Principal Engineer/AI Architect

Principal Engineer – AI, Automation & Enterprise Architecture

Location: New York, NY | Hybrid

Type: Contract-to-Hire

We are seeking a Principal Engineer with strong experience in enterprise architecture, systems integration, data architecture, and AI/automation . This role will work closely with business and engineering teams to modernize complex business processes and design scalable technical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design integration architecture for AI, automation, APIs, RPA, and workflow platforms with enterprise systems such as CRM, ERP, Finance, and Property Management.
• Design API, event-driven, middleware, and data integration solutions.
• Analyze business processes and translate them into technical architecture and requirements .
• Define data flows, system-of-record decisions, data lineage, and integration standards .
• Determine where AI/LLMs, RPA, or traditional automation are the right solution.
• Lead architecture discussions with business stakeholders and engineering teams .
• Evaluate technology platforms and provide build vs. buy recommendations.
• Develop a phased AI/automation technical roadmap .

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years in Principal, Staff Engineer, Architect, or similar roles.
• Strong enterprise integration and data architecture experience.
• Experience with REST/GraphQL APIs, Kafka/event-driven architecture, ETL/ELT, and iPaaS such as MuleSoft, Boomi, or Workato.
• Experience with data modeling, data lineage, MDM, and system-of-record architecture .
• Understanding of AI/LLM, RPA, workflow, and automation technologies .
• Experience with BPMN or business process modeling .
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and business stakeholders .

Preferred

• Experience with OpenAI/Claude APIs, LangChain, MCP, UiPath, or Power Automate .
• Experience with Salesforce, SAP, Yardi, MRI, or NetSuite .
• TOGAF or cloud architecture certification.

Ideal candidate: A Principal/Staff Engineer or Enterprise/Integration Architect who can bridge business processes, enterprise systems, data, integrations, and AI/automation .