CVS Health

Principal Software Engineer

CVS Health$144K — $288K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Colorado, US
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of hands-on IT experience across systems analysis, application design, and engineering leadership
  • 7+ years experience with microservices architectures and scalable APIs
  • 7+ years managing stakeholder requirements for secure and performant technical solutions
  • 5+ years leading large-scale, mission-critical applications emphasizing security and performance
  • 5+ years of cloud initiative delivery on AWS and/or Google Cloud
  • 5+ years of DevOps and CI/CD automation expertise
  • 3+ years of software development focused on Generative AI and LLMs

Responsibilities

  • Lead delivery of scalable AI services using AWS Bedrock and Google Cloud Vertex AI
  • Architect and implement RAG solutions integrating data from various sources
  • Design multimodal input processing solutions and secure service interfaces
  • Define reference architectures and standards for multi-cloud AI development
  • Champion Responsible AI practices including safety filters and compliance policies
  • Collaborate with Security and Legal teams for HIPAA compliance
  • Build observability frameworks and drive FinOps practices
  • Mentor engineering teams to elevate coding standards and foster a learning culture
  • Monitor AI advancements and adapt platform strategy accordingly

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement savings options
  • Wellness programs
  • Additional resources for family well-being
Full Job Description
Position Summary

CVS Health is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale Generative AI solutions that power next-generation healthcare experiences. This role goes beyond hands-on coding—you will define technical strategy, establish architectural standards, and guide multiple teams in building secure, scalable, and cost-effective AI platforms across AWS (Bedrock) and Google Cloud (Vertex AI API). You will partner with product, security, compliance, and enterprise architecture teams to ensure solutions meet business objectives, regulatory requirements, and performance goals.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with leadership skills—capable of influencing cross-org architecture decisions, mentoring engineering teams, and driving responsible AI practices in production.


Key Responsibilities
  • Lead end-to-end platform delivery of highly scalable, secure AI services and applications leveraging AWS Bedrock (Foundation Models, Knowledge Bases, Agents, Guardrails) and Google Cloud Vertex AI (Gemini via Vertex AI API, Agent Builder, Vector Search, Search & Grounding)
  • Architect and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions, integrating proprietary data from sources like Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage/BigQuery, and using Bedrock Knowledge Bases and/or Vertex AI Search & Grounding with Vector Search to improve relevance and accuracy
  • Design solutions that use function/tool calling and multimodal input processing across both platforms (e.g., Bedrock Converse API and Vertex AI API), and integrate with enterprise systems via secure, well-governed service interfaces
  • Define reference architectures, golden paths, and guardrails for multi-cloud AI development; drive adoption through design reviews, Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and clear SLOs for latency, resiliency, safety, and cost
  • Champion Responsible AI: implement safety filters, policy-enforced guardrails, data minimization, and red-teaming playbooks using capabilities such as Bedrock Guardrails and Vertex AI Safety
  • Partner with Security, Privacy, and Legal to ensure compliance with HIPAA/PHI, encryption, access control, and continuous auditability
  • Build evaluation and observability frameworks (groundedness, hallucination rates, relevance, toxicity, drift, cost attribution, A/B testing) and drive FinOps practices (prompt optimization, caching, batching, model selection) across clouds
  • Mentor Staff/Senior Engineers, elevate coding and design standards, and foster a culture of learning (design clinics, brown bags, communities of practice)
  • Monitor the rapidly evolving AI landscape (LLMs, agent frameworks, platform features) and translate advances into actionable platform strategy and roadmaps

Required Qualifications
  • 10+ years of progressive, hands-on IT experience spanning systems analysis, application design, application development, and leading engineering teams
  • 7+ years designing and developing modern microservices architectures and cost-effective APIs for enterprise-scale solutions
  • 7+ years managing stakeholder requirements and translating them into robust, secure, and scalable technical solutions
  • 5+ years building or leading large-scale, mission-critical applications with a focus on performance, resiliency, and security
  • 5+ years of hands-on delivery for enterprise cloud initiatives on public cloud platforms (AWS and/or Google Cloud), including architecture, deployment, and optimization
  • 5+ years implementing DevOps and CI/CD automation, including containerization and orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)
  • 3+ years of software development with a strong emphasis on Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs); familiarity with AI/ML frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) and productionizing AI systems
  • Demonstrated ability to influence architecture decisions, lead cross-functional teams, and deliver complex solutions in compliance-conscious environments

Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with AWS Bedrock (Converse API, Agents, Knowledge Bases, Guardrails) and/or Google Cloud Vertex AI (Vertex AI API for Gemini, Agent Builder, Vector Search, Search & Grounding, Model Garden)
  • Expertise in RAG architectures, including embeddings, chunking, retrieval/reranking, vector databases, and caching strategies—implemented on Bedrock and/or Vertex AI
  • Proven track record implementing Responsible AI: safety guardrails, bias/fairness testing, red-teaming, human-in-the-loop workflows, and policy compliance
  • Strong background in observability and evaluation for AI systems: tracing/telemetry, token/inference cost attribution, A/B testing and offline/online evals (groundedness, hallucination), and drift monitoring
  • Experience with FinOps for AI workloads (prompt optimization, caching/batching, model selection, distillation/quantization strategies, streaming)
  • Familiarity with infrastructure as code and platform engineering (e.g., Terraform, CDK, GitOps) and event-driven architectures.
  • Background in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare) and working knowledge of HIPAA/PHI, data governance, encryption, and access control
  • Multi-cloud awareness (e.g., Azure OpenAI) and vendor/model evaluation frameworks
  • Relevant certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect 6 Professional, AWS Machine Learning 6 Specialty, AWS Certified AI Practitioner, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, or Google Cloud ML Engineer

Education
  • Bachelor 6s degree or equivalent experience (Highschool diploma plus 4 years relevant work experience)

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$144,200.00 - $288,400.00


This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls.  The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.  This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.  This position also includes an award target in the company 6s equity award program.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full 6time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well 6being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.


Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on .

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 10/31/2026

About CVS Health

Omnicare provides comprehensive pharmaceutical services to patients and providers across the United States. As the market-leader in professional pharmacy, related consulting and data management services for skilled nursing, assisted living and other chronic care settings, Omnicare leverages its unparalleled clinical insight into the geriatric market along with some of the industry's most innovative technological capabilities to the benefit of its long-term care customers. Omnicare also provides key commercialization services for the bio-pharmaceutical industry through its Specialty Care Group.

CVS Health Careers

Joining CVS Health presents a unique opportunity to advance your career in a company where innovation, leadership, and growth go hand in hand. As a leader in the healthcare industry, CVS Health is more than just a pharmacy. We are a team of professionals dedicated to improving lives and optimizing health outcomes.

Work You’ll Do

At CVS Health, you will be part of a culture that values diversity and inclusivity, fostering an environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. Engage in meaningful work that directly impacts lives, driving innovation in healthcare services and solutions.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re looking for a position in pharmacy services, corporate leadership, or in-store management, CVS Health offers a variety of employment opportunities that will help you harness your skills and thrive professionally. Our job opportunities span across a wide range of professional fields and geographic locations, ensuring that your career at CVS Health aligns with your professional goals and lifestyle.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with CVS Health through our internship programs. These opportunities are designed for ambitious students eager to develop their skills in a real-world setting. Internships at CVS Health are not only about gaining work experience but also about making meaningful contributions to our ongoing projects.

Professional Growth and Development

CVS Health is committed to the professional growth of our employees. With access to cutting-edge technology, industry-leading experts, and comprehensive diversity training, our team members are equipped to lead and innovate. We support career advancement through professional development programs, leadership training, and opportunities for networking and internal mobility.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy a range of benefits that reflect our commitment to their well-being and success. From health and wellness benefits to professional development programs, CVS Health is dedicated to ensuring our team members have the resources they need. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and continuous learning, making CVS Health a place where you can grow and succeed.

Join Our Team

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the open positions at CVS Health that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest news, career tips, and industry insights from CVS Health. Personalize your experience by subscribing to job alert emails, tailored to your preferences and professional interests. Discover the rewarding opportunities that await at CVS Health, where your career development is always a priority.

Search CVS Health Jobs

Don’t just look for a job. Look for a place where you can be a part of something bigger. Visit our careers page to find the position that’s right for you and join a team that values innovation and leadership in healthcare.

READ CAREERS BLOG

Stay ahead in your career with insights from those who know CVS Health best – our team. Learn from their experiences and get insider tips that can help you succeed in your next interview, craft a standout resume, and build a career you’re proud of at CVS Health.
Learn more about CVS Health
Size
300,000 employees
Market Cap
$122 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7.1 billion
Founded
1963
5 Year Trend
+10.5%
Revenue
$268.7 billion
NASDAQ

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