Starbucks Corporation

principal engineer-AI Sourcing & Procurement

Starbucks Corporation • $130K — $160K *
Nashville, TN 37211In-Person
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
2 months ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems, or equivalent experience.
  • 10+ years of technology-related work experience.
  • 2+ years of leveraging large language models (LLMs) in development.
  • Experience building scalable services on public cloud infrastructure (preferably Azure and AWS).
  • Deep expertise in containerization and orchestration tools (Kubernetes, Docker).
  • Proficient in using data and AI platforms (e.g., Databricks, Azure) and relevant ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

  • Define technology vision and roadmap for AI-enabled sourcing and procurement platforms.
  • Partner with various teams to translate business needs into AI capabilities.
  • Lead design decisions for AI systems and manage evolving technologies.
  • Mentor and lead a team of engineers, fostering a culture of ownership.
  • Establish operational metrics to balance innovation with stability.
  • Ensure AI systems include security and data protection by design.
  • Maintain high developer productivity through CI/CD and automated testing.

Benefits

  • Four days per week onsite work schedule.
  • Hands-on leadership opportunity in a rapidly evolving field.
  • Direct impact on cost and operational resilience across global supply chain.
  • Access to modern AI tools and technologies.
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams including data science and procurement.
Full Job Description
Now Brewing - Engineering Principal, AI Sourcing & Procurement Platforms (Nashville, TN)

Location: Nashville, TN (Onsite - four days per week)

We are seeking a hands-on Engineering leader to head the development of AI-powered sourcing and procurement platforms, modernizing how Starbucks plans, sources, negotiates, and executes across a complex global supply chain. This leader will build and scale secure, reliable, and high-velocity AI systems that directly impact cost, availability, and operational resilience.

This role is based in Nashville and sits at the intersection of AI engineering, enterprise platforms, and real-world business execution, with an expectation of rapid iteration, strong technical rigor, and close partnership with procurement, supply chain, and business teams

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Technical Strategy & Thought leadership:

  • Define and drive the technology vision and roadmap for AI-enabled sourcing and procurement platforms, balancing speed, scalability, security, and reliability.
  • Partner closely with procurement, supply chain, finance, product, and data science teams to translate business needs into AI-driven capabilities (e.g., sourcing optimization, supplier intelligence, contract insights).
  • Lead design decisions for agentic and LLM-powered systems, ensuring platforms can evolve safely and predictably as models, tooling, and use cases change.
  • Operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-moving environment, with wicked-fast deployment cycles and a bias toward responsible delivery over perfection.


Team Leadership and Management:

  • Lead and mentor a team of platform, infrastructure, and AI engineers, fostering a culture of ownership, learning, and execution.
  • Set clear technical standards and expectations while empowering engineers to move quickly and safely.
  • Coach partners through ambiguity, trade-offs, and real-world constraints common in applied enterprise AI.
  • Like all good AI roles, this one is a hands on and requires servant leadership in demonstrating what good looks like.


Engineering Management:

Infrastructure & Operational Excellence

  • Enable high developer productivity through CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, Kubernetes, and automated testing, with a strong emphasis on deployment speed and reliability.
  • Establish and use operational metrics (DORA metrics, SLOs, SLIs, error budgets) to balance innovation with stability.
  • Implement best-in-class monitoring, logging, and alerting to ensure platform health and rapid incident response.
  • Understand model tradeoffs, token management and .


Applied AI: Rigor, Safety & Trust

  • Ensure back testing, AI evaluations, and performance benchmarking are integral to model and agent development-not optional afterthoughts.
  • Embed AI security, data protection, and access controls by design, partnering closely with Security and Architecture teams.
  • Drive disciplined practices around prompt management, model versioning, regression testing, and controlled rollout of AI capabilities.
  • Ensure AI systems are explainable, auditable, and appropriate for enterprise sourcing and procurement use cases.


Technical Environment & Tooling

  • Hands-on familiarity with modern AI development tools, including GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and similar AI-assisted engineering tools, and an expectation to model their effective use.
  • Build and operate systems leveraging LLMs, agentic orchestration, and intelligent workflows aligned to real business outcomes.
  • Collaborate across data platforms and enterprise systems supporting procurement and supply chain operations.


Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 10 years of technology related work experience
  • Minimum 2 years leveraging LLMs in development
  • Must love to code and work through engineering challenges using GenAI


Experience required:

  • 8+ years of building scalable services on top of public cloud infrastructure, preferably Azure and AWS
  • 8+ years' experience designing, building and operating large-scale distributed systems and infrastructure
  • 5+ years' experience with data and AI platforms (e.g. Databricks, Azure)
  • Deep knowledge of containerization & orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker), IaC and CI/CD technologies.
  • Experience working with AI and Machine Learning frameworks (e.g. LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, TensorFlow, PyTorch), and APIs
  • Proficiency with at +1 scripting language (e.g. Python, Powershell, Go)
  • Proficiency in RAG pipelines, experience with multi-agent orchestration (MCP, A2A, etc), and skill/tool use is critical.
  • Ability to identify, analyze and resolve complex technical issues, ensuring optimal performance, scalability and user experience.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional partners, including those with and without technical backgrounds.
  • Demonstrated willingness to learn continuously, adopt new technologies and approaches, and share knowledge within the technical

    community.
  • Growth-minded, solution-oriented approach with a proven track record of driving projects from concept to impact.
  • Experience in managing geographically distributed teams.


About Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks is an international chain of restaurants that retails handcrafted coffee, tea, and fresh food items. With 23,132 stores in 65 countries and territories, Starbucks locations serve hot and cold drinks, whole-bean coffee, microground instant coffee, espresso, caffe latte, full-leaf teas, evolution fresh juices, pastries, and snacks. Most stores also sell pre-packaged food items, hot and cold sandwiches, and items such as mugs and tumblers. The stores also offer a variety of beers, wines, and appetizers, and markets books, music, and film. Some of the company’s products are seasonal or specific to the locality of the store. Starbucks-brand coffee, ice cream, and bottled cold coffee drinks are also sold at grocery stores. Starbucks was founded by Orin Smith in October 1971 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Starbucks Corporation Careers

Join the vibrant team at Starbucks Corporation, a premier destination for passionate, innovative professionals seeking impactful careers in the coffee industry and beyond. As a global leader in coffee and a champion of sustainable practices, Starbucks offers unparalleled job opportunities that promise both personal and professional growth.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a fulfilling career path at Starbucks Corporation where you can blend your skills with a culture of excellence and innovation. Our team members are at the heart of our business, and we empower them through leadership development, diversity training, and continuous learning opportunities.

Transform Your Career

With Starbucks, you're not just taking a job; you're joining a culture that nurtures innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and community involvement. Our baristas, managers, and corporate employees all play integral roles in our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

Innovate and Lead

At Starbucks, innovation isn't just about coffee. It's about revolutionizing the way we connect with customers and grow our business. Lead the charge in creating and implementing new ideas as part of a team that values bold thinking and a fresh approach to challenges.

Professional Growth and Development

Starbucks is committed to the growth of its employees. Whether through professional development programs, internships, or leadership training, we provide the tools needed for you to advance your career within the company. Our robust benefits package supports the health, financial, and lifestyle needs of our team members and their families.

Join Our Team

Explore the array of job opportunities at Starbucks Corporation—from baristas to management positions. We are hiring creative, driven individuals who are ready to make meaningful contributions. Bring your unique perspective and talents to Starbucks and help us continue our legacy of innovation and exceptional service.

Networking and Career Advancement

Starbucks is a place where networking and professional relationships flourish. Connect with leaders and peers who can help guide your career path, and take advantage of our comprehensive training programs that prepare you for future leadership roles.

Internship Opportunities

Gain real-world experience and build your resume through a Starbucks internship. Our interns work on projects that matter, gaining skills that are crucial to succeeding in the coffee industry and beyond. It’s an opportunity to see what a career at Starbucks might look like, with many interns going on to full-time positions within the company.

Stay Connected

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Join us and be part of a company that prides itself on growth, innovation, and a positive employment culture.

Keep Up to Date

Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here.

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Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Starbucks Corporation.

Explore Starbucks Careers

Whether you're beginning your career journey or looking to enhance it, Starbucks offers a dynamic path filled with opportunities for success. Join us and become part of a team that is passionate about coffee, community, and making a positive impact in the world.
Learn more about Starbucks Corporation
Size
383,000 employees
Market Cap
$113.2 billion
Industry
Food & Beverages
Net Income
$664.8 million
Founded
1971
5 Year Trend
+7.6%
Revenue
$23.1 billion
NASDAQ
SBUX
* Ladders Estimates

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