Principal AI/ML Engineer | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Reddit r/remotejobs

Job Description

Hello! We’re looking for a Principal Engineer to lead the design, deployment, and ongoing improvement of our machine learning and LLM systems on our AI/ML Platform. This is an engineering-focused role, not a research position. You’ll set the standards for evaluating, deploying, monitoring, and improving GenAI systems at scale. Your work will include model integration, evaluation methods, inference systems, safety features, telemetry, and workflow automation. You’ll work across AI engineering, distributed systems, and platform architecture. You’ll also partner with Product and Engineering leaders to ensure our AI systems are reliable, easy to monitor, safe, and cost-effective for enterprise use. **Job requirements** Required Experience * 10+ years of software engineering AI/ML experience * Proven leadership of production AI/ML systems at scale * Deep expertise in LLM productionization. Including: RAG, finetuning, evaluation, guardrails, and model monitoring. * Strong Python experience * Experience with modern AI frameworks. Including: PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, Scikit-learn. * Hands-on AI/MLOps experience.  Including: CI/CD for ML, deployment automation, experiment tracking, and monitoring. * Strong experience with cloud platforms.  Including: AWS/GCP/Azure. * Strong experience with Kubernetes and other distributed systems * Experienced in building evaluation pipelines and adding observability instrumentation. * Technical leadership by shaping the architectural direction across multiple teams. **Big Plus** * Experience with ML workflow orchestration platforms. Including: Kubeflow, MLflow, Vertex AI, SageMaker * Expertise in model governance, bias evaluation, compliance, and drift detection * Domain expertise in NLP, agentic systems, recommender systems, or similar applied AI areas * Open-source AI/ML contributions * Master’s or PhD in ML/AI-related field **Job responsibilities** * Define and own architecture for scalable AI/ML systems. Including: * Inference pipelines * Evaluation frameworks * Model lifecycle workflows * Monitoring and observability systems * Translate business requirements into robust AI platform designs and delivery plans * Make strategic decisions on: * Model integrations and gateways * Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) approaches * Evaluation methodologies * Safety and guardrail systems * Establish standards for model readiness, evaluation gates, rollout/rollback mechanisms, and drift detection * Build and deploy production-grade LLM capabilities integrated into distributed systems with clear SLOs and telemetry * Design scalable AI/MLOps and AIOps practices across training, testing, deployment, and monitoring * Improve data pipelines, feature workflows, and lineage processes supporting model evaluation and inference * Instrument tracing and model observability using OpenTelemetry and modern telemetry standards * Own evaluation pipelines tracking latency, cost, accuracy, hallucination rates, and prompt/version drift * Provide clear trade-off analyses balancing model performance, cost efficiency, safety, and maintainability * Create clear, well-structured technical proposals that help guide executive decisions on investments and roadmap planning. * Guide engineers in AI production, fostering good experimentation habits, and designing distributed systems. * Boost engineering quality with thoughtful reviews, clear documentation, and standards built on solid practices. * Shape the AI production architecture of a category-defining GenAI infrastructure company * Define how enterprise-grade AI systems are observed, evaluated, and remediated * Build mechanisms that scale beyond individual engineers * Influence roadmap and platform strategy at a formative stage **Job benefits** * Fully remote * ESOP equity * Flexible hours * Generous PTO * Global offsites * Education support * Clear advancement opportunities Compensation negotiable based on experience with a base annual salary of $250,000 + Equity. This is a FTE offer. (Not Contrator) Must be hands on. Fully remote position limited to candidates located in the USA only. For more information visit: [Principal AI/ML Engineer - LiloWork](https://lilowork.com/projects/principal-ai-ml-engineer/)

Expert Career Tips for Principal AI/ML Engineer Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Principal AI/ML Engineer, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Principal AI/ML Engineer requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Principal AI/ML Engineer position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.