Principal Engineering AI Solution Architect

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, life, vision, and STD

401(k) and Employee Stock PurchasePlan

Paid time off and tuition assistance

Tool discounts

Job summary

Stanley Black & Decker in Towson, MD is seeking a Principal Engineering AI Solution Architect to shape AI initiatives within Engineering. Hybrid role focusing on practical AI for mechatronics, embedded controls, and CAD/PLM data integration, working with cross-functional teams.

You will lead AI roadmaps, mentor teams, ensure data privacy and security, and stay ahead of AI trends to drive innovation in engineering outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or computer science.
• 10+ years of product engineering or embedded systems development.
• 5+ years applying AI/ML to physical products and workflows.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of ML algorithms, data engineering, and MLOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Architect AI-driven solutions embedded in the product engineering lifecycle.
• Apply AI/ML to mechatronic systems and embedded controls e.g., predictive diagnostics, sensor fusion, motor/battery control optimization.
• Develop digital twins and physics-informed / surrogate models that connect CAE and simulation data with AI.
• Collaborate with product engineering, controls/firmware, and manufacturing engineering to define requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee end-to-end AI project implementations from ideation to deployment and monitoring.

Skills

AI/ML in engineering

Embedded systems

Cloud platforms

Docker & Kubernetes

Programming languages (Python/Java/C/C

CAD/PLM tools

Data engineering

CI/CD pipelines

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or computer science

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

CAD/CAE/PLM tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Principal Engineering AI Solution Architect Towson, MD Come make the world and accelerate your success. It takes great people to achieve greatness. People with a sense of purpose and integrity. People with a relentless pursuit of excellence. People who care about making things better For Those Who Make The World™. Sound like you? Join our top-notch team of approximately 43,500 diverse and high-performing professionals globally who are making their mark on some of the world’s most beloved brands, including DEWALT®, BLACK+DECKER®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, CUB CADET®, and HUSTLER®.

The Job:

As Principal Engineering AI Solution Architect, you’ll be part of our Electronics & Electrical team working as a hybrid employee. Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is seeking a Principal Engineering AI Solution Architect to serve as a strategic individual contributor shaping the vision, development, and implementation of AI initiatives within Engineering. This role sits within the Engineering organization and is intended first and foremost for an experienced engineer who understands the realities of physical product development and has subsequently applied AI to improve engineering outcomes. This is not a pure IT or software AI role. We are looking for someone who has lived the product development process, understands the pain points engineers face across design, controls, validation, and release, and can apply AI in practical, high-value ways that make the Engineering Excellence team more effective.

You’ll get to:

• Architect AI-driven solutions embedded in the product engineering lifecycle: CAD/PLM data, embedded firmware and controls development, and test/validation workflows.
• Apply AI/ML to mechatronic systems and embedded controls e.g., predictive diagnostics, sensor fusion, and motor/battery control optimization for power tool platforms.
• Develop digital twins and physics-informed / surrogate models that connect CAE and simulation data with AI to accelerate design iteration.
• Partner with product engineering, controls/firmware teams, and manufacturing engineering to define solution requirements and technical specifications.
• Build AI capabilities for engineering shared services: automated workflows, design-for-reliability analytics, and simulation-assisted design.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, data science, and IT) to define solution requirements and technical specifications.
• Coordinate and oversee the end-to-end implementation of AI projects for product engineering, from ideation and prototyping to deployment and monitoring.
• Evaluate and select appropriate AI technologies, frameworks, and tools appropriate to embedded and engineering-domain constraints.
• Guide and mentor engineering teams on AI/ML model integration, data pipelines, and cloud deployment strategies.
• Develop and maintain AI roadmaps for engineering.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements in all AI solutions.
• Stay updated with the latest AI trends, research, and technologies to drive innovation within the organization.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, and technical workshops as a subject matter expert.

The Person:

You love to learn and grow and be acknowledged for your valuable contributions. You’re not intimidated by innovation. Wouldn’t it be great if you could do your job and do a world of good? In fact, you embrace it. You also have:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or computer science. 10+ years of experience in product engineering or embedded systems development, with 5+ years applying AI/ML to physical or engineered products and workflows — not solely IT systems. Proven track record of designing and deploying AI/ML solutions in production environments, including embedded or edge platforms. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes). Strong understanding of machine learning algorithms, data engineering, and MLOps practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in power tools, industrial equipment, automotive, or similarly regulated hardware product industries.
• Background in mechatronics, robotics, or embedded AI.
• Certifications in cloud architecture or AI/ML (e.g., AWS Certified Machine Learning, Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer).
• Familiarity with edge computing and IoT integration.

Tools & Technologies:

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAE/PLM tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Ansys) or embedded toolchains (C/C++, RTOS, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Expertise in AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Experience with physics-informed ML, digital twins, or model-based design.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with data modeling, ETL pipelines, and API design.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

The Details:

You’ll receive a competitive salary and a great benefits plan, including:

• Medical, dental, life, vision, disability,401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement in addition to programs & benefits in support of your well-being.

And discounts on Stanley Black & Decker tools and other partner programs.

Additional benefits include: Medical, dental, life, vision, disability,401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement in addition to programs & benefits in support of your well-being.

Salary:

The Salary range for this position is $110,600.00 - $178,000.00 This is the lowest to highest annual full-time salary range we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.

The salary range listed in this job posting reflects the range for the primary location specified. The salary range may vary for other locations. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual merit increases.

Medical, dental, life, vision, wellness program, disability, retirement benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Paid Time Off, including paid vacation, holidays & personal days, and tuition reimbursement.

Career opportunities and culture:

• Grow: Be part of our global company with 20+ brands to grow and develop your skills along multiple career paths.
• Learn: Have access to a wealth of learning resources, including our digital learning portal.
• Belong: Experience an awesome place to work, where we have mutual respect and a great appreciation for a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
• Give Back: Help us continue to make positive changes locally and globally through volunteerism, giving back, and sustainable business practices.

What’s more, you’ll get that pride that comes from empowering makers, doers, protectors, and everyday heroes all over the world. We’re more than the #1 tools company. More than a driving force in outdoor power equipment. More than a global leader in industrial. We’re visionaries and innovators. As successful as we’ve been in the past, we have so much further to go. That’s where you come in.

About Stanley Black & Decker:

We’re the World’s largest tool company. We’re industry visionaries. We’re solving problems and advancing the manufacturing trade through innovative technology and our Industry 4.0 Initiative. We are committed to ensuring our state-of-the-art “smart factory” products and services provide greater quality to our customers & greater environmental and social value to our planet. We are unique in that we have a rich and storied history dating back to 1843, but that hasn't stopped us from evolving into a vibrant, diverse, global growth company.

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants to Stanley Black & Decker are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete an application or access our website, please contact us at [phone] or at [e-mail]. Due to volume, we cannot respond to unrelated inquiries about the status of a completed application or resetting an account password. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (eeoc.gov).