Contract Position: Backend Engineer & MLOps Lead (Temporary Assignment)

Position Overview We are seeking a contract Backend Engineer & MLOps Lead to design and deploy secure, scalable backend infrastructure for a digital-health technology initiative. This is a temporary, project-based role focused on building foundational systems for data ingestion, model deployment, and adaptive analytics. The engagement will last approximately 3–6 months, with potential for extension based on project milestones. Scope of Work

1. System Architecture & Backend Development Design and implement modular backend services and data pipelines using cloud technologies (AWS, GCP, or Azure). Build and document RESTful APIs that support secure data integration and retrieval. Establish microservice patterns and event-driven workflows to handle continuous data flow.
2. Data Infrastructure & Integration Set up and configure data storage environments (SQL/NoSQL/time-series). Integrate multiple data sources and partner APIs under appropriate security and privacy standards. Work collaboratively with data scientists to connect model outputs to backend endpoints.
3. Machine-Learning Operations (MLOps) Implement CI/CD pipelines for model training, validation, and deployment. Automate monitoring and performance tracking for productionized models. Maintain reproducibility and version control for models and data pipelines.
4. Security, Compliance, & Reliability Apply encryption, role-based access controls, and best practices for data protection. Ensure infrastructure supports compliance with applicable privacy regulations (HIPAA, GDPR, or equivalent). Establish basic observability—logging, metrics, and error tracking—for reliability testing.
5. Collaboration & Deliverables Work closely with data-science, product, and technical leads to align infrastructure with analytic objectives. Provide concise documentation and hand-off materials at project completion. Participate in weekly check-ins to report progress, blockers, and proposed optimizations. Engagement Details Contract Type: Independent Contractor (1099) Estimated Duration: 3–6 months (with possible extension) Expected Commitment: 15–25 hours per week (flexible schedule) Location: Remote (U.S. or international) Reporting: Works directly with the CEO and collaborates with data-science and architecture consultants. Deliverables: Working backend infrastructure, documented APIs, deployment pipeline, and security configuration ready for production scale. Qualifications Required: 5+ years of backend software engineering experience (Python, Go, or Node.js). Strong background in cloud platforms and containerized infrastructure (AWS/GCP/Azure, Docker, Kubernetes). Experience designing or maintaining ML pipelines and CI/CD processes. Understanding of secure data handling and privacy standards. Preferred: Familiarity with data from sensors, mobile devices, or digital-health applications. Experience in regulated-data environments (health, financial, or IoT). Ability to work autonomously and deliver structured documentation under tight timelines. Compensation Hourly or project-based rate commensurate with experience and scope. Payment milestones tied to deliverables and timeline checkpoints. Contractor Status This position is non-employee and non-benefited. The contractor is responsible for all taxes, insurance, and equipment necessary to perform the work. No agency or employment relationship is created by this agreement. Interested candidates should email michi.mcclure.jd@gmail.com with the subject line Backend Engineer (Contract).