Prompt Engineer

Bray, Ireland

Position Overview:

We are excited to announce an opening for a Prompt Engineer within our team! This is a crucial role in driving the transformational use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence across Workforce Management at Softworks, acting as the bridge between foundation model capabilities and user-facing value. We believe that the true power of AI lies in execution and turning research into functional, scalable, and highly reliable business tools.

The successful candidate will be a driving force behind our AI lab’s rapid prototyping, obsessing over coaxing peak performance from models, chaining complex prompts, and building POCs from idea through testing to production.

Acting as a key driver of execution, this role will combine hands-on prompt design with rapid prototyping to validate new product features and operational efficiencies. The successful candidate will work closely with leadership to turn AI concepts into reliable, production-ready enterprise tools that prove what is possible.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and creative individual to shape the future of AI initiatives within a growing organisation.

Role Responsibilities:

Rapid Prototyping & POC Development

  • Build and iterate Proof of Concepts (POCs) from initial idea to testing and production to validate new AI-driven features, workflows, and integrations before hand-off for full-scale engineering.
  • Conceptualise and deliver robust prototypes that demonstrate what is possible while validating new product capabilities and operational efficiencies using trusted, secure methods.

Advanced Prompt Engineering:

  • Design, test, and optimise complex prompt architectures, e.g., zero-shot, few-shot, Chain-of-Thought, ReAct, across both leading foundational models and local open-source models.
  • Focus heavily on coaxing peak performance out of foundation models and chaining complex prompts to achieve maximum reliability and output quality.

AI Research & Technology Evaluation:

  • Continuously research the latest AI models, tooling, and emerging technologies to accelerate project completion and advance the capability of the AI lab.
  • Maintain an up-to-date understanding of foundation model advancements, local LLM architectures, and prompt optimisation techniques.
  • Ensure compliance with data governance, security standards, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Evaluation, Benchmarking & Testing:

  • Implement rigorous testing frameworks to measure prompt effectiveness, system latency, and token cost.
  • Conduct systematic A/B testing on model iterations and prompt strategies to establish clear performance standards and baseline metrics.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Alignment:

  • Foster collaboration within the Softworks Group and liaise effectively with other departments and stakeholders.
  • Promote knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and continuous learning within the AI team.
  • Partner directly with the AI Team Lead and Development team to translate high-level business requirements into precise, executable technical solutions.
  • Work collaboratively with engineers to ensure seamless transition and hand-off validated POCs into production-grade systems.

Requirements:

Education & Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, or related field.

Professional Skills:

  • Deep expertise in LLMs, including a strong technical understanding of model architectures, strengths, limitations, and emerging industry developments.
  • Proven experience rapidly building and iterating on functional AI/LLM POCs using frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, Semantic Kernel, or direct API integrations.
  • Strong programming proficiency in Python and .NET to build end-to-end functional prototypes across both legacy architectures and modern tech stacks.
  • Demonstrated experience with AI evaluation frameworks, setting up metrics, and using automated grading methodologies to measure response quality, latency, and performance.
  • Expert-level knowledge and practical experience using AI-assisted development tools, such as Cursor and Claude, to accelerate software and POC development while adhering to security and testing standards.
  • Agile problem-solving mindset with the adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing technology landscape.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical and technical troubleshooting skills
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Desirable:

  • Experience with open-source models (local) and local deployment (Ollama, vLLM, and Models).
  • Familiarity with fine-tuning techniques and dataset preparation.

Expectations:

  • Demonstrate agility in a fast-changing technological environment, being open and adaptable to unsuspecting change.
  • Encouraging excellence and goal achievement within Softworks, while striving for the same in your personal development.
  • Communicate regularly and efficiently with all stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • Maintain strong co-operative relationships within the team and other departments to ensure that the organisation continues to function successfully.
  • Ability to analyse complex data, identify issues, and recommend solutions.
  • High level of accuracy and a commitment to producing high quality work.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and concisely.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong ethical standards and a professional approach to work.

About the Softworks Group:

For over 30 years, we have been assisting companies around the world in organising the working day to make them more productive, profitable, and add value to their operations.

Our globally recognised and acclaimed Workforce Management Solutions include:

  • Time & Attendance/Flexible Working
  • Labour Scheduling & Optimisation
  • Absence Management
  • Project Tracking
  • Access Control

We take a customer-centric approach to always exceed expectations and delight our clients with a standout and powerful product. Within the Softworks Group, we are more than just people that work together; we belong to a team, all working towards one common goal – to create, market, and provide unparalleled support for the world’s most advanced and effective Workforce Management Solutions.

Location:

The role will be based in Softworks HQ in Bray, Co. Wicklow. We currently have hybrid working in place, combining office-based working with working from home.

Benefits:

  • Annual Leave starting at 23.5 days
  • Flexible Schedule
  • Hybrid Working
  • Workplace Initiatives to Promote Employee Wellbeing
  • Vibrant Social Club
  • Ministry of Fun
  • Regular Office Lunches
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Pension Contributions

Salary Details:

€36,000 – €41,000 DOE

Agency assistance is not currently required.

Applications:

Applications including cover letter should be sent directly by email to – careers@softworks.com. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow their skills and responsibilities within the company. Softworks is an equal-opportunity employer.