Principal AI Engineer

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The Principal Engineer, Artificial Intelligence serves as a key leader in the development and execution of AI strategies and solutions, driving innovation and excellence across the organization. This role involves spearheading initiatives to design and implement cutting-edge AI models and systems, with a focus on Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Large Language Models (LLMs). The Principal is responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage AI technology for transformative outcomes, including boosting efficiency, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation.

This position demands a forward-thinking expert with deep technical knowledge, a strategic mindset, and the ability to navigate complex, multi-disciplinary projects. Working closely with a world-class team of AI/ML professionals, as well as business stakeholders, the Principal Engineer ensures the seamless integration of advanced AI solutions into operational workflows. As a thought leader, they remain on the pulse of advancements in AI research and technology, guiding efforts to maintain robustness, scalability, and reliability in AI systems while championing collaboration across teams to meet organizational goals effectively.

Essential Duties

Include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead in the execution of the strategic direction for ML, NLP, LLM, and algorithm development within a world-class AI ML team, working closely with well-renowned experts in AI/ML modeling, ML engineering, data science, and data engineering.
• Partner with AI leadership to identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and software engineers to ensure smooth integration of machine learning models into production systems.
• Partner on the execution of custom ML, Gen AI, NLP, LLM Models for batch and stream processing-based AI ML pipelines including data ingestion, preprocessing modules, search and retrieval, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), NLP/LLM model development and ensure the end-to-end solution meets all technical and business requirements, and SLA specifications.
• Complete the development and deployment of AI models and algorithms to solve complex problems.
• Ensure the robustness, scalability, and performance of AI systems and solutions.
• Stay updated on advancements in AI research and technology to guide initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
• Coach, support, and provide mentorship for team members.
• Ensure stakeholder needs are met through effective communication and collaboration.
• Promote understanding of AI capabilities and limitations across the organization.
• Champion ethical AI practices and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Address issues related to data privacy, security, and biases in AI systems.
• Develop policies that promote transparency and accountability in AI applications.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work designated schedule.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and deploying cutting-edge AI solutions that drive measurable business impact.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical considerations in AI systems.
• Experience leveraging large sets of structured and unstructured data to develop data-driven tactical and strategic analytics and insights using ML, NLP, Gen AI, and / or  computer vision solutions.
• 5+ years of project leadership experience including Agile project management, Scaled Agile Frameworks (SAFE).
• Expert ability working with machine learning frameworks, programming languages like Python, and cloud platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with expertise in AI/ML techniques.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills to guide teams and align goals.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and deploying Gen AI solutions at scale.
• Experience fine tuning LLMs, SLMs, teacher-student frameworks and model distillation.
• Familiarity with human in the loop methods for aligning LLMs with human preferences, e.g. DPO.
• Familiarity with Agentic framework platforms and concepts.
• Experience deploying agentic-based solutions is a plus.

Salary Range:

National Ranges: $184,000- $314,000

California Ranges: $228,000.00- $342,000.00

Exact Sciences is proud to offer an employee experience that includes paid time off (including days for vacation, holidays, volunteering, and personal time), paid leave for parents and caregivers, a retirement savings plan, wellness support, and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage. Learn more about our benefits.

Our success relies on the experiences and perspectives of a diverse team, and Exact Sciences fosters a culture where all employees can develop personally and professionally with a sense of respect and belonging. If you require an accommodation, please contact us here.

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We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, protected veteran status, and any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

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