Principal AI Engineer

American Esoteric Laboratories; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonic Healthcare USA is seeking a Principal AI Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of enterprise AI solutions. This senior, hands‑on role defines AI architecture, shapes strategy, and builds production‑grade systems using ML, LLMs, RAG, and agent‑based workflows.

You will partner with Engineering, Product, Security, and Data teams to translate business challenges into scalable AI capabilities, set governance standards, mentor engineers, and deliver secure, measurable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of software engineering experience with 4+ years building AI/ML systems in production.
• Proven experience designing and deploying scalable AI solutions.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python.
• Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Machine Learning platforms and frameworks.
• AI orchestration frameworks (LangChain or similar).
• Vector databases and AI inference platforms.
• Experience leading complex technical initiatives from concept through production.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and technical direction for enterprise AI and machine learning solutions.
• Design, build, and deploy AI applications, LLM-powered products, RAG pipelines, and agent-based systems.
• Establish best practices for model development, evaluation, deployment, monitoring, and governance.
• Drive AI platform strategy, scalability, reliability, security, and performance.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into AI-powered solutions.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend adoption opportunities.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across AI initiatives.
• Ensure AI solutions align with security, privacy, and compliance requirements.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face LLM APIs

RAG Architecture

Vector Databases

LangChain

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

MLflow

Databricks

Azure AI Services

AWS AI/ML Services

vLLM

Okta/SSO Integration

Job description

Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Position Qualifications: We're not just a workplace - we're a Great Place to Work certified employer! Proudly certified as a Great Place to Work, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. At Sonic Healthcare USA, we emphasize teamwork and innovation. Check out our job openings and advance your career with a company that values its team members! Sonic Healthcare USA is seeking a Principal AI Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of enterprise AI solutions. This is a senior technical leadership role for a hands‑on engineer who can define AI architecture, influence strategy, and build production‑grade systems leveraging machine learning, large language models (LLMs), AI agents, and Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG). The ideal candidate will work closely with Engineering, Product, Security, and Data teams to transform complex business challenges into scalable, secure, and innovative AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and technical direction for enterprise AI and machine learning solutions.
• Design, build, and deploy AI applications, LLM‑powered products, RAG pipelines, and agent‑based systems.
• Establish best practices for model development, evaluation, deployment, monitoring, and governance.
• Drive AI platform strategy, scalability, reliability, security, and performance.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to translate business needs into AI‑powered solutions.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend adoption opportunities.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across AI initiatives.
• Ensure AI solutions align with security, privacy, and compliance requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of software engineering experience with 4+ years building AI/ML systems in production.
• Proven experience designing and deploying scalable AI solutions.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python.
• Experience with: Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Machine Learning platforms and frameworks
• AI orchestration frameworks (LangChain or similar)
• Vector databases and AI inference platforms
• Experience leading complex technical initiatives from concept through production.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare, cybersecurity, or other regulated industries.
• Experience with MLOps, model monitoring, and AI governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of Responsible AI practices, security controls, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with distributed training, large‑scale inference, and AI infrastructure.
• Contributions to open‑source AI projects or published technical research.

Technical Skills Required

• Python
• PyTorch and/or TensorFlow
• Hugging Face LLM APIs
• RAG Architecture
• Vector Databases
• LangChain or Similar Frameworks
• Kubernetes and Container Technologies

Preferred

• MLflow
• Databricks
• Azure AI Services
• AWS AI/ML Services
• vLLM
• Okta/SSO Integration
• Security and Observability Platforms

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to shape our AI strategy, influence enterprise technology decisions, and build innovative AI solutions that create measurable business impact while advancing the organization's AI maturity.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Work Shift: Job Category: Information Technology Company: Sonic Healthcare USA, Inc

Sonic Healthcare USA is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to an inclusive workplace for all employees.

We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Sonic Healthcare USA is a subsidiary of Sonic Healthcare Limited, one of the world's largest medical diagnostic companies, providing laboratory services to medical practitioners, hospitals and community health services, with operations in eight countries, on three continents and providing care to over 100 million patients each year. Sonic Healthcare USA is a leading provider of state‑of‑the‑art laboratory services and pathology practices throughout the USA with eight operating divisions and nearly eight thousand US‑based employees, 330 Pathologists and serving over 30 million patients per year. Sonic Healthcare USA operates under a federated business model that emphasizes medical leadership and community‑based testing services to provide outstanding quality and service to the doctors and patients that they serve.

For more information, visit the Sonic Healthcare website at www.sonichealthcareusa.com.