Wells Fargo

Principal AI Engineer

Wells Fargo$159K — $305K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of Engineering experience, including architecture and hands-on delivery
  • 7+ years in senior engineering roles
  • 4+ years developing or deploying AI-powered tools and understanding AI risks
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience with Cloud architectures (Google Cloud, Azure, AWS)
  • 3+ years blending deep technical skills with executive-level storytelling

Responsibilities

  • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership for AI-driven solutions
  • Lead end-to-end design for complex challenges including Generative AI systems
  • Translate technology expertise into scalable engineering solutions
  • Guide implementation of innovative solutions integrating AI and automation
  • Recommend industry best practices and emerging technologies
  • Serve as a key technical advisor in enterprise-wide initiatives

Benefits

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life, critical illness, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement
Full Job Description

About this role:

This role focuses on designing and delivering enterprise‑scale strategic initiatives in reusable AI patterns that deliver business and customer value.

This is a hands‑on Principal Engineer role for a technical leader who designs, builds, and scales AI‑driven platforms, while operating at enterprise scope. The Principal Engineer serves as a technical authority who codes, prototypes, and reviews architecture, not just oversees execution


In this role, you will:

  • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership, guiding the development and influence of applications, networks, information security, databases, operating systems, web technologies, and emerging AI capabilities to address highly complex business and technical needs across multiple groups
  • Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex, unique challenges through end‑to‑end solution design, including Generative and Agentic AI systems, cloud‑native platforms, and legacy modernization efforts that require long‑term vision, creativity, innovation, and advanced analytical thinking
  • Translate advanced technology expertise, deep understanding of enterprise business objectives, organizational structure, and the broader technology ecosystem into scalable engineering solutions, such as reusable architectures, AI-enabled platforms, and production‑ready systems
  • Provide vision, direction, and technical leadership to senior leaders on implementing innovative business solutions, embedding AI and automation into product delivery workflows, decision support, and developer productivity while ensuring alignment with security, compliance, and responsible AI standards
  • Maintain deep awareness of industry best practices, emerging technologies, and AI advancements, proactively recommending innovations that modernize operations, improve efficiency and quality, and create competitive advantage for the organization
  • Strategically engage with professionals and managers at all levels of the enterprise, serving as an expert technical advisor and escalation point for complex platform, data, and AI decisions while mobilizing and guiding large‑scale, cross‑organizational initiatives and communicating progress to executive leadership


Required Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
  • 7+ years of senior engineering experience, including architecture and hands‑on delivery of large‑scale platforms and systems
  • 4+ years of experience developing or deploying AI‑powered tools, chatbots, LLM‑based automation, or agentic workflows, including understanding of AI risks, observability needs, and stakeholder communication
  • 3+ years of hands‑on experience across Cloud architectures including Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, AWS, etc. and internal platforms such as Tachyon
  • 3+ years of experience operating at both keyboard‑level technical depth and executive‑level technical storytelling

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience working within agile product operating models in large enterprise environments, including agile software delivery and cloud infrastructure
  • Financial services experience preferred; Business Banking domain experience is beneficial but not required
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor senior and staff engineers, raising the technical bar of the organization
  • Proven strategic thinking, analytical problem‑solving, and sound technical judgment in fast‑paced settings
  • Proven experience with cloud infrastructure and containerization, including enterprise compute, storage, and IaaS environments
  • Demonstrated curiosity and innovation mindset for advancing Generative and Agentic AI solutions within regulated enterprise contexts
  • Strong organizational savvy and customer centricity, with the ability to navigate complex enterprise structures and align technology to business outcomes


Job Expectations:

  • Ability to travel as needed
  • This position offers a hybrid work schedule
  • This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship

Job Location:

333 Market St - San Francisco, California 94105

300 S. Brevard - Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

2600 S Price Rd - Chandler, Arizona 85286

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.

$159,000.00 - $305,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

25 Jun 2026

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Careers

Joining Wells Fargo means becoming part of a distinguished financial institution that has been a cornerstone of innovation and leadership in the banking industry. At Wells Fargo, we offer a plethora of job opportunities designed to empower your career growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Work You’ll Do

At Wells Fargo, you will be part of a team that values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we invest in their professional growth through comprehensive leadership and diversity training programs that are recognized industry-wide.

Explore a Multitude of Career Paths

Whether you're interested in a position in finance, IT, customer service, or management, Wells Fargo has career opportunities in various fields. Our team members benefit from job stability, competitive benefits, and a culture that values and rewards performance and dedication.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Wells Fargo internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry exposure, professional skills development, and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment offers. Interns at Wells Fargo work on real projects, solve actual challenges, and gain the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. Wells Fargo offers robust training programs and resources to help every team member excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. Growth at Wells Fargo is not just about climbing the career ladder but expanding your skills and expertise to add value to our team and customers.

Benefits and Rewards

Wells Fargo is committed to the well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Additionally, we provide unique perks like employee discounts, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Join Our Team

Discover the opportunities waiting for you at Wells Fargo by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who bring creativity, passion, and a drive to serve our customers.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Wells Fargo Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that align with your career preferences and get insider tips on crafting the perfect resume and acing your interview.

Networking and Innovation

At Wells Fargo, networking and innovation go hand in hand. We encourage our employees to connect across departments and roles to foster new ideas and strategies that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Empower Your Career

Step into a role at Wells Fargo where your skills will be honed, your achievements recognized, and your career can flourish. We're not just filling positions; we're building leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world. Join Wells Fargo today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of banking.
Learn more about Wells Fargo
Size
246,577 employees
Market Cap
$155.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.3 billion
Founded
1852
5 Year Trend
-5.9%
NASDAQ

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