AI Automation & DevOps Developer (12-month Contract)

If you've ever looked at a repetitive process and thought, "Surely we can automate this instead of making someone do it 400 times a month," you're probably our kind of person.

First Focus is looking for an experienced AI Automation & DevOps Developer to join our Technology team in Manila.

We're looking for someone who doesn't just get excited about AI, but knows how to turn it into useful, reliable solutions. You'll build AI-powered applications, intelligent automations and internal tools that make a genuine difference to how our business operates.

You'll also use modern AI development tools to work smarter, experiment with new approaches and help us figure out where AI genuinely adds value.

Because while we're enthusiastic about AI, we're slightly less enthusiastic about building a chatbot for something that could have been solved with a sensible SQL query.

A little about Us

We're Australia's #1 MSP (Cloudtango, 9 years running), with over 500 staff across 4 countries.

We've grown consistently for more than 15 years, and we're continuing to invest in software development, automation and artificial intelligence to improve how we work and support our clients.

We believe in hiring smart, capable people, giving them the tools and support they need, and actually listening when they suggest a better way of doing something.

One of our values that fits this role particularly well is Live Curiously. We encourage people to ask why, challenge existing processes and experiment with new ideas.

You'll also see plenty of Keep it Simple, because the best automation is usually the one that solves a real problem without creating five new ones.

Learn more about First Focus and our values at https://www.firstfocus.com.au/about-us/.

What you'll be doing

You'll work across AI development, automation, software engineering and DevOps, helping turn ideas into practical solutions that improve business operations.

Your day might include:

• Building AI-powered applications, intelligent assistants, agents and automated workflows
• Using AI coding assistants and development tools to design, build, test and improve software
• Exploring AI models, platforms and technologies to identify the best solutions for different business challenges
• Integrating AI models with internal applications, databases, business systems and APIs
• Developing solutions using generative AI, large language models (LLMs) and natural-language processing
• Building AI-assisted tools that improve knowledge management, service delivery and decision-making
• Designing, developing and maintaining internal applications and services
• Writing automation scripts using Python, PowerShell, Bash or PHP
• Automating repetitive operational and administrative processes
• Creating integrations between applications, databases and RESTful APIs
• Working with SQL Server, MySQL and NoSQL databases
• Supporting DevOps practices including automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, deployments and monitoring
• Using Git for version control, collaboration and code reviews
• Applying appropriate security, privacy, governance and human oversight to AI solutions
• Testing and monitoring solutions to make sure they're reliable, useful and delivering real business value

You'll also work with developers, engineers, project managers and other teams to identify opportunities for improvement.

We want someone who's comfortable experimenting, but equally comfortable recognising when an idea isn't worth pursuing.

Sometimes the smartest use of AI is knowing when not to use AI.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a practical, technically capable developer who enjoys solving problems and turning ideas into working solutions.

You'll ideally bring:

• Commercial experience in software development, automation or DevOps
• Hands-on experience using AI tools throughout the software development lifecycle
• Experience developing or implementing AI-enabled applications or business solutions
• A solid understanding of generative AI, large language models, prompting and AI-assisted development
• Strong scripting skills in Python, PowerShell, Bash or PHP
• Experience developing integrations using RESTful APIs
• Good database knowledge, including SQL and technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL or NoSQL
• Practical experience using Git and collaborative development workflows
• An understanding of DevOps principles, CI/CD pipelines and automated deployments
• Experience automating processes across multiple applications and systems
• Familiarity with YAML and configuration-driven automation
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• The ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt as AI tools continue to evolve
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to share ideas and knowledge

Most importantly, you'll be someone who takes ownership and focuses on delivering useful outcomes.

We're not looking for someone who can simply list every AI tool released in the past six months. Although, admittedly, that would be an impressive memory exercise.

Even better if you have...

Experience with any of the following would be a bonus:

• GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini
• Excellent English communication skills, able to explain technical concepts clearly to different audiences.
• Building AI agents, intelligent assistants or multi-step AI workflows
• Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), embeddings or vector databases
• AI orchestration frameworks and development platforms
• Testing, evaluating and monitoring AI model outputs
• Responsible AI practices, including privacy, security and governance
• Working within an MSP or technology services environment
• IT service management or professional services automation platforms
• Advanced PowerShell scripting
• Cloud platforms and infrastructure-as-code tools
• Containers and modern application deployment
• Robotic process automation
• Open-source frameworks
• Microsoft 365, Azure or SharePoint

You don't need to tick every box. AI is moving quickly enough that anyone claiming to know absolutely everything is probably due for a software update themselves.

Why you'll enjoy working with us

You'll have the opportunity to work on real business challenges, experiment with emerging technology and see the impact of the solutions you create.

We're not interested in AI projects that exist purely to make a presentation look impressive.

We want practical improvements that save time, reduce manual effort, improve service delivery and make people's working lives easier.

You'll benefit from:

• Hybrid working arrangements, subject to the agreed contract terms
• Opportunities to work with modern AI tools and emerging technologies
• Exposure to AI development, automation, software engineering and DevOps
• Collaboration with experienced developers, engineers and technology professionals
• Opportunities to experiment, contribute ideas and influence how First Focus adopts AI
• A supportive team that values curiosity, collaboration and continuous improvement
• The opportunity to build solutions used across an international business

We also believe in Never Stop Growing, so curiosity, learning and professional development are part of how we work.

Where you'll be working

This role is based in Metro Manila, with a hybrid working arrangement.

Our offices are located at:

Ortigas Office 29th Floor, Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma, Topaz Road, Ortigas, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Alabang Office 26th Floor, Axis Tower One Building, Filinvest Ave, Alabang, Muntinlupa

And yes, hybrid working means you can avoid the daily Manila traffic adventure on some days. We consider that a perfectly respectable use of technology.

Sound like your kind of role?

If you enjoy building software, experimenting with AI, automating repetitive work and finding smarter ways to solve real problems, we'd like to hear from you.

We're looking for someone who can combine technical skills with curiosity, good judgement and a genuine desire to make things better.

You don't need to know every framework or have experience with every AI model. If you've built useful solutions, understand the fundamentals and enjoy learning what's next, send us your application.

Neurodiversity: First Focus welcomes applications from Neurodiverse candidates. We recommend & appreciate disclosure along with the application so that a copy of our Neurodiversity Statement can be provided outlining the flexible options we can offer to best showcase your skills.

AI in Recruitment: We use AI-assisted recruitment tools to support application review. These tools do not make hiring decisions. All applications are handled by our recruitment team in compliance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act.