Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer - U.S. Based Hybrid Opportunity
About The Position
Common App is a national not-for-profit organization that supports access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year, it helps more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,100 member colleges and universities through its free online application. The Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer is the technical leader responsible for embedding artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows and analytic processes to improve productivity, insight generation, and decision support within the Data Analytics & Research (DAR) division. The position focuses on applied, production-ready AI/ML initiatives and operates as a senior individual contributor and technical authority. Reporting to the Senior Director, Analytics Engineering, the role partners with Data Engineering, Data Governance, and business stakeholders to ensure AI solutions are scalable, secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise data strategy. The engineer sets standards for AI development, mentors teammates, and translates complex machine learning capabilities into enterprise-grade systems. This is a U.S.-based, virtual-first hybrid opportunity; employees may live anywhere in the United States or its territories and must be willing and able to travel periodically for in-person events.
Requirements
- Candidates must live in the United States.
- Willingness and ability to travel for periodic in-person events, including 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, including 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 LLM integration.
- Experience designing and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems, including end-to-end pipelines for training, evaluation, versioning, deployment, and monitoring.
- Proficiency in R and Python for machine learning and AI development; familiarity with scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or equivalent frameworks.
- Experience building and operationalizing LLM-powered applications, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and tool or agent orchestration frameworks.
- Strong SQL skills and experience with large-scale cloud data platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, or BigQuery; ability to design AI-ready data pipelines within enterprise warehouse environments.
- Knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI principles, and compliance considerations for systems handling sensitive or personally identifiable data.
- Ability to serve as a senior technical individual contributor, set standards, make architectural decisions, and mentor peers without formal management authority.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex AI/ML concepts to non-technical stakeholders and executive audiences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality AI solutions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or doctoral degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
- Relevant AI/ML or cloud certifications, such as Databricks Certified Machine Learning Professional or AWS Machine Learning Specialty.
- 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.
- Passion for higher education.
Responsibilities
- Embed artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows and analytic processes to improve productivity, insight generation, and decision support.
- Lead applied, production-ready AI/ML initiatives within the Data Analytics & Research division.
- Partner with Data Engineering, Data Governance, and cross-functional business stakeholders to ensure AI solutions are scalable, secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise data strategy.
- Set standards for AI development practices and make architectural decisions.
- Mentor teammates on applied AI techniques and provide technical guidance and thought leadership.
- Translate complex machine learning capabilities into enterprise-grade systems that deliver lasting organizational value.
- Design and deploy production-grade AI/ML systems and end-to-end ML pipelines.
- Build and operationalize LLM-powered applications, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, and tool or agent orchestration.
Benefits
- Work-life balance
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Seven company-wide holidays
- Nine floating holidays
- Sick leave
- Monthly mental health day
- Choice of PC or Mac laptop
- One-time office setup stipend
- Monthly remote work stipend
- Monthly mobile stipend
- Market-based salaries
- Performance-based bonus
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% company contribution and an additional 5% company match
- Choice of two health insurance plans
- Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
- Medical Flexible Spending Account, depending on health plan selection
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- 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 the employee, spouse, and dependents
- Company-provided short- and long-term disability insurance
- Budgeted annual funds for professional development
- Growth opportunities within the company
- Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
- Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
- Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
- Payroll-deduction pet insurance through PinPaws
- 1Password family account
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
