Principal Engineer - AI & Data

Position: Principal Engineer — AI & DataLocation: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid)Comp: $200K – $250K base + equity participation + comprehensive benefitsMust Have: Greenfield experience building unified data architectures AND deploying AI agents into production.

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Relocation Assistance may be Considered for Out-of-State Candidates | No Visa Sponsorship
OverviewOur client, a leading AZ-based private equity firm, is hiring a Principal Engineer — AI & Data to build its AI-powered operating system — unifying data and deploying production AI agents that transform how the firm invests and operates.
You’ll own the architecture and build from the ground up through deployment, collaborating across the entire company and partnering directly with leadership to turn an ambitious AI vision into the firm’s competitive edge.
What You’ll DoDesign and build a unified data layer connecting business applications, documents, spreadsheets, and emailBuild enterprise search and retrieval tools that make firm knowledge accessible and usefulDeploy AI agents that execute multi-step workflows and take actions across business systemsAutomate deal intake, document summaries, underwriting preparation, and operational tasksOwn implementation, deployment, monitoring, and ongoing reliabilityEstablish data quality, governance, permissions, and secure access in a Microsoft/Azure environmentPartner closely with department heads and internal stakeholders to prioritize opportunities and drive adoptionCollaborate with IT and compliance to ensure secure, responsible AI use
What We’re Looking ForProven experience personally designing and building unified data architectures across disparate systemsHands-on experience deploying and maintaining production AI agentsStrong software engineering fundamentals and a track record of shipping reliable, scalable systemsExperience building in Microsoft/Azure environments and working with modern data platformsDeep familiarity with agent frameworks such as LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, or comparable toolsUnderstanding of enterprise identity, permissions, data governance, and securityClear communication skills and the ability to translate business needs into working productsAbility to operate independently with limited engineering supportFinancial services experience is a plusBachelor’s degree in Computer Science or an advanced Computer Science degree
Why This RoleBuild the foundation and shape how an entire firm uses data and AI—with ownership of the architecture, direct partnership with leadership, and room to grow as the technology team expands. xzbcwsv
Competitive base salary plus investment fund participation offering potential upside equivalent to approximately 50% of base, tied to fund performance. Benefits include medical insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, and unlimited PTO.