Principal AI Engineer

About this role:Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal Engineer to join our AI Platforms and Enterprise Execution Group as part of Consumer Technology. Learn more about the career areas and business divisions at wellsfargojobs.com.This role focuses on designing and delivering enterprise‑scale strategic initiatives in reusable AI patterns that deliver business and customer value.This is a hands‑on, business facing, Principal Engineer role for a technical leader who designs, builds, and scales AI‑driven platforms, while operating at enterprise scope. The Principal Engineer serves as a technical authority who codes, prototypes, and reviews architecture, not just oversees executionIn this role, you will:Act as a trusted advisor to business and technology executives, influencing enterprise strategy and guiding the development of applications, platforms, security, data, and AI capabilities that address complex business challenges and create measurable customer and business value.Lead the strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise-scale AI, cloud, and modernization initiatives by partnering with business leaders to identify opportunities, shape use cases, and translate emerging technologies into practical business outcomes.Translate enterprise business objectives, customer needs, and operational challenges into scalable engineering solutions, including reusable architectures, AI-enabled platforms, and production-grade capabilities that accelerate adoption across the organization.Partner directly with senior executives, product leaders, and engineering teams to evaluate strategic priorities, define AI roadmaps, establish success metrics, and communicate technical opportunities, tradeoffs, risks, and implementation strategies.Maintain deep awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, and advances in AI, proactively identifying innovations that improve productivity, decision-making, customer experiences, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage.Mobilize and influence large-scale, cross-functional initiatives by aligning business and technology stakeholders, resolving complex challenges, and serving as the senior technical authority for critical platform, data, and AI decisions.Drive AI opportunity discovery and executive ideation sessions, helping business leaders identify, prioritize, and mature high-value use cases while establishing clear business outcomes, investment rationale, and adoption strategies.Required Qualifications:7+ years of Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education7+ years of senior engineering experience, including architecture and hands‑on delivery of large‑scale platforms and systems4+ years of experience developing or deploying AI‑powered tools, chatbots, LLM‑based automation, or agentic workflows, including understanding of AI risks, observability needs, and stakeholder communication3+ years of hands‑on experience across Cloud architectures including Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, AWS, etc. and internal platforms such as Tachyon3+ years of experience operating at both keyboard‑level technical depth and executive‑level technical storytellingDesired Qualifications:Experience leading technology strategy and delivery within agile product operating models in large, complex enterprises, including cloud-native platforms and modern software engineering practices.Financial services experience preferred; Business Banking domain experience is beneficial but not requiredDemonstrated ability to mentor and influence senior technical talent, establish engineering standards, and elevate architecture and delivery practices across multiple teams and organizations.Proven ability to engage and influence senior business executives, translating strategic priorities and operational challenges into high-impact AI use cases, technology roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes.Demonstrated experience evaluating, prototyping, and scaling Generative and Agentic AI capabilities while balancing innovation, risk management, governance, and responsible AI principles.Strong organizational savvy, executive presence, and customer centricity, with the ability to influence senior leaders, navigate complex enterprise environments, and align technology investments to measurable business outcomesExperience partnering directly with business executives and product leaders to identify strategic opportunities, shape technology roadmaps, and translate business objectives into scalable solutions.Experience building or scaling enterprise AI platforms, developer frameworks, reusable services, or shared capabilities that accelerate adoption across multiple business domains.Ability to evaluate technology investments through a business value lens, including defining success metrics, prioritizing opportunities, and articulating ROI to executive stakeholders.Experience delivering technology solutions within highly regulated industries, balancing innovation with security, compliance, audit, and risk management requirements.Proven ability to drive enterprise adoption of emerging technologies through influence, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional change leadership.Job Expectations:Flexibility to work across global teamsAbility to travel as neededThis position offers a hybrid work scheduleThis position is not eligible for Visa sponsorshipJob Location:333 Market St - San Francisco, California 94105300 S. Brevard - Charlotte, North Carolina 282022600 S Price Rd - Chandler, Arizona 852863075 Loyalty Cir -COLUMBUS, OH 43219Pay RangeReflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.$159,000.00 - $305,000.00Benefits Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.Health benefits401(k) PlanPaid time offDisability benefitsLife insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insuranceParental leaveCritical caregiving leaveDiscounts and savingsCommuter benefitsTuition reimbursementScholarships for dependent childrenAdoption reimbursementPosting End Date:24 Sep 2026*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.We Value Equal OpportunityWells Fargo 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 legally protected characteristic.Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.Applicants with DisabilitiesTo request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.Drug and Alcohol PolicyWells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.SummaryLocation: SAN FRANCISCO, CA; CHANDLER, AZ; COLUMBUS, OH; CHARLOTTE, NCType: Full time