AI Data Engineer Associate

Grant Thornton is seeking AI & Data Engineering Associates with 1-2 years of experience to support client engagements. These full-time positions require travel for client and team needs. The role blends hands-on SQL and Python development, data engineering, and AI-enabled application development. Working under experienced technical leads, associates will help build reliable data solutions and custom AI agents. Academic projects, capstone work, internships, and personal projects can demonstrate relevant skills; prior financial services experience is a plus. Your day-to-day may include: SQL & Python Development

• Develop Python scripts and reusable components for data processing, automation, exception analysis, and integration.
• Write SQL queries to extract, join, transform, and validate data for reporting and financial-system workflows.
• Debug code, handle errors, and document solutions with guidance from senior team members.
• Support data pipelines and source-to-target mappings across approved applications and data platforms.
• Perform reconciliation checks, investigate data quality issues, and document exceptions for review.
• Assist with data transformations and platform development where Snowflake or Databricks is used. Data Engineering & Integration AI & Agent Development
• Help prototype custom AI agents and LLM-enabled workflows for document retrieval, grounded question answering, and task automation.
• Contribute to Microsoft Copilot Studio solutions and integrations where approved and relevant to assigned work.
• Test AI outputs against approved source material, document limitations, and escalate inaccurate or unsupported responses. Testing, Documentation & Delivery
• Write unit tests, troubleshoot defects, and participate in code reviews and version-control workflows.
• Maintain technical documentation, data mappings, test evidence, and operating procedures.
• Work with technical and functional colleagues to turn requirements into small, testable deliverables. Security, Governance & Quality
• Follow applicable access controls, security procedures, and data-handling requirements.
• Use approved tools and data sources; protect sensitive information and escalate issues promptly.
• Support traceability, data quality checks, and human review of AI-assisted work.
• Other duties as assigned You have the following technical skills and qualifications:
• 1-2 years of relevant experience; coursework, academic projects, capstone work, internships, and personal projects are welcome.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related technical discipline.
• Hands-on SQL skills, including joins, aggregations, and working with relational data.
• Hands-on Python skills, including functions, data processing, error handling, and debugging.
• Foundational understanding of databases, data structures, and software development.
• Ability to explain a project you built, the problem it solved, and how you tested it. Can travel as needed. Preferred
• Exposure to Snowflake or Databricks through coursework, projects, internships, or professional experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Automate, custom AI agents, LLM APIs, prompt design, retrieval-augmented generation, or AI evaluation.
• Familiarity with Git, REST APIs, cloud platforms, ETL/ELT pipelines, or automated testing; interest in financial systems and responsible AI.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills. The base salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,760. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. #LI-LG1 #Hybrid