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Principal Software Engineer, Applied AI

Lila Sciences· Software
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Hybrid (Cambridge, MA and San Francisco, CA)$204k - $310kFull-timePosted 10mo ago

About the role

Principal Software Engineer to design and optimize backend systems, data pipelines, and AI integrations for an AI-driven scientific platform, bridging backend engineering and applied AI to production-grade systems.

Responsibilities

  • Applied AI Integration: Design and deploy backend services and data pipelines that directly support advanced AI applications, including LLMs, RAG, and agentic frameworks.
  • API & Service Development: Build high-performance APIs and microservices that enable seamless integration between AI models, scientific tools, and user-facing applications.
  • Data Pipeline Architecture: Architect and manage scalable pipelines capable of handling structured, unstructured, and vectorized data for AI/ML workloads.
  • Database & Knowledge Systems: Implement and optimize SQL, NoSQL, and vector databases to support low-latency AI retrieval and inference workloads.
  • Cloud & Infrastructure: Leverage AWS, Kubernetes, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform/CloudFormation) to build robust, production-ready AI platforms.
  • Performance & Reliability: Diagnose system bottlenecks, optimize for cost and speed, and ensure the reliability and fault-tolerance of AI-driven workflows.
  • Collaboration: Partner with ML researchers, platform engineers, and scientists to translate models and algorithms into scalable, production-ready systems.

Qualifications

  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • Backend & Data Expertise: 7+ years of professional experience building and scaling production systems, including APIs, data pipelines, and distributed services.
  • Programming Skills: Strong Python skills (FastAPI, Flask, Django), with solid experience in backend service development.
  • Databases: Proven experience with SQL, NoSQL, and vector databases; skilled in schema design, indexing, and query optimization.
  • Applied AI Systems: Hands-on experience integrating ML models or AI-driven workflows into production services.
  • Cloud & DevOps: Proficiency with AWS, Docker/Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code.
  • Communication & Problem-Solving: Ability to work cross-functionally with diverse teams and explain complex technical concepts to non-experts.

Skills

Required:PythonAPIs & MicroservicesData PipelinesDatabasesCloud & DevOpsApplied AI SystemsCommunication

Benefits

  • Full-time U.S. benefits including medical, dental, and vision; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with holidays; paid parental leave; educational assistance; commuter benefits including bike share; company-subsidized lunch program.
  • International benefits tailored to region; USD salary ranges apply to U.S.-based positions; international salaries set to local market.
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Lila Sciences

Pioneering Scientific Superintelligence

Pioneering Scientific Superintelligence to solve humankind’s greatest challenges.

Scientific SuperintelligenceAIAutonomous LabsLife SciencesChemical SciencesMaterials Sciences
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