As artificial intelligence becomes more capable and more widely adopted, Chattanooga’s IT job market is transforming. For both employers and job seekers, this means opportunity and some shifts in what skills and roles are most in demand. Here’s a look at how things are changing, what local companies are hiring right now, and what you can do to stay ahead.
How AI tools are shifting demand for IT roles locally
Automation of routine tasks and support
Generative AI and automation tools are increasingly capable of handling basic support, ticket triage, routine system monitoring, and simple scripting tasks. This reduces the relative demand for pure entry level help desk roles or manual monitoring roles, although those positions are still important. Help desk and desktop support personnel are being asked to handle more complex issues or incorporate automation and scripting skills using tools like PowerShell or Python.
Rise in roles focused on data, analytics, and AI/ML
As businesses collect more data, AI and ML tools allow them to extract insights, make forecasts, detect anomalies, and personalize customer experiences. Roles like data engineers, data scientists, ML engineers, AI trainers, and AI product managers are becoming more common.
Security, cloud, and infrastructure with AI focus
AI brings new risks including bias, adversarial attacks, and data privacy concerns. Cloud deployment of AI systems also requires secure, scalable infrastructure. Demand is growing for cloud architects, cloud security engineers, DevOps and MLOps engineers, and security analysts who understand AI risks.
Hybrid roles
Roles that combine traditional IT duties with AI awareness are increasing. System administrators, network engineers, and software developers who can integrate AI tools or workflows are more attractive to employers than those who avoid them.
Local employers and the roles they are trying to fill
Chattanooga companies are already adapting their hiring strategies. Some recent postings include:
- Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU): hiring Security Analyst I
- NSC Global: hiring Desktop Support Engineers (Level 2)
- Diversified Supply, Inc.: hiring IT Support and Automation Specialist (on site)
- Unum Group: hiring Cyber Security Analyst II
- Contract and remote roles: available for Data Scientist and AI Trainer positions
These examples show that Chattanooga employers are emphasizing cybersecurity, automation, and data skills while still valuing support engineers with stronger technical depth.
Advice for job seekers: certifications and skills in high demand in East Tennessee
Job seekers who want to stay competitive should consider focusing on certifications and skills such as:
- Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Administrator, Google Cloud Professional) – Many AI tools are cloud hosted, so understanding infrastructure, cost control, and security is key
- Cybersecurity certifications (CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, CISSP, cloud security certifications) – Protecting systems and ensuring compliance are high priorities in AI deployments
- Data and ML foundations (Python, SQL, data science certifications, machine learning coursework) – Companies want professionals who can build pipelines, clean data, and validate models
- Automation and DevOps/MLOps training (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD tools, Terraform, model deployment tools) – Deploying and maintaining AI systems requires these skills
- Soft skills and AI ethics knowledge – Communicating with nontechnical teams and addressing fairness and transparency issues is increasingly important
Practical steps for job seekers include building a portfolio of AI or ML projects, staying current with generative AI tools, and networking with local tech communities. Groups like Chattanooga’s AI Network provide excellent opportunities to connect with others in the field.
Ready to grow your IT career in Chattanooga?
AI is not just a trend in Chattanooga’s IT market. It is reshaping which roles are in demand, what skills employers need, and how job seekers should prepare. For companies, it is time to prioritize candidates who can combine traditional IT strengths with AI, automation, and cloud expertise. For professionals, investing in certifications and skills related to security, data, and AI workflows will make you a stronger candidate.
Patriot Talent is here to help local job seekers connect with employers who value these evolving skill sets. If you are ready to move forward in your IT career, we are ready to support you.