Principle AI Engineer

Job Description

Principal AI Engineer

Salary: $190,000 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 areas—including 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.

What’s on Offer

• An influential leadership seat at the core of a newly established, high-visibility enterprise AI transformation.
• Competitive package: $190,000 total package (inclusive of Superannuation) + short-term incentive / performance bonus.
• Flexible working environment with a supportive, forward-thinking team culture.