Quality Engineer Principal - MLOps

PNC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 91,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with match

Paid holidays

Wellness program

Job summary

PNC is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to lead MLOps testing across the Data & Automation organization. Based in Pittsburgh, Strongsville, or Dallas, the role combines hands-on testing with strategic direction to strengthen test coverage, automation, and end-to-end quality with evidence.

You will design scalable testing strategies, drive automation, and collaborate with QE, development, and platform engineering teams to advance quality practices across the MLOps portfolio.

Qualifications

• Experience designing scalable test strategies for complex data and ML systems.
• Expertise in test automation within CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong knowledge of MLOps lifecycle: model validation, deployment, monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Design and drive test strategies aligned to enterprise objectives.
• Escalate systemic issues and influence resolution strategies.
• Oversee risk and defect processes with ECO standards and reporting.
• Lead preparation and delivery of test summary reports for leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate across teams and participate in QE CoP meetings for continuous improvement.
• Provide mentorship to junior QE team members.

Skills

MLOps lifecycle

Test automation

CI/CD

Python

API testing

Data validation (SQL)

Cloud platforms

Risk-based testing

Root cause analysis

Collaborations

Job description

Position Overview

At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Quality Engineer Principal within PNC's Data and Automation Technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA, Strongsville, OH or Dallas, TX.

Job Profile

R232275

Position Overview

At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Quality Engineer Principal within PNC's Data and Automation Technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA, Strongsville, OH or Dallas, TX.

We are looking for a MLOPs Quality Engineer Principal to join the Data & Automation organization, supporting the MLOps ecosystem. In this hands on individual contributor role, you will be responsible for driving scalable, automation-first validation strategies across teams, systems, and complex integrations. This role operates at both hands-on and strategic levels, influencing best practices, improving testability, and establishing reusable quality patterns that enable both design & operating effectiveness. You will be responsible for designing, building, coordinating, executing & validating risk & control testing strategies across the MLOPs portfolio. You will work closely with QE resources, Development teams, and Platform Engineers to strengthen & standardize test coverage, automation, and end to end quality w/ evidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design MLOps testing strategies which verify that the rules, policies, and procedures put in place as internal controls are properly designed and operating effectively
• Champion automation, continuous testing and shift-left testing methodologies
• Build and maintain test automation and ensure stds are adopted and followed.
• Identify controls gaps and develop test harnesses to detect and validate.
• Support test data and test environment readiness across environments.
• Analyze defect trends and production incidents — contributing to root cause analysis and recommending preventive measures.
• Provide quality sign off as needed
• Contribute to QE standards and best practices for MLOps testing techniques, tools, and approaches within the ecosystem.

Key Skills & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the MLOps lifecycle, including model validation, deployment, and monitoring
• Experience designing scalable test strategies across complex data and ML systems
• Expertise in test automation and continuous testing within CI/CD pipelines
• Proficiency in Python, API testing, and data validation (SQL)
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and distributed data systems
• Experience with risk-based testing, controls validation, and audit readiness
• Ability to analyze defects and production issues and drive root cause solutions
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder influence across engineering and QE teams
• Self-driven with a strategic mindset and hands‑on execution capabilities

PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance.

PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.

Job Description

• Drives the development of test strategies and plans, ensuring alignment with enterprise-level objectives and delivery timelines.
• Escalates systemic issues to Quality Engineer leadership and influences resolution strategies.
• Oversees risk and defect processes, ensuring adherence to ECO standards. Provides detailed insights through accurate and timely reporting.
• Leads preparation and delivery of test summary reports and documentation for Technology leaders, Governance/Risk teams, and business stakeholders.
• Collaborates across teams and participates in Quality Engineer CoP meetings to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Provides strategic mentorship and oversight to more junior Quality Engineer team members, ensuring consistent execution of testing standards.

PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be:

• Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.
• Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Pay Transparency

Base Salary: $91,000.00 – $185,900.00

Salaries may vary based on geographic location, market data and on individual skills, experience, and education. This role is incentive eligible with the payment based upon company, business and/or individual performance.

Application Window

Generally, this opening is expected to be posted for two business days from 08/11/2026, although it may be longer with business discretion.

Benefits

• Medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature)
• Dental and vision options
• Employee and spouse/child life insurance
• Short and long-term disability protection
• 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans
• Dependent care reimbursement account
• Back-up child/elder care
• Adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement
• Educational assistance, including select programs fully paid
• A robust wellness program with financial incentives
• Maternity and/or parental leave
• Up to 11 paid holidays each year
• 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law
• Between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level
• Years of service

Disability Accommodations Statement

If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at [e-mail]. Please include “accommodation request” in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses. Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and say "Workday" for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

At PNC we foster an inclusive and accessible workplace. We provide reasonable accommodations to employment applicants and qualified individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of their positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

This position is subject to the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and, for any registered role, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain criminal history.

California Residents

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