Principal Software Engineer

• Serve as the technical lead for AI initiatives within warehouse and fulfillment operations.
• Design and implement machine learning-driven decision systems that outperform rule-based approaches.
• Select and justify appropriate ML techniques (e.g., supervised/unsupervised learning, optimization, genetic algorithms, neural networks) based on problem constraints and tradeoffs.
• Compare and evaluate AI-based approaches against existing algorithmic or rules-based systems.

System Architecture & Technical Direction

• Architect end-to-end AI systems, including:
• Model pipelines
• Interfaces between services
• Orchestration of AI agents and sub-agents
• Cloud deployment patterns
• Clearly communicate architectural designs to Java and Python developers, even if not coding every component personally.
• Define design patterns, interfaces, and system boundaries for scalable, maintainable solutions.

Hands-On Prototyping

• Build prototypes and proofs of concept, especially in early-stage or small-team environments.
• Work closely with a small AI team (initially partnering with a senior engineer) and help shape the future structure of the function.

Collaboration & Operational Understanding

• Partner with operations, engineering, and robotics teams to translate real-world warehouse workflows into AI-driven solutions.
• Spend time onsite in warehouses to understand operational realities (travel required).
• Support go-lives and iteration cycles for deployed AI systems.

• Deep expertise in Machine Learning
• Strong understanding of ML algorithms, model selection, tradeoffs, and limitations
• Ability to clearly explain why one approach is chosen over another
• Strong Python proficiency for ML development
• Experience with frameworks such as PyTorch, scikit-learn, or similar
• Principal-level engineering capability
• Proven experience designing and architecting complex systems
• Ability to lead and guide other engineers technically
• Strong software architecture fundamentals
• Solid grasp of object-oriented programming concepts and design patterns
• Ability to communicate designs effectively to Java developers
• Experience with Computer Vision
• Object detection, image/video processing, or vision-based ML systems
• Working knowledge of LLMs
• Understanding of how LLMs can be applied, integrated, and orchestrated
• Does not need to be an LLM specialist
• Cloud experience
• GCP experience is preferred, but AWS/Azure backgrounds are acceptable

Plusses:

• Prior experience in warehouse, fulfillment, or distribution environments
• Familiarity with robotics, automation, or AI-driven operational systems
• Exposure to IoT concepts (protocols are not required)
• Experience transitioning from rule-based systems to ML-driven solutions

Insight Global is looking for a machine-learning-first Principal Engineer who can architect and lead AI systems for operational decision-making, explain technical tradeoffs clearly, prototype solutions hands-on, and guide other engineers. This person we hire will lead the design and application of AI-driven decision systems for warehouse operations. This role is focused on using machine learning, computer vision, and LLMs to improve operational outcomes-such as picking, carton flow, and goods-to-person workflows-beyond what traditional rules-based or algorithmic systems can achieve. This is not a developer-productivity or "AI to write code faster" role. The emphasis is on AI for operational decision-making in real-world environments. The ideal candidate is a machine-learning-first engineer who can architect systems, lead technical direction, and prototype solutions, while guiding other engineers through clear design patterns and interfaces.