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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Machine Learning Engineer - **Company:** The Smart - **Location:** Reading, PA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Artificial Neural Networks, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Information Engineering, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Software Construction, Unstructured Data, Large Language Models, IT Architecture, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Core Data, Machine Learning Operations, Golang, Microservices - **Published:** September 28, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/us6bc238d4de93bf90599ed71851aa1062/eaa ## About the Role Principal Level (10+ years of experience in machine learning/AI engineering)., We are seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to architect, develop, and advise on end-to-end AI solutions leveraging large language models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic systems. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who wants to remain highly technical rather than move into people management, while providing technical strategy and architectural guidance to a growing data science team. The ideal candidate has played a lead role in designing and establishing a new agentic RAG-based system, with demonstrated ownership of meaningful architectural and technical decisions - not simply a contributor within a larger team., * Deep expertise in LLMs, RAG, and agentic systems. * Experience with Model Context Protocol (MCP) and vector databases. * Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP). * Strong Python development skills and AI architecture experience. * Experience with MLOps and software engineering best practices. * Strong data engineering skills. * Demonstrated experience designing, architecting, and implementing a new agentic RAG-based system, with evidence of meaningful architectural and technical decision-making (not solely as a contributor within a larger team). * Engineering experience beyond core data science, including microservices architecture and cloud computing. Preferred Qualifications * Experience with GoLang. * Experience working with unstructured data and document-heavy domains. * Experience supporting or mentoring less senior data scientists/engineers as a technical lead., * Strong technical depth with a preference for remaining hands-on rather than pursuing people management. * Proven ability to make and own architectural and technical decisions on complex AI systems. * Strong collaboration skills, particularly working closely with architects and cross-functional teams. * Comfortable evaluating and adopting emerging tools and frameworks. * Excellent communication skills for translating technical strategy across teams. * Strong end-to-end systems thinking across AI architecture and production environments. ## Description AI Architecture & Solution Design * Architect, develop, and advise on end-to-end AI solutions leveraging LLMs, RAG, agentic systems, and cloud-scale infrastructure. * Construct, study, and train algorithms that learn from complex, high-dimensionality data to uncover patterns for predictive models and applications. * Apply techniques such as random forests, deep learning, generative modeling, and neural network memory to improve NLP and machine perception algorithms. Proof of Concept & Technology Evaluation * Develop proofs of concept and initial implementations for new AI capabilities. * Evaluate and test-drive new frameworks and tools to inform technical direction. Technical Strategy & Leadership * Work closely with architects to guide teams on AI system design and best practices. * Provide technical strategy and stay current with industry standards in AI and machine learning. * Understand the full environment and systems end to end, ensuring production readiness. * Align AI system design with business and technical goals. ## Related Videos - [Go with the Flow: Stop the Leaks Before Your Memory's a Waterfall!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100073-go-with-the-flow-stop-the-leaks-before-your-memory-s-a-waterfall) - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Microservices: how to get started with Spring Boot and Kubernetes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/242-microservices-how-to-get-started-with-spring-boot-and-kubernetes) - [Navigating the AI Revolution in Software Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1266-navigating-the-ai-revolution-in-software-development) - [Scoring 2000 Products per Request: Performance Pitfalls in Golang](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2073-scoring-2000-products-per-request-performance-pitfalls-in-golang) - [The State of GenAI & Machine Learning in 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1383-the-state-of-genai-machine-learning-in-2025) ## Related Articles - [What Are Large Language Models?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/304-what-are-large-language-models) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [Graph and AI Trends 2026: Why Is AI Running but Not Yet Delivering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/680-graph-and-ai-trends-2026-why-is-ai-running-but-not-yet-delivering) - [What is Agentic Programming and Why Should Developers Care?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/625-what-is-agentic-programming-and-why-should-developers-care) - [MLOps – What’s the deal behind it?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/125-mlops-what-s-the-deal-behind-it)