Principal AI Engineer

Principal AI Engineer

Location: Springfield, Missouri

Join a compassionate, collaborative team making a measurable difference by building enterprise AI capabilities that empower better decisions and faster insights. Five reasons to apply: opportunity to lead AI strategy across the data platform; hands-on work with cutting-edge LLM and Snowflake Cortex AI technologies; influence production-grade analytics used across the business; mentor and grow technical talent; and contribute to responsible, governed AI practices that help others succeed. We're looking for a creative, systems-thinking engineer with strong data platform expertise, excellent SQL/Python skills, and a passion for translating business questions into scalable AI solutions.

This role is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing enterprise AI capabilities integrated with the organization's data platform (with a focus on Snowflake). You will create natural language-to-SQL solutions, design semantic data models, build prototypes that validate high-value use cases, and guide those prototypes into production. As the senior AI technical contributor within Analytics, you'll partner with Data Engineering and Analytics teams to set architectural patterns, best practices, and governance-aligned standards for LLM-driven systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead design and delivery of LLM-enabled analytics capabilities using Snowflake and Cortex AI.
• Develop natural language-to-SQL solutions and conversational query interfaces for business users.
• Design and maintain semantic data models that support reliable AI-driven query generation.
• Build prototype AI applications to demonstrate capabilities and validate business value.
• Drive the transition of prototypes into scalable, production-ready solutions on the enterprise data platform.
• Define architectural patterns, best practices, and standards for applying LLM technologies to structured data.
• Partner with Data Engineering on prompt design, query generation frameworks, and evaluation methodologies.
• Identify high-impact AI opportunities across analytics, reporting, and decision support.
• Evaluate emerging AI tools and Snowflake platform capabilities for adoption.
• Support development of responsible and secure AI usage standards aligned with data governance.
• Document system architectures, design decisions, and implementation approaches.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to analytics and data engineering team members.
• Function in accordance with operational guidelines and professional ethics.
• Participate in staff development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in data, analytics, engineering, or applied AI roles.
• Demonstrated experience building or prototyping AI/LLM-driven solutions in enterprise environments.
• Experience with modern data warehouse platforms (Snowflake preferred).
• Proficiency in SQL and Python.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) preferred.
• Healthcare or regulated industry experience preferred but not required.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of modern data warehouse architecture and analytics data modeling practices.
• Experience designing natural language query interfaces or AI-assisted analytics tools.
• Knowledge of prompt engineering, context management, and grounding techniques for LLM systems.
• Knowledge of semantic data modeling and data governance principles.
• Ability to translate complex analytical questions into scalable technical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-directed problem solver capable of leading new technical initiatives.
• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance (as listed in employment requirements).

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.
• Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.
• Primarily sitting with occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

Keywords: Principal AI Engineer, LLM, Snowflake, Cortex AI, Natural Language to SQL, Semantic Data Modeling, Data Engineering, SQL, Python

Position Perks & Benefits:

• Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life.
• Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more.
• Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive.
• Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within.
• Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.

Brightli is on a Mission:

• A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources.
• A mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities.
• A mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Brightli is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.