Principal AI Engineer

We’re building AI systems that don’t sit in demos; they run the business.

This is a Principal-level, hands-on engineering role focused on solving the most complex, high-impact problems and turning them into reliable, production-grade systems. You will operate at the intersection of AI and distributed systems, designing and building solutions that integrate into real workflows across HR, Finance, IT, and Legal.

You are accountable for both how systems are designed and how they perform in production, such as reliability, latency, cost, and failure handling.

This role goes beyond execution. The systems you build and the decisions you make will influence how similar problems are approached across teams, raising the bar for how AI is applied in production.

We’re looking for someone who is deeply hands-on, highly resourceful, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. You connect dots quickly, move from problem to solution without waiting for perfect direction, and take ownership of outcomes, not just code.

If you care about impact, autonomy, and seeing your work run at scale in real environments, this is that role.

This position will offer flexibility for hybrid work schedules to include both in-office presence and telecommute/virtual work, to be based from either Houston or Dallas, TX.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build production AI systems end-to-end, from initial concept through deployment and operation
• Own the architecture and implementation of the systems you build, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and maintainable
• Translate ambiguous, high-impact problems into practical system designs and working solutions
• Drive technical direction through your work, influencing how similar systems are designed and built across teams
• Integrate AI capabilities (LLMs, RAG, agents) into real applications, services, and workflows
• Design and implement services, APIs, and event-driven systems that connect AI with enterprise platforms
• Own system behavior in production, including reliability, latency, cost, and failure handling
• Establish strong observability, evaluation, and feedback loops to continuously improve system performance
• Debug and resolve complex issues across data, models, infrastructure, and application layers
• Raise the bar for engineering quality through hands-on development and technical leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree plus at least 10 years of software engineering experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
• Proven track record of building and operating production software systems (e.g., services, APIs, distributed systems), with AI/LLMs as a core component, not limited to experimentation or modeling
• Strong background in backend or distributed systems engineering (services, APIs, event-driven systems, data pipelines)
• Experience designing and implementing AI-enabled systems (e.g., RAG, agent-based systems) within real applications
• Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous problems and drive them through design, build, and production operation
• Proven ownership of systems in production, including debugging, incident response, and performance optimization
• Ability to influence technical direction through execution and technical depth
• Practical AI mindset, strong curiosity paired with judgment to apply emerging AI capabilities where they deliver real, measurable impact

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building reusable components or shared capabilities that accelerate development across teams
• Experience integrating with enterprise systems (ERP, HR, CRM, workflow platforms)
• Strong understanding of observability, evaluation, and performance optimization for AI systems
• Experience operating systems under real-world constraints (latency, cost, scale)

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position
• Sponsorship for US work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.