Principal Software Engineer AI

Overview

Join an amazing team that is consistently recognized for our achievements and culture, including our most recent Forbes award of being one of America's Best Midsize Employers for 2024!

Position Summary:

We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer - AI who combines world-class software engineering expertise with deep AI engineering capabilities. As part of our AI/ML Engineering team, you'll architect and implement sophisticated systems that leverage both traditional software engineering principles and advanced AI technologies. This role requires someone who can design scalable distributed systems, write exceptional production grade code, and expertly integrate and fine-tune AI models. You'll partner with our architecture team to build robust platforms that seamlessly blend conventional software architecture with AI capabilities, while maintaining high standards for both disciplines. We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer - AI who combines world-class software engineering expertise with deep AI engineering capabilities. As part of our AI/ML Engineering team, you'll architect and implement sophisticated systems that leverage both traditional software engineering principles and advanced AI technologies. This role requires someone who can design scalable distributed systems, write exceptional production grade code, and expertly integrate and fine-tune AI models. You'll partner with our architecture team to build robust platforms that seamlessly blend conventional software architecture with AI capabilities, while maintaining high standards for both disciplines.

Geo-Salary Information

State specific pay scales for this role are as follows:

$126,294 to $246,043  (CA, NJ, NY, WA, HI, AK, MD, CT, RI, MA)

$114,813 to $223,675 (NV, OR, AZ, CO, WY, TX, ND, MN, MO, IL, WI, FL, GA, MI, OH, VA, PA, DE, VT, NH, ME)

$103,332 to $201,308  (UT, ID, MT, NM, SD, NE, KS, OK, IA, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, IN, SC, NC, WV)

The expected base salary for this position will vary depending on a number of factors, including relevant experience, skills and location.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions: 

• Design and implement high-performance, scalable software systems that effectively integrate AI capabilities
• Build sophisticated backend services and APIs optimized for AI model interaction and data processing
• Develop robust automation solutions leveraging both foundation models and traditional software approaches
• Create reusable frameworks that accelerate both conventional development and AI implementation
• Engineer systems for effective foundation model evaluation, selection, and fine-tuning
• Partner with the architecture team to design systems that elegantly combine software engineering principles with AI requirements
• Implement complex technical solutions requiring deep expertise in both software architecture and AI engineering
• Lead model evaluation and implementation strategies for business-critical applications
• Mentor team members in software engineering excellence and advanced AI development techniques
• Drive technical innovation through sophisticated proof-of-concepts combining traditional and AI approaches

Qualifications

Education: 

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field

Experience

Minimum:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience in enterprise environments
• 2+ years of hands-on experience implementing AI/ML solutions
• Experience leading technical teams or serving as technical lead
• Track record of delivering large-scale distributed systems
• Demonstrated experience with foundation model implementation and fine-tuning

Preferred:

• 15+ years of software engineering experience
• 4+ years of hands-on experience implementing AI/ML solutions
• Experience in a principal engineer or technical architect role
• Track record of mentoring and growing engineering teams
• History of leading architectural decisions for enterprise-scale systems
• Experience with multiple AI platforms and foundation models

Skills & Abilities

Minimum:

• Expert-level programming in at least two modern languages (e.g., Java, Go, Python)
• Strong understanding of distributed systems design and implementation
• Proficiency with AI/ML frameworks and foundational model APIs
• Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization

Preferred:

• Expertise in additional programming languages and frameworks
• Deep understanding of AI model architectures and limitations
• Experience with prompt engineering and model optimization
• Knowledge of performance optimization and scalability techniques
• Familiarity with multiple cloud platforms and architectures
• Strong product sense and business acumen
• Experience presenting technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Track record of technical innovation and thought leadership

About the Company

Why choose a career at Mercury?

At Mercury, we have been guided by our purpose to help people reduce risk and overcome unexpected events for more than 60 years. We are one team with a common goal to help others. Everyone needs insurance and we can’t imagine a world without it.

Our team will encourage you to grow, make time to have fun, and work together to make great things happen. We embrace the strengths and values of each team member. We believe in having diverse perspectives where everyone is included, to serve customers from all walks of life.

We care about our people, and we mean it. We reward our talented professionals with a competitive salary, bonus potential, and a variety of benefits to help our team members reach their health, retirement, and professional goals.

Learn more about us here: https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/about/careers

Perks and Benefits

We offer many great benefits, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Flexibility to work from anywhere in the United States for most positions
• Paid time off (vacation time, sick time, paid Company holidays, and volunteer hours)
• Incentive bonus programs (potential for holiday bonus, referral bonus, and performance-based bonus)
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and pet insurance
• 401 (k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Engaging work environment
• Promotional opportunities
• Education assistance
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Company recognition program
• Health and wellbeing resources, including free mental wellbeing therapy/coaching sessions, child and eldercare resources, and more

Mercury Insurance is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Pay Range