Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer - U.S. Based Hybrid Opportunity

Common App; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Virtual-first environment

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Remote work stipend

Professional development budget

Job summary

Common App is seeking a Principal AI & ML Engineer to lead applied AI initiatives in the Data Analytics & Research division and embed AI into enterprise workflows to drive measurable productivity and insight generation.

The role partners with Data Engineering and Governance, mentoring peers, setting standards for AI development, and delivering scalable, secure AI systems across the organization. Willingness to travel for semi-annual events is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8–10 years in ML/AI engineering or data science; at least 3 years in applied AI and production ML.
• Experience integrating LLMs and generative AI into enterprise workflows.
• Experience with data governance and compliance frameworks.
• Proficiency in R and Python for ML; familiarity with scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow.
• Experience building production-grade AI/ML systems with end-to-end pipelines.
• Strong SQL skills and cloud data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery).
• Knowledge of AI governance and responsible AI principles.

Responsibilities

• Embed AI into enterprise workflows to drive productivity and insights.
• Mentor peers, set standards for AI development, and ensure security and compliance.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering and governance to deliver scalable AI solutions.

Skills

AI/ML engineering

Production ML systems

LLM integration

Python

SQL

Data governance

Cloud data platforms

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Math/Stats

Master’s or PhD in relevant field

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

BigQuery

scikit-learn

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face

MLflow

Job description

ABOUT US

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced Artificial Intelligence professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) Engineer is the technical leader responsible for embedding artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows and analytic processes to drive measurable gains in productivity, insight generation, and decision support within the Data Analytics & Research (DAR) division. Highly regarded for exceptional performance and deep technical expertise, this role focuses on applied, production-ready AI/ML, driving groundbreaking initiatives that embed artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows

Reporting to the Senior Director, Analytics Engineering, the Principal AI/ML Engineer partners closely with Data Engineering, Data Governance, and cross-functional business stakeholders to ensure that AI solutions are scalable, secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise data strategy. This role operates as a senior individual contributor and technical authority, setting standards for AI development practice, mentoring teammates on applied AI techniques, and translating complex machine learning capabilities into enterprise-grade systems that deliver lasting organizational value. The Principal AI/ML Engineer is a recognized expert in the field, frequently sought out for technical guidance, mentorship, and thought leadership both within the organization and across the broader AI and higher education data community.

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

• Candidates must live in the United States.
• Hybrid Work & Travel: Employees can live anywhere in the US or its territories, with the willingness and ability to travel for periodic in-person events——semi-annual Common App retreats, department retreats, and strategic leadership sessions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative or technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in machine learning, AI engineering, or data science, with at least 3 years focused on applied AI and production ML systems.
• Demonstrated experience integrating LLMs and generative AI into enterprise analytic or operational workflows.
• Demonstrated experience working within enterprise data governance and compliance frameworks.
• Expertise in applied machine learning and AI, including supervised and unsupervised learning, natural language processing, and large language model integration (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source LLMs via Hugging Face).
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems, including end-to-end ML pipelines covering training, evaluation, versioning, deployment, and monitoring.
• Proficiency in R and Python for machine learning and AI development; familiarity with ML frameworks such as scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or equivalent.
• Experience building and operationalizing LLM-powered applications, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and tool/agent orchestration frameworks.
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large-scale cloud data platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery); ability to design AI-ready data pipelines within enterprise warehouse environments.
• Knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI principles, and compliance considerations for AI systems handling sensitive or personally identifiable data.
• Proven ability to serve as a senior technical individual contributor, setting standards, making architectural decisions, and mentoring peers without formal management authority.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex AI/ML concepts into accessible language for non-technical stakeholders and executive audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deliver high-quality AI solutions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
• Relevant AI/ML or cloud certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Machine Learning Professional, AWS Machine Learning Specialty, or equivalent).
• Experience working with Agile frameworks for cross-functional, product-minded collaboration.
• Experience with agentic AI frameworks.
• Familiarity with Databricks AI features, including MLflow, Model Serving, and Genie or semantic layer integrations.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven technology contexts.
• Advanced training in statistics, causal inference, or program evaluation methods.
• A passion for higher education is a plus.

PAY RANGE

• $144,160 - $162,180

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:

• Work-Life balance
  • Virtual-first office
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Seven company-wide holidays
  • Nine floating holidays*
  • Sick leave
  • Monthly mental health day

*floating holidays prorated depending on start date

• Virtual-first support
  • Choice of PC of MAC laptop
  • May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
  • One-time office set-up stipend
  • Monthly remote work stipend
  • Monthly mobile stipend
• Financial security
  • Market-based salaries
  • Performance-based bonus
  • 403(b) retirement plan
    • 5% company contribution
    • additional 5% company match
    • 3-year vesting schedule
    • Participation may begin immediately
• Health & wellness
  • Choice of two health insurance plans
    • Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
    • Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
  • Vision insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
  • Company provided life and ad&d insurance
  • Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
  • Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
• Career development
  • Budgeted annual funds for professional development
  • Growth opportunities within the company
• Additional perks
  • Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
  • Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
  • Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
  • Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
  • 1Password family account

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.