Principal Software Engineer/Principal AI Engineer

Posted Yesterday
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2 Locations
In-Office or Remote
115K-192K Annually
Expert/Leader
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Information Technology • Other • Analytics
The Role
Leads technical execution for an embedded AI innovation squad, taking prototypes from discovery through production. Designs reusable agentic AI architectures covering orchestration, tool use, memory, retrieval, integrations, security, and governance. Works with stakeholders to define requirements, makes architecture decisions, develops reference implementations, and establishes measurable outcomes. Provides infrastructure and budget recommendations, resolves complex technical issues, manages delivery dependencies, serves as the primary AI and coding expert, and mentors engineers while evaluating emerging technologies.
Summary Generated by Built In

Are you excited about building intelligent systems powered by innovative AI technologies?
Do you enjoy designing models that turn complex data into impactful solutions?

                        

About the team:

Embedded Innovation Teams are cross-functional squads embedded within our segments to rapidly turn internal AI experimentation into validated, reusable solutions, building the capabilities we need to deliver customer value and growth. We work problem-first rather than tool-first, directly inside segment and function teams, improving the internal workflows that help our people deliver better outcomes for customers, faster.

About the role: 

As a Principal AI Engineer, you will be the technical lead for an embedded Innovation Squad, owning technical execution from discovery through to production. You will assess and harden existing AI prototypes, deliver new ones, and establish the agentic AI patterns, orchestration, tool use, memory, and retrieval that other squads reuse. You are the senior source of expertise on AI architecture, integration, and delivery.

You will work directly with internal stakeholders and end users in the host function, finalizing requirements, making the architectural calls, and codifying validated solutions into reusable patterns, reference implementations and starter kits. You may also provide sizing, infrastructure, and budget recommendations, and you will mentor and elevate the engineers around you.

 Key Responsibilities:

  •  Owning technical execution from discovery to production; build, assess, and harden prototypes and proofs of concept, and deliver new ones.
  •  Designing and governing reusable agentic AI patterns (orchestration, tool use, memory, retrieval).
  •  Ensuring delivery meets architecture, security and data-governance standards; recommend infrastructure, hosting and data residency.
  •  Codifying validated solutions into patterns, reference implementations, and starter kits so they can be picked up and scaled across other functions.
  • Providing design input, finalizing requirements, and work directly with internal stakeholders and end users in the host function.
  • Writing specifications, fix complex bugs, and design complex data models.
  • Acting as the primary technical contact for external resources and the squad's go-to on coding and AI.
  • Establishing baselines and report measurable outcomes for every initiative.
  • Maintaining visibility of in-flight AI pilots within the function to prevent duplication and surface candidates for reuse.
  • Ensure alignment with enterprise non-negotiables: security, compliance and central technology infrastructure standards.
  • Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and mentor and elevate team members.

Requirements:

  • Engineering experience: 10+ years in software engineering, with hands-on AI system design, build, or integration, and a track record of taking AI prototypes to production in enterprise environments.
  • Education: BS in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent; advanced degree preferred.
  • Agentic AI / LLMs: LLM orchestration, prompt engineering, context-window management and production guardrails; MCP, tool-augmented agents and RAG at enterprise scale.
  • Enterprise integration: Integrating AI into enterprise systems via APIs and data pipelines, with strong security, data governance and residency practices.
  • Cloud: AWS, Azure, or GCP, including managed AI/ML services.
  • Delivery: Agile, CI/CD, modern SDLC, and TDD.
  • Data and architecture: Modelling across relational, columnar and vector stores, grounded in sound architectural principles.
  • Ways of working: Thrives in ambiguity, framing the problem, extracting defined spec, and prioritises shipping validated outcomes over perfect solutions, moving pilots to production at pace.
  • Languages: Python, Java, TypeScript/JavaScript, SQL, and relevant AI SDKs.
  • Leadership and delivery management: Plans and sequences work, manages scope, dependencies and priorities, removes blockers, and drives delivery to keep innovation moving.
  • Communication and influence: Presents concisely to senior management, host-function stakeholders, and cross-functional teams, and builds buy-in and drives technical decisions across.
  • Commercial awareness: Budget-aware; partners with internal and external resources, including managed services and staff augmentation.
  • Measurement: Establishes baselines and instruments solutions to track productivity, cost, and quality outcomes from pilot through scale.

Why Join Us?

Join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. If you are ready to advance your career and make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.

Work in a way that works for you
 

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

  • Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive.

Working for you

We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Comprehensive Pension Plan
  • Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
  • Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Family Care Leave
  • Personal Choice budget
  • Internal communities and networks
  • Various employee discounts
  • Recruitment introduction reward
  • Employee Assistance Program (global)

About the business-

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education, and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

U.S. National Base Pay Range: $115,400 - $192,300. Geographic differentials may apply in some locations to better reflect local market rates. This job is eligible for an annual incentive bonus.

We know your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. We are delighted to offer country specific benefits. Click here to access benefits specific to your location.

We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you have a disability or other need that requires accommodation or adjustment, please let us know by completing our Applicant Request Support Form or please contact 1-855-833-5120.

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We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Skills Required

  • 10+ years of software engineering experience
  • Hands-on AI system design, development, or integration experience
  • Track record of taking AI prototypes to production in enterprise environments
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
  • Experience with LLM orchestration, prompt engineering, context-window management, and production guardrails
  • Experience with MCP, tool-augmented agents, and enterprise-scale RAG
  • Experience integrating AI into enterprise systems through APIs and data pipelines
  • Strong security, data governance, and data residency practices
  • Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP and managed AI/ML services
  • Experience with Agile, CI/CD, modern SDLC, and TDD
  • Data modeling across relational, columnar, and vector stores
  • Proficiency in Python, Java, TypeScript/JavaScript, SQL, and relevant AI SDKs
  • Ability to plan and sequence work, manage scope and dependencies, remove blockers, and drive delivery
  • Ability to communicate with senior management and cross-functional stakeholders and influence technical decisions
  • Commercial and budget awareness when working with internal and external resources
  • Ability to establish baselines and measure productivity, cost, and quality outcomes
  • Advanced degree

Elsevier Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Elsevier and has not been reviewed or approved by Elsevier.

  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Feedback suggests paid time off spans vacation, holidays, sick days, bereavement, military leave, and volunteer time. Family-related leave options are also emphasized as part of the package.
  • Healthcare Strength Feedback suggests medical, dental, vision, life insurance, wellness initiatives, and an EAP form a comprehensive health offering. Gym support and wellbeing hubs reinforce an ongoing health and wellness focus.
  • Retirement Support Feedback suggests retirement programs include a 401(k)/retirement plan and pension options, with long-term savings vehicles such as an employee stock purchase plan also available. These elements contribute to a sense of financial security beyond base pay.

Elsevier Insights

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The Company
HQ: Amsterdam
Year Founded: 1880

What We Do

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, and deliver better care. Because informed decisions lead to better outcomes, Elsevier is a leader in information and analytics for customers across the global research and health ecosystems. Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems.

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