Principal AI Scientist

NAB; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NAB is seeking a Principal AI Scientist in Melbourne to lead design, development and deployment of advanced AI solutions that deliver meaningful business impact. You will own end-to-end solution design and guide teams to deliver high-quality, production-grade AI outcomes.

In this senior technical role, you will bridge cutting-edge AI capability with real-world application, setting standards for building, deploying and embedding AI across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in AI/ML solution design and delivery in enterprise environments, including agentic and generative AI.
• Proven ability to architect and deploy production-grade AI systems at scale.
• Advanced programming in Python and experience with agentic and generative AI frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and guiding high-performing technical teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, translating technical concepts into business value.
• Experience navigating model governance, risk, and responsible AI frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end solution design of agentic and broader AI systems, from problem framing through deployment and scaling.
• Translate complex business problems into robust, scalable AI architectures and models.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to AI scientists and engineers.
• Partner with stakeholders across business and technology to align solutions with strategic outcomes.
• Oversee and contribute to solution development, validation, and optimisation across ML, GenAI and agentic AI.
• Ensure solutions meet governance and risk standards and responsible AI practices.
• Drive best practices in experimentation, reproducibility and model lifecycle management.
• Influence AI strategy and roadmap, identifying opportunities and innovation pathways.

Skills

AI/ML solution design

Production-grade AI systems

GenAI & agentic AI

Python programming

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Governance & Responsible AI

Job description

• Design and architect scalable AI solutions
• Solve high-value, real-world challenges
• Own technical problem-solving end-to-end

We’re looking for a Principal AI Scientist to lead the design, development and deployment of advanced AI solutions that deliver meaningful business impact.

This is a senior technical role within our AI capability. You will have the opportunity to own end-to-end solution design and guide teams to deliver high-quality, production-grade AI outcomes.

Our people are customer obsessed. They prioritise the needs and satisfaction of the customer above all else. Our mindset fosters innovation and creates strong, lasting customer relationships as we strive to be the most customer centric company in Australia and New Zealand.

In the role of Principal AI Scientist, bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI capability and real-world application, setting the standard for how we build, deploy and embed AI across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution design of agentic and broader AI systems, from problem framing through to deployment and scaling
• Translate complex business problems into robust, scalable AI architectures and models
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to AI scientists and engineers, uplifting overall capability
• Partner closely with stakeholders across business and technology to ensure solutions are aligned to strategic outcomes
• Oversee and contribute to solution development, validation, and optimisation across areas such as machine learning, generative and agentic AI
• Ensure solutions meet enterprise standards for governance, risk, and responsible AI
• Drive best practice in experimentation, reproducibility, and model lifecycle management
• Influence AI strategy and roadmap, identifying emerging opportunities and innovation pathways

What You Bring

• Deep experience in AI/ML solution design and delivery in enterprise environments, including experience in agentic and generative AI
• Proven ability to architect and deploy production-grade AI systems at scale
• Expertise in relevant technical domains (e.g. machine learning, deep learning, recommendation systems, NLP, or GenAI)
• Advanced programming skills in Python and experience with agentic and generative AI frameworks
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and guiding high-performing technical teams
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into business value
• Experience navigating model governance, risk, and responsible AI frameworks

Why This Role Matters

AI is a critical enabler of our strategic ambitions, from enhancing customer experiences to improving operational efficiency and decision-making at scale.

As a Principal AI Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how AI is designed, governed and delivered across the organisation. Your work will directly influence high-impact initiatives, ensuring solutions are not only technically sound, but scalable, responsible and aligned to business outcomes.

A diverse and inclusive workplace works better for everyone

We know that our people make us who we are. That's why we have built a culture of equity and respect - where everyone feels valued and appreciated for being their authentic selves. In partnership with our multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) we continue to foster an inclusive environment, where all NAB colleagues’ unique backgrounds and identities are understood, respected and celebrated. We are committed to providing an environment where you can work your way.