[Remote] Principal Engineer, Applied AI
Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. National Debt Relief (NDR) is seeking highly skilled and technically curious Principal Applied AI Engineers to join our growing Data & AI organization. This role is responsible for the hands-on implementation of enterprise-grade Generative AI solutions, transforming client experiences, optimizing operations, and driving intelligent automation.
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and deploy Generative AI solutions across NDR’s client-facing and internal platforms
- Build and optimize applications using large language models (LLMs), vector databases, prompt engineering, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines
- Own hands-on development of AI-powered chatbots using modern conversational AI frameworks, ensuring production-grade performance, scalability, and compliance
- Lead development of AI agents for both digital and voice channels, supporting real-time interactions with clients and internal users
- Work with external vendors to evaluate GenAI platforms and APIs, integrate off-the-shelf solutions, and drive production rollouts
- Build proof-of-concept (POC) applications to evaluate emerging use cases in document classification, summarization, AI-powered knowledge assistants, and more
- Optimize prompt structures, parameter tuning, and model usage to improve cost-effectiveness and accuracy of deployed AI solutions
- Partner with the ML/AI Ops Engineer to ensure robust data pipelines, deployments, and observability for GenAI applications
- Work closely with the Senior Generative AI Product Manager to align technical implementation with user needs, timelines, and business priorities
- Lead architectural design discussions with digital, product, and engineering teams to align AI integration across the enterprise
- Drive technical execution and architectural alignment across multiple teams and stakeholders on high-impact AI initiatives
- Tackle ambiguous or technically complex problems and provide guidance on solution design and tradeoffs
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in data science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field required
- 8 years of experience in machine learning, NLP, AI engineering, software engineering, and data engineering with recent focus on LLMs / Generative AI
- Proven, hands-on experience building and deploying production-grade AI chatbots in the past 2 years
- Expert-level Python programming skills, including experience with modern ML and GenAI libraries (e.g., LangChain, Transformers, OpenAI, Hugging Face)
- Proficiency in working with vector databases (e.g., FAISS, Pinecone, Chroma, Weaviate) and building RAG pipelines
- Experience with prompt engineering, model tuning, API orchestration, and LLM evaluation strategies
- Solid SQL skills and understanding of how to work with data stored in platforms like Snowflake
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, collaborative environments with product managers, engineers, and vendors
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex AI behavior and performance to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation
- Computer competency and ability to work with a computer
- Prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Punctuality expected, ready to report to work on a consistent basis
- Attain and maintain high performance expectations on a monthly basis
- Work in a fast-paced, high-volume setting
- Use and navigate multiple computer systems with exceptional multi-tasking skills
- Remain calm and professional during difficult discussions
- Take constructive feedback
- Available for full-time position
- Experience in financial services or a related industry
- Experience deploying voice AI or conversational AI agents in telephony environments
- Familiarity with Snowflake, dbt, and data pipelines used in support of AI solutions
- Experience working with or integrating Salesforce data and workflows
- Exposure to GenAI use cases including document understanding (OCR/NLP), summarization, or personalized insights
- Prior experience supporting regulated environments or customer service applications
Benefits
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off, Sick Days, and Vacation
- 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Pre-tax Transit Benefits
- No-Cost Life Insurance Benefits
- Voluntary Benefits Options
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Discount
- Wellness Incentive Program
Company Overview