Principal AI Engineer, Business Accounts

Aimlroles; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex in Sydney is seeking a Principal AI engineer to define the technical and strategic vision for next-generation AI solutions, driving internal efficiency and transforming user experiences.

You will design robust APIs and system architecture, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help shape the core business platform that underpins our financial automation and scalable products.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in backend software development with a focus on AI.
• Proven track record of delivering major impact.
• Proficiency in Python, TypeScript or JavaScript.
• Experience in design of large-scale distributed, high concurrency systems.
• Experience in vector databases.
• A relevant degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead AI solution development to enable growth and internal efficiency.
• Design and implement robust API and system architecture for new AI applications.
• Assist in AI application roadmapping and strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to leverage existing AI technologies and explore new ones.
• Provide prompt and effective solutions to application issues, maintaining client satisfaction.
• Operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with a focus on innovation.

Skills

Backend software development

AI & language models

Python

TypeScript/JavaScript

Distributed systems

Vector databases

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or related field

Job description

About Airwallex

Airwallex is the AI-native financial operating system for a real-time, intelligent economy. More than 675,000 businesses, including McLaren Racing, Qantas, SHEIN, and TikTok, use us, directly or through our platform partners, to run their financial operations or build and monetize financial products of their own.

We started in Melbourne in 2015 to build the infrastructure global commerce runs on. We're the regulated backbone behind global payments: not by accident, but by design. A decade plus, 85+ licenses, and a financial infrastructure spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

We're co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, with more than 2,300 people across 27 offices. We hire builders with founder-level energy, people who move fast with good judgment, dig in with real curiosity, and make calls from first principles rather than waiting to be told what to do. Read our operating principles to see it in full.

About the team

As part of the Business Accounts Team, you will help build the intelligent orchestration layer for Airwallex’s business account ecosystem - connecting Cash, Yield, Lending, and broader Airwallex product surfaces into a unified financial experience for businesses. This includes building systems that can support liquidity optimisation, automated transfers, and dynamic responses to business activity across payments, card spend, collections, and future product lines.

This is a high-impact opportunity to join a new strategic domain at an early stage. You will help shape the architecture, APIs, and technical foundations of a core business platform that sits at the centre of Airwallex’s business customer experience and powers the next generation of financial automation.

What you'll do

As a Principal AI engineer, you will define the technical and strategic vision for next-generation AI solutions. By harnessing cutting-edge language models, you will drive internal efficiency and transform user experience for our customers. Your work will set the standard for AI engineering excellence, paving the way for the next wave of intelligent products and services.

This role is based in Sydney.

Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the creation of AI solutions to enable growth and drive internal efficiency across the business




• Design and implement robust API and system architecture for new AI applications.




• Assist in AI application roadmapping and strategy.




• Collaborate effectively with a diverse, cross-functional team to leverage existing AI technologies, and research and implement new ones, to meet product goals.




• Providing prompt and effective solutions or workarounds in response to application issues or software bugs, maintaining high client satisfaction.




• Embrace the challenges of a fast-paced, high-growth environment with a focus on innovation.

Who you are

We're looking for people who meet the minimum qualifications for this role. The preferred qualifications are great to have, but are not mandatory.

Minimum qualifications:

• 10+ years in backend software development, with a passion for AI and language technologies




• Proven track record of delivering major impact




• Proficiency in Python, Typescript or Javascript




• Experience in design and development of large-scale distributed, high concurrency, high load, high availability systems;




• Experience in vector databases




• A relevant degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or related fields

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in financial services, lending, payments, or credit products




• Experience with SaaS product offering as a platform.

#sydney

Equal opportunity

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.