Job Summary

We are seeking a Principal AI Engineer (AI Developer IV) to provide enterprise-wide technical leadership for AI initiatives while remaining actively involved in hands-on software development. This role is responsible for defining AI architecture, leading large-scale AI transformation programs, developing production-ready AI solutions, and establishing engineering standards, governance, and best practices. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in enterprise software engineering, Python development, cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, Generative AI, and infrastructure automation.

Key Responsibilities
• Define and lead the organization's enterprise AI architecture strategy and long-term technical roadmap.
• Design, develop, and deploy scalable AI-powered applications, distributed systems, and cloud-native solutions.
• Provide technical leadership for enterprise AI transformation initiatives across multiple engineering teams.
• Develop production-quality software using Python and modern software engineering practices.
• Architect scalable APIs, microservices, and distributed application platforms.
• Partner with engineering, product management, research scientists, AI/ML engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver strategic AI initiatives.
• Establish AI governance, security standards, responsible AI practices, and enterprise engineering guidelines.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend strategic technology investments and adoption strategies.
• Drive the adoption of AI-assisted software development tools and modern engineering practices.
• Design cloud-native architectures using AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Develop and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using Terraform.
• Build and optimize CI/CD pipelines to support enterprise software delivery.
• Lead architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and engineering governance activities.
• Mentor senior engineers and cultivate technical leadership across engineering organizations.
• Guide engineering teams through architectural decisions involving AI services, cloud platforms, distributed systems, and enterprise data ecosystems.
• Support multiple Agile project teams operating within quarterly planning and delivery cycles.
• Promote engineering excellence through best practices, code reviews, technical standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 15+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience designing and developing AI-powered applications or enterprise AI solutions.
• Expert-level Python development experience.
• Extensive experience designing scalable enterprise applications, distributed systems, and microservices architectures.
• Strong experience with Generative AI technologies and AI application architecture.
• Experience designing and deploying cloud-native applications on AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Strong experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform.
• Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience leading large-scale technical programs and enterprise architecture initiatives.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture, cloud engineering, and distributed computing principles.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Claude, Codex, GitHub Copilot, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence executive leadership, business stakeholders, and engineering teams.
• Ability to work remotely during Central Time (CST) core business hours.

Preferred Qualifications
• Recognized expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with enterprise-scale implementation experience.
• Experience establishing AI governance frameworks and responsible AI practices.
• Experience leading enterprise AI transformation programs.
• Strong background in enterprise data platforms, data engineering, and data ecosystems.
• Experience with modern front-end technologies such as Vue.js, React, or Angular.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers, architects, and technical leaders.
• Deep understanding of emerging AI technologies, enterprise AI strategy, and cloud modernization initiatives.
• Experience working in Agile software development environments and leading cross-functional engineering teams.