Principal Software Engineer, AI Innovation

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer AI Innovation
Career Architecture Role: Software Engineer
Career Architecture Tier: E35 (Principal Expert Track)

Job Summary:

This is a founding engineer role in a new innovation-focused team being built from scratch within Pearsons Enterprise Innovation function. The mission of the team is to drive early-stage high-impact innovation initiatives: solving customer problems supporting strategic deals and co-innovating with external partners.

You will lead the design and delivery of advanced AI solutions collaborate with partners and product leaders to co-innovate assess technical feasibility and drive architecture decisions for high-impact ambiguous early-stage projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify assess and co-develop AI-driven innovation opportunities.

• Shape and prototype early-stage ideas taking undefined problems and helping define what gets built.

• Lead technical feasibility reviews and shape architecture for enterprise-scale AI initiatives.

• Decide how projects are executed whether built internally handed off to partners or scaled through dedicated delivery teams and drive that execution.

• Build and prototype across the full stack using modern tools and infrastructure.

• Guide multiple engineering squads ensuring execution of the co-innovation strategy and measurable business impact.

• Collaborate closely with UX and Product to deliver differentiated cross-functional solutions.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Automated AI (AutoAI) AI Agents (Advanced):Architect and deliver innovative AI solutions.

• Full-Stack Engineering Modern Development Tools (Advanced):Build and prototype end-to-end across frontend backend and infrastructure.

• Cloud Computing API Management DevOps Data Security Information Security (Advanced):Lead technical execution and ensure compliance.

• Collaboration Innovation Cross-Functional Working Technical Acumen Problem Solving (Advanced):Influence across teams and partners shape ideas and drive differentiated solutions.

• Comfort with Ambiguity Builder Mindset (Advanced):Operate effectively in undefined fast-moving early-stage environments.

• Learning to Learn Adaptability Ethical Responsibility (EffectiveAdvanced):Embrace new technologies and maintain high ethical standards.

Qualifications (Education & Experience):

• Extensive experience in software engineering and AI innovation with a broad full-stack skillset.

• Proven track record of working on early-stage or 01 products shaping direction rather than only executing defined requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity and collaborate cross-functionally with UX Product and external partners.

• Proven track record in partner co-development and technical delivery.

• Deep expertise in software architecture cloud and emerging AI technologies.

• A career history showing adaptability across products or problem spaces.

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