openpyxl or pandas; reconciliation that adds up; SQL.* AI-assisted development. Works fluently with AI coding assistants day to day and reviews their output critically.
Nice-to-have skills* Azure DevOps: test plans, suites, work items, REST API.
* HCM or payroll platforms (Dayforce, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, PeopleSoft) or public-sector HR and pay.