Principal Data Engineer - AI & Python Systems Architect

Arka Innovate; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ARKA INNOVATE is seeking a Principal Data Engineer with Python and AI experience to design scalable, production-grade data services that leverage LLMs and modern backend architectures. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance solutions, implement robust data contracts, and ensure secure, observable systems across cloud-based infrastructure and NoSQL/SQL stores.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, advanced data modeling (Pydantic), and building

Qualifications

• 15+ years of IT industry experience.
• Strong backend engineering in Python including OOP, typing, and async programming.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs or AI-powered systems (information extraction, semantic search, classification).
• Knowledge of agentic architectures, tool/API calling agents, and orchestration patterns.
• Data modeling with type-safe models (e.g., Pydantic) and robust data contracts.
• Experience building FastAPI-based services with event-driven integrations and async pipelines.
• Exposure to high-scale data systems, performance optimization, and efficient I/O handling.
• Solid API security concepts (AuthN/AuthZ, OAuth2/OpenID Connect).
• Experience with SQL databases (SQL Server, Azure SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL).

Responsibilities

• Design scalable production data services leveraging Python and AI.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions.
• Develop and maintain robust data contracts and high-quality APIs.
• Implement monitoring, logging, and testing to ensure reliability.
• Lead by example in debugging, metrics interpretation, and troubleshooting complex systems.

Skills

Python

Backend engineering

LLMs/AI

Data modeling

FastAPI

Async programming

Cloud infrastructure

SQL databases

Debugging

API security

Tools

Pydantic

CI/CD

Webhooks

Message queues

Job description

ARKA INNOVATE is seeking a Principal Data Engineer with Python and AI experience to design scalable, production-grade data services that leverage LLMs and modern backend architectures. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance solutions, implement robust data contracts, and ensure secure, observable systems across cloud-based infrastructure and NoSQL/SQL stores.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, advanced data modeling (Pydantic), and building