Principal AI Software Engineering

Introduction

We''re seeking a tech lead with 10+ years of experience in AI-driven software engineering to lead initiatives in Irving, TX. You''ll drive AI adoption, architecture, and best practices across cloud-native platforms and distributed systems. Expertise in AI coding tools, Java/Spring Boot, Python, and Kubernetes is required. You''ll mentor teams, partner with stakeholders, and contribute to engineering strategy. The role involves assessing AI platforms, defining standards, and integrating AI into the SDLC. You''ll lead workshops, drive innovation, and improve developer experience. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are a must. Max pay rate is $70/hr on C2C for local consultants only.

Responsibilities

• Identify cloud capabilities and benchmark industry adaptation
• Assess Kubernetes fit
• Review ICS/ACT technologies (Remote Services, Minestar)
• Challenge solutions and drive alternative architecture options
• Partner with GIS, Security, and other teams on solution design
• Evaluate and benchmark AI coding platforms
• Define AI best practices, standards, governance, and adoption frameworks
• Identify and execute AI pilot initiatives (Atlas, Physical AI, enterprise)
• Design agentic, spec-driven, and autonomous development workflows
• Measure developer productivity, quality, SDLC efficiency, and outcomes
• Create reference architectures, implementation patterns, and guidance for AI-native development
• Integrate AI into development lifecycle with architects, managers, product, and platform teams

Requirements

Required Skills

• Cursor, Claude Code, or GitHub Copilot (or similar AI coding tools)
• Java/Spring Boot
• Python
• Distributed systems
• APIs and integration services
• Cloud-native platforms
• Software architecture and engineering best practices
• Prompt engineering
• Agentic development workflows
• Engineering metrics and productivity measurement
• Infrastructure and cloud
• Docker, containers, Kubernetes
• IT security, server/storage
• Security standards
• DevOps

Preferred Skills

• Specification-driven development
• Robotics, Physical AI, Simulation, or Digital Twin
• AWS or Azure
• Developer experience platforms

Soft Skills

Required

• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Agile/Scrum team collaboration
• Verbal and written communication
• Cross-functional/distributed team collaboration
• Ambiguity tolerance
• Ownership and accountability
• Technical documentation

Desired

• Mentoring junior engineers
• Technical leadership and design reviews
• Stakeholder management and vendor collaboration
• Continuous improvement
• Global team experience

Disqualifiers (Red Flags)

• No hands-on backend development
• Limited API, integration, or distributed systems experience
• Front-end only experience
• No Agile/Scrum experience
• Cannot contribute to cloud-native service development or troubleshooting