Principal Engineer - AI /ML Platform

Target; United States; Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 356,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Target is seeking a Principal Engineer – ML Operations Platform to lead the architecture of our enterprise ML platform. You will collaborate with data science, security, and infrastructure teams to define scalable patterns for developing, deploying, and governing ML solutions at scale.

This role requires deep experience in building cloud-native platforms, MLOps capabilities, and governance practices, enabling hundreds of engineers to deliver AI safely and efficiently.

Qualifications

• MS in CS or related field with relevant software engineering experience.
• Extensive experience designing and delivering large-scale cloud-native platforms.
• Deep experience building and operating enterprise ML platforms and MLOps capabilities.
• Strong understanding of ML lifecycle management, observability and production operations.
• Experience with Vertex AI, Kubeflow, MLflow or equivalent tooling.

Responsibilities

• Define the long-term technical strategy and architecture for the enterprise ML Operations Platform.
• Design scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-native platforms for ML workloads.
• Establish best practices for model development, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Lead architecture for ML infrastructure supporting batch, streaming, and real-time inference.
• Drive adoption of cloud-native technologies and modern platform engineering practices.
• Define standards for model governance, observability, reliability, explainability, and responsible AI.
• Partner with teams to improve platform scalability, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Mentor engineers and influence technical direction across multiple teams.

Skills

MS in CS

Cloud-native platforms

MLOps

Leadership

CI/CD

Education

MS in CS or related field

Tools

Vertex AI

Kubeflow

MLflow

Terraform

Job description

Pay & Benefits

The pay range is $168,000.00 - $356,000.00. Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and, in some instances, may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family.

Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.

Other benefits for eligible team members include:

• 401(k)
• employee discount
• short term disability
• long term disability
• paid sick leave
• paid national holidays
• paid vacation

Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

About Us

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

Target's AI Platform organization is building the next generation of enterprise AI capabilities that enable teams to develop, deploy, govern, and operate Machine Learning and Generative AI solutions at scale. Our platform powers AI innovation across the enterprise by providing secure, scalable, and reusable capabilities that accelerate development while maintaining enterprise standards for reliability, governance, and operational excellence.

About the Role

As a Principal Engineer – ML Operations Platform, you will provide technical leadership in defining the architecture and evolution of our enterprise machine learning platform. You will work across engineering, data science, infrastructure, security, and product organizations to establish scalable patterns for developing, deploying, monitoring, and governing machine learning systems throughout their lifecycle. This role is ideal for a technology leader who enjoys solving complex platform challenges, influencing engineering strategy, and building capabilities that enable hundreds of engineers and data scientists to deliver AI solutions efficiently and safely.

Key responsibilities:

• Define the long-term technical strategy and architecture for the enterprise ML Operations Platform.
• Design scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-native platforms supporting machine learning workloads.
• Establish best practices for model development, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Lead architecture for enterprise machine learning infrastructure supporting batch, streaming, and real-time inference.
• Drive adoption of cloud-native technologies, Kubernetes, and modern platform engineering practices.
• Define standards for model governance, observability, reliability, explainability, and responsible AI.
• Partner with infrastructure, security, and engineering teams to improve platform scalability, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend architectural approaches that improve platform capabilities.
• Mentor engineers and influence technical direction across multiple engineering organizations.

Core responsibilities of this job are articulated within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.

About You

• MS in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical field with relevant software engineering experience
• Extensive experience designing and delivering large-scale cloud-native platforms or distributed systems
• Deep experience building and operating enterprise machine learning platforms and MLOps capabilities
• Strong understanding of machine learning lifecycle management, deployment strategies, observability and production operations
• Demonstrated experience with machine learning platforms and tooling such as Vertex AI, Kubeflow, MLflow, and/or equivalent technologies
• Experience building developer platforms or internal platform products
• Experience with distributed training, GPU infrastructure, and large-scale inference platforms
• Experience with feature management, model governance, and responsible AI practices.
• Familiarity with Generative AI platforms and infrastructure supporting foundation model workloads
• Experience with Terraform, GitOps, service mesh technologies, and platform automation
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and leading enterprise-scale modernization initiatives
• Expertise designing Kubernetes-based platforms supporting AI and machine learning workloads
• Strong understanding of software engineering best practices including CI/CD, infrastructure as code, observability, testing, and automation
• Experience defining technical strategy, architectural standards and engineering best practices across multiple teams
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering and business leaders

This position may be considered for a Remote or Hybrid (known internally at Target as "Flex for Your Day") work arrangement based on Target's needs.

A Remote work arrangement means the team member works full-time from home or an alternate location that's not a Target location, does not have a desk at a Target location and may travel to HQ up to 4 times a year.

A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member's core role may be performed either remote or onsite at a Target location depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. Non-accommodation‑related requests, such as application follow‑ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.

About the Company

Target is one of the world’s most recognized brands and one of America’s leading retailers. We make Target our guests’ preferred shopping destination by offering outstanding value, inspiration, innovation and an exceptional guest experience that no other retailer can deliver. Target is committed to responsible corporate citizenship, ethical business practices, environmental stewardship and generous community support. Since 1946, we have given 5 percent of our profits back to our communities. Our goal is to work as one team to fulfill our unique brand promise to our guests, wherever and whenever they choose to shop.

Our Benefits

We care about and invest in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.