> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3428453-principal-data-ai-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3428453-principal-data-ai-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Principal Data & AI Engineer

- **Company:** THE JUDGE GROUP, INC.
- **Location:** Minneapolis, MN, United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $180,960.0 - $193,440.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Microsoft Excel, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Spreadsheets, Cloud Database, Profiling, Information Systems, Databases, Continuous Integration, Data Validation, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Integration, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Data Transformation, Data Systems, Github, Python (Programming Language), Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Azure, Performance Tuning, Windows PowerShell, Release Management, Power BI, Azure Data Lake, SQL Stored Procedures, SQL Databases, Web Applications, Data Processing, Freeform SQL, Enterprise Software Applications, Microsoft Power Automate, Azure Data Factory, GitHub Copilot, Office365, Prompt Engineering, Apache Spark, Generative AI, Microsoft Fabric, Data Lakes, Pyspark, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Enterprise Integration, Tools for Reporting, Data Pipelines, Powerapps, Databricks
- **Published:** September 14, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/61da42ba-fe7e-45a2-a1f7-6b1e13008001

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
 * 7+ years of experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, database engineering, or a related technical discipline.
 * 7+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server and advanced SQL development.
 * Experience designing and implementing scalable ETL/ELT pipelines.
 * Experience working with Microsoft Fabric or a comparable cloud-based data platform.
 * Experience with relational, dimensional, semantic, and analytical data modeling.
 * Experience integrating data from enterprise systems and external sources, including APIs, flat files, spreadsheets, and web-based data sources.
 * Experience with data quality management, profiling, validation, reconciliation, and monitoring.
 * Experience supporting BI, analytics, and reporting solutions.
 * Experience using AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and data analysis.
 * Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to business and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

 * Experience with Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse, Warehouse, Data Factory, Dataflows Gen2, Notebooks, and Semantic Models.
 * Experience with Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Data Factory, or related Azure data services.
 * Experience with Power BI, including DAX, semantic modeling, performance optimization, and executive reporting.
 * Experience with Python, PySpark, PowerShell, or similar automation and data transformation technologies.
 * Experience with Databricks, Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and Lakehouse architectures.
 * Experience with Medallion Architecture and enterprise data governance frameworks.
 * Experience with Power Apps and Power Automate.
 * Experience working in regulated environments handling confidential or sensitive data.
 * Experience with GitHub, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and release management.
 * Experience supporting both traditional business intelligence and AI-driven analytical solutions.

## Description

We are seeking a Principal Data & AI Engineer to lead the design, development, and delivery of enterprise data products that support workforce analytics, operational reporting, executive decision-making, and AI-assisted insights.

In this role, you will combine deep expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, data modeling, and modern data engineering practices to build trusted, scalable, and analytics-ready solutions. You will work across structured and unstructured data sources, create reusable analytical models, and leverage generative AI tools to accelerate development, testing, and analysis.

This is a highly hands-on individual contributor role requiring both technical leadership and execution. You will own data solutions from source assessment through ingestion, transformation, governance, modeling, and delivery., * Design, build, deploy, and support scalable data pipelines and integration solutions using Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Fabric.

 * Develop reusable ETL/ELT frameworks that deliver governed, trusted, and analytics-ready data products.
 * Author and optimize complex SQL queries, stored procedures, views, and performance-tuned data processing solutions.
 * Design enterprise data models and semantic layers that enable analytics, reporting, self-service BI, and AI-assisted analysis.
 * Build and maintain Lakehouse and Medallion-based data architectures that support enterprise-scale analytics.
 * Integrate data from databases, APIs, enterprise applications, spreadsheets, files, reports, and approved external sources.
 * Establish data validation, reconciliation, monitoring, and quality controls to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
 * Create curated datasets and semantic models for consumption through Power BI, Excel, and AI-enabled workflows.
 * Utilize approved generative AI tools to accelerate data analysis, development, testing, troubleshooting, documentation, and knowledge sharing.
 * Review and validate AI-generated code, SQL, calculations, and analytical outputs to ensure accuracy and compliance.
 * Partner with business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable technical solutions and actionable insights.
 * Produce clear technical documentation, data definitions, architecture diagrams, and operational procedures.
 * Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy, security, risk, and regulatory requirements.
 * Provide technical leadership and best-practice guidance on data engineering, modeling, and analytics initiatives.

Technical Expertise
Core Technologies

 * Microsoft SQL Server
 * Microsoft Fabric
 * Azure Data Services
 * Power BI
 * Advanced Microsoft Excel

Data Engineering & Analytics

 * Data Modeling
 * ETL/ELT Development
 * Data Quality & Governance
 * Medallion Architecture
 * Semantic Modeling
 * Lakehouse Design

AI & Developer Productivity

 * Microsoft 365 Copilot
 * GitHub Copilot
 * Claude Code
 * VS Code AI Extensions
 * Prompt Engineering
 * AI-Assisted Analytics and Development

Nice to Have

 * Databricks
 * Delta Lake
 * Apache Spark
 * Power Apps
 * Power Automate
 * Python / PySpark
 * Azure DevOps


## Related Videos

- [Innovating Developer Tools with AI: Insights from GitHub Next](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1268-innovating-developer-tools-with-ai-insights-from-github-next)
- [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data)
- [Beyond Dashboards: Fixing Text-to-SQL with Semantic RAG](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2036-beyond-dashboards-fixing-text-to-sql-with-semantic-rag)
- [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology)
- [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail)
- [Data Analytics with Microsoft Fabric: End-to-End Use Case with Data Agents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1547-data-analytics-with-microsoft-fabric-end-to-end-use-case-with-data-agents)

## Related Articles

- [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer)
- [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)
- [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk)
- [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)
- [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story)
- [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift)