Principal Engineer - AI & Data

Position: Principal Engineer — AI & Data

Location: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid)

Comp: $200K – $250K base + equity participation + comprehensive benefits

Must Have: Greenfield experience building unified data architectures AND deploying AI agents into production.

Relocation Assistance may be Considered for Out-of-State Candidates | No Visa Sponsorship

Overview

Our client, a leading AZ-based private equity firm, is hiring a Principal Engineer — AI & Data to build its AI-powered operating system — unifying data and deploying production AI agents that transform how the firm invests and operates.

You’ll own the architecture and build from the ground up through deployment, collaborating across the entire company and partnering directly with leadership to turn an ambitious AI vision into the firm’s competitive edge.

What You’ll Do

• Design and build a unified data layer connecting business applications, documents, spreadsheets, and email
• Build enterprise search and retrieval tools that make firm knowledge accessible and useful
• Deploy AI agents that execute multi-step workflows and take actions across business systems
• Automate deal intake, document summaries, underwriting preparation, and operational tasks
• Own implementation, deployment, monitoring, and ongoing reliability
• Establish data quality, governance, permissions, and secure access in a Microsoft/Azure environment
• Partner closely with department heads and internal stakeholders to prioritize opportunities and drive adoption
• Collaborate with IT and compliance to ensure secure, responsible AI use

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience personally designing and building unified data architectures across disparate systems
• Hands-on experience deploying and maintaining production AI agents
• Strong software engineering fundamentals and a track record of shipping reliable, scalable systems
• Experience building in Microsoft/Azure environments and working with modern data platforms
• Deep familiarity with agent frameworks such as LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, or comparable tools
• Understanding of enterprise identity, permissions, data governance, and security
• Clear communication skills and the ability to translate business needs into working products
• Ability to operate independently with limited engineering support
• Financial services experience is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or an advanced Computer Science degree

Why This Role

Build the foundation and shape how an entire firm uses data and AI—with ownership of the architecture, direct partnership with leadership, and room to grow as the technology team expands.

Competitive base salary plus investment fund participation offering potential upside equivalent to approximately 50% of base, tied to fund performance. Benefits include medical insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, and unlimited PTO.