Principal AI Applications Engineer

Job Description

Business SummaryThe Deltek Engineering and Technology team builds best-in-class solutions to delight customers and meet their business needs. We are laser-focused on software design, development, innovation and quality. Our team of experts has the talent, skills and values to deliver products and services that are easy to use, reliable, sustainable and competitive.

If you’re looking for a safe environment where ideas are welcome, growth is supported and questions are encouraged – consider joining us as we explore the limitless opportunities of the software industry. Position ResponsibilitiesAbout the RoleWe’re building an enterprise ERP system from scratch where AI isn’t a feature—it’s the foundation. Join Deltek’s Engineering and Technology team to create the first truly AI-native SMB ERP. Users will chat with their system instead of clicking through forms.

Intelligent agents will handle routine tasks autonomously. And you’ll use AI to write better code faster.

This is a greenfield project. No legacy constraints. No technical debt.

Just the opportunity to reimagine what enterprise software can be when designed for AI from day one. As a principal engineer, you’ll solve the hardest technical problems, create reference implementations that set the standard, and mentor engineers in a development paradigm that’s still emerging. You’ll prove that AI-native enterprise software isn’t just possible—it’s superior.

Key ResponsibilitiesImplement the most technically challenging features of the AI-powered ERP platform, serving as the go-to expert for complex integration and performance challengesDevelop reference implementations and coding patterns that other engineers follow when building AI-enhanced featuresImplement sophisticated prompt engineering and LLM integration solutions, ensuring security, performance, and cost-effectivenessBuild production-ready ML integration code utilizing infrastructure provided by the dedicated AI/ML infrastructure teamProvide deep technical expertise on critical implementation challenges affecting multiple teams, offering solutions based on extensive hands-on experienceCollaborate with architects to validate technical approaches through proof-of-concepts and prototypesChampion code quality, comprehensive testing, security best practices, and operational excellenceIdentify and resolve complex technical debt that impacts multiple teamsServe as technical advisor to architects and engineering leadership on implementation feasibility and development best practicesMentor and develop senior engineers, elevating implementation capabilities across the engineering organizationDrive innovation through hands-on proof-of-concepts exploring novel approaches to ERP challengesQualificationsEducation & ExperienceBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field10+ years of professional software engineering experience with extensive hands-on AI/ML systems implementationDemonstrated history of technical leadership through exceptional implementation quality on large-scale, business-critical systemsProven track record of solving complex implementation challenges that enabled significant business outcomesExperience providing technical guidance and mentoring senior engineersDeep expertise in implementing enterprise software and AI/ML integrations with production deployments at scaleTechnical SkillsProgramming Languages: Master-level expertise in Java, Python, and ability to work effectively in multiple languagesImplementation Expertise: Deep expertise in implementing distributed systems, microservices, event-driven patterns, and domain-driven designDatabase: Expert-level implementation skills with PostgreSQL including performance optimization, complex query development, and multi-tenant data patternsAI/ML Integration: Comprehensive expertise in implementing LLM systems, prompt engineering at scale, RAG architectures, and model integrationDevelopment Best Practices: Experience establishing coding standards, testing patterns, and development workflows that improve team productivityCloud & Infrastructure: Expert knowledge of implementing cloud solutions and working with managed services across AWS/Azure/OCIAPI & Integration: Deep expertise in implementing robust APIs, integration patterns, and extensible featuresObservability & Reliability: Expert in leveraging comprehensive monitoring, logging, and error handlingSecurity: Strong understanding of implementing security controls, authentication/authorization, and data protectionLeadership & Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and influence development approaches through collaborationPragmatic Thinking: Ability to balance code quality with delivery timelines, provide practical technical guidance, and align development work with business goalsAI-First MindsetThis role requires embracing an AI-first approach where GenAI and agentic AI tools are essential collaborators, not optional supplements. We expect team members who naturally think in AI-enhanced workflows and proactively integrate intelligent automation to solve ERP development challenges more efficiently.

The ideal candidate has strong interest in prompt engineering techniques and conversational AI systems, with understanding of how to craft effective prompts for business contexts. You should be curious about natural language processing and how AI enhances user experiences, along with basic awareness of AI ethics and prompt safety considerations. We’re looking for someone who approaches ERP feature development by first asking: “How can AI help me build this functionality faster and better?

” This includes being comfortable with rapid AI tool evolution, eager to experiment with new AI capabilities for prompt engineering and ERP optimization, and committed to sharing AI-enhanced approaches with the team. We value those who apply prompt engineering to solve real-world ERP business problems and see AI as a productivity multiplier for strategic development decisions, rather than a replacement for human expertise. Compensation InformationThe U.

S. salary range for this position is $81500. 00 – $142750.

00. This range is subject to change as Deltek takes a number of factors into consideration when determining individual base pay, such as location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience. Certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including incentive compensation and equity.

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