At A-dec, we do more than create the highest quality products and services for the dental industry; we strive to deliver a superior employment experience for each of our team members. With an environment that encourages and assists each person in developing to their highest potential, a career at A-dec is incredibly rewarding.
Overview
The Principal AI Engineer serves as the organization's most senior applied artificial intelligence (AI) technical expert, responsible for defining, architecting, and scaling enterprise grade AI capabilities across the business. This role sets technical direction for applied AI, agentic systems, and advanced analytics, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with long term business strategy.
This role combines deep hands-on expertise with architectural ownership, technical governance, and mentorship. The Principal AI Engineer leads the design of complex AI systems that span multiple business domains including supply chain, finance, operations, sales, and customer service. Success is measured by sustained business impact, platform reuse, cost efficiency, and the ability to enable other teams to safely and effectively build on AI foundations.
The role emphasizes production excellence, responsible AI practices, and pragmatic innovation rather than academic research.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Technical Skills:
Expert level proficiency in Python for building production AI systems, services, and automation
Deep understanding of data architecture, feature engineering, and data quality at enterprise scale
Strong systems design skills spanning AI models, APIs, data platforms, and enterprise integrations
Expertise in cloud-based AI architectures and deployment patterns across Azure, AWS, or GCP
Strong grounding in software engineering best practices including version control, CI CD, testing, and documentation
Expert knowledge of security, privacy, and responsible AI considerations in regulated business environments
Ability to influence technical direction without direct authority
Preferred:
Strong applied evaluation skills including experimentation design, prompt and model testing, A B testing, and production monitoring
Deep understanding of cost optimization strategies for LLMs and agentic systems including model selection, inference efficiency, and caching
Strong familiarity with MLOps platforms, model governance, and lifecycle automation
Education and Experience
Required:
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, data science, mathematics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
Fifteen plus years of progressive engineering experience with significant time spent building and scaling production AI systems
Demonstrated experience leading the architecture of complex, enterprise wide AI initiatives
Hands-on experience designing AI platforms rather than single use solutions
Deep practical experience using large language models in production business environments
Experience leading vendor evaluations, proofs of concept, and strategic technology selections
Proven track record of mentoring senior engineers and shaping applied AI practices across teams
Preferred:
Extensive hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks such as scikit learn, PyTorch, or TensorFlow
Advanced experience in integrating AI solutions with ERP, CRM, and workflow platforms
Experience with enterprise data platforms such as Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, and Dynamics D365 integrations
Experience with workflow orchestration tools such as Airflow, dbt, or cloud native alternatives
Disclaimer:
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not to be construed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. A-dec reserves the right to assign job duties and days and hours of work based on factors such as workload requirements, staffing levels, and customer demands.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
At A-dec, we value our people and show it by prioritizing an inclusive culture, total well-being, and opportunities for learning and career advancement. A background check and screen for the illegal use of drugs is required. A-dec is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, A-dec will not discriminate against applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor" A-dec is interested in qualified candidates authorized to work in the United States for US-based positions. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.