Principle AI Engineer

Principal AI Engineer

Salary: $190000 total package (inclusive of Superannuation) Performance Bonus
Location: Melbourne or Sydney (Hybrid)

Role Type: Permanent / Full-Time

About the Opportunity

An enterprise-wide AI Hub has been established to identify architect and drive strategic AI opportunities across the business. Operating on a centralized governance and federated delivery model the Hub connects specialized domain areasincluding Marketing & Sales Enterprise Services Software Development and Capability & Risk Management.

As we scale up throughout FY27 and target major transformational outcomes into FY28/29 we are seeking a Principal AI Engineer to bridge high-level enterprise AI strategy with practical modern software engineering execution.

Sitting across AI Engineering and Assurance squads you will act as a key connector between the central AI Hub and core Software Development domains ensuring technical choices are scalable financially optimized compliant and rapidly delivered to production.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Bridge & Architecture: Translate overarching enterprise AI strategy into clear technical roadmaps for software development teams taking a long-term view on solution architecture and longevity.
• Cross-Domain Advisory: Evaluate technology decision impacts across federated domains and squads ensuring cross-functional alignment security assurance and cohesive tech adoption.
• Engineering Standards & Delivery: Embed robust software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices modern CI/CD pipelines and rapid release mechanisms across AI-driven solutions.
• FinOps & Resource Optimization: Provide technical oversight on cloud compute and model utilization to balance AI performance with cost efficiency (FinOps).
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Lead architecture discussions guide engineering pods and elevate the technical capability of engineering teams through supportive influential leadership.

Technical Capabilities

• Strong Software Engineering Foundation: Proven track record in core software engineering modern architecture and customer-facing digital applications. (Note: This is an AI/Software Engineering leadership role not a pure Data Science or Data Engineering position.)
• AI Application Expertise: Deep practical knowledge of embedding AI models APIs and frameworks into scalable software ecosystems.
• Modern SDLC & CI/CD: Hands-on experience with automated deployment pipelines rapid customer release environments and modern cloud deployment architectures.
• FinOps Awareness: Understanding of cost management latency and resource optimization associated with running AI models at scale.

Leadership & Mindset

• Adaptable & Agile: Comfortable operating in fast-moving evolving environments where priorities and context change rapidly.
• Influential & Pragmatic: Strong facilitator who can confidently steer technical conversations challenge assumptions and drive delivery forward.
• Collaborative & Low-Ego: High emotional intelligence humility and strong interpersonal skills. Diverse background experiences outside of insurance/financial services are highly welcomed.

Whats on Offer

• An influential leadership seat at the core of a newly established high-visibility enterprise AI transformation.
• Competitive package: $190000 total package (inclusive of Superannuation) short-term incentive / performance bonus.
• Flexible working environment with a supportive forward-thinking team culture.