AI Principal Engineer

Voya Financial; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Voya Financial in Missouri seeks an AI Principal Engineer (IC Director) to lead the design and delivery of complex, production-grade AI systems with significant business impact. You will own major components, set technical direction, and influence architectural choices across AI platforms while collaborating with product, data, governance teams.

In a regulated environment, you will ensure scalable, reliable AI solutions that meet security and privacy standards, mentor engineers, and drive best

Qualifications

• Production AI/ML systems experience including deployment and operationalization.
• Strong programming skills in Python, TypeScript or Rust.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks, LLMs and data pipelines.
• Knowledge of model lifecycle management, MLOps and production reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and deployment of complex AI solutions, including LLM-based applications and retrieval pipelines.
• Own technical direction for major AI components or domains.
• Drive engineering best practices for model evaluation, testing, monitoring, and operationalization.
• Partner with product, data and business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable AI solutions.
• Contribute to architecture decisions including model selection and API design.
• Ensure solutions meet enterprise security and privacy standards.
• Mentor engineers and improve team capability and quality.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Skills

Python

TypeScript

Rust

AI/ML frameworks

LLM technologies

MLOps

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Together we fight for everyone’s opportunity for a better financial future.

We will do this together — with customers, partners and colleagues. We will fight for others, not against: We will stand up for and champion everyone’s access to opportunities. The status quo is not good enough … we believe every individual and every community deserves access to financial opportunities. We are determined to support both individuals and communities in reaching a better financial future. We know that reaching this future depends on our actions today.

Like our Purpose Statement, Voya believes in being bold and committed to action. We are committed to a work environment where the differences that we are born with — and those we acquire throughout our lives — are understood, valued and intentionally pursued. We believe that our employees own our culture and have a responsibility to foster an environment where we all feel comfortable bringing our whole selves to work. Purposefully bringing our differences together to positively influence our culture, serve our clients and enrich our communities is essential to our vision.

Are you ready to join a company with a strong purpose and a winning culture? Start your Voyage –

Profile Summary

The AI Principal Engineer (IC Director) role is responsible for leading the design and delivery of complex, production-grade AI systems with significant business impact. This role serves as a technical leader across multiple initiatives, owning major components or domains and influencing architectural direction, engineering practices, and solution quality. The position operates with a high level of independence, driving delivery outcomes while collaborating with product, engineering, and governance partners. The role is accountable for ensuring AI solutions are scalable, reliable, and aligned with enterprise standards in a regulated environment.

Profile Description

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of complex AI solutions, including LLM-based applications, retrieval pipelines, and model-driven services
• Own technical direction for major components or domains within AI platforms or products
• Drive engineering best practices for model evaluation, testing, monitoring, and operationalization
• Partner with product, data, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable AI solutions
• Contribute to architecture decisions, including model selection, system integration, and API design
• Ensure solutions meet enterprise standards for security, privacy, and responsible AI
• Mentor and guide engineers, contributing to team capability and engineering quality
• Identify technical risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies

Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Significant experience delivering production AI/ML systems, including model deployment and operationalization
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, TypeScript, or Rust
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks, LLM technologies, and data pipelines
• Knowledge of model lifecycle management, MLOps, and production reliability practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across disciplines

Compensation Pay Disclosure

Voya is committed to pay that’s fair and equitable, which means comparable pay for comparable roles and responsibilities.

The below annual base salary range reflects the expected hiring range(s) for this position in the location(s) listed. In addition to base salary, Voya offers incentive opportunities (i.e., annual cash incentives, sales incentives, and/or long-term incentives) based on the role to reward the achievement of annual performance objectives. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Voya Financial is willing to pay at the time of this posting.

Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted salary range based upon the candidate’s geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.

$149,820 - $198,370 USD

Be Well. Stay Well.

Voya provides the resources that can make a difference in your lives. To us, this means thriving physically, financially, socially and emotionally. Voya benefits are designed to help you do just that. That’s why we offer an array of plans, programs, tools and resources with one goal in mind: To help you and your family be well and stay well.

What We Offer

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance plans
• 401(k) Savings plan – with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%)
• Voya Retirement Plan – employer paid cash balance retirement plan (4%)
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Paid time off – including 20 days paid time off, nine paid company holidays and a flexible Diversity Celebration Day.
• Paid volunteer time — 40 hours per calendar year

Learn More About Voya Benefits (download PDF)

Critical Skills

At Voya, we have identified the following critical skills which are key to success in our culture:

• Customer Focused: Passionate drive to delight our customers and offer unique solutions that deliver on their expectations.
• Critical Thinking: Thoughtful process of analyzing data and problem solving data to reach a well-reasoned solution.
• Team Mentality: Partnering effectively to drive our culture and execute on our common goals.
• Business Acumen: Appreciation and understanding of the financial services industry in order to make sound business decisions.
• Learning Agility: Openness to new ways of thinking and acquiring new skills to retain a competitive advantage.

Learn More About Critical Skills

Equal Employment Opportunity

Voya Financial is an equal-opportunity employer. Voya Financial provides equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other status protected by state or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations

Voya is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Voya will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please reference resources for applicants with disabilities.