Principal AI Data Engineer

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.   

We are seeking a talented and motivated Principal AI Data Engineer to join our innovative team. As a Principal AI Data Engineer, you will play a critical role in modernizing our data infrastructure and building the next generation of data pipelines that power our AI and machine learning initiatives, including cutting-edge Generative AI applications. You will move beyond traditional ETL and work with a diverse set of technologies to design, develop, and deploy robust and scalable data solutions, including those supporting Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures with vector and graph databases. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in generative AI technologies, experience in implementing AI pipelines, and knowledge of vector and graph databases. We're looking for someone with hands-on experience in prompt engineering, unstructured data processing, and agentic workflow implementation. As a Principal AI Data Engineer, you will lead the development of advanced AI systems that leverage state-of-the-art generative models, implement efficient RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) architectures, and integrate with our data infrastructure. Familiarity with Snowflake integration and insurance industry use cases is a plus. 

This role will have a Hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of working in an office location (Hartford, CT; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; and Charlotte, NC) 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).

Primary Job Responsibilities 

• Mastery Level Skills AI Data Engineering leader responsible for a large portfolio (e.g. LOB) or across LOBs 
• AI data Engineering lead responsible for Implementing end-to-end AI data pipelines bringing structured, semi-structured and unstructured data together supporting AI and Agentic solutions. 
• Real-Time Data Streaming: Design, build and maintain scalable real-time data pipelines for efficient ingestion, processing, and delivery.  
• Drive best practices in AI data engineering by establishing standardized processes, promoting cutting-edge technologies, and ensuring data quality and compliance across the enterprise. 
• Data and Analytics Management: Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of data pipelines, data warehouses, data lakes and reporting systems.  
• Expertise in data engineering practices, knowledge of AI technologies, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams. Expertise in real-time data streaming, agentic frameworks, Data APIs, vector stores, and RAG architectures, self-serve analytics and AI. 
• Drive efficiency and Productivity: Identify and champion developer productivity improvements across the end-to-end data management lifecycle. This includes researching and implementing innovative solutions such as AI-driven auto-generation of data pipelines, advanced DevOps practices for data and automated data quality frameworks. 
• Technology Evaluation & Adoption: Stay current with emerging trends in data engineering and AI/ML, design prototypes and conduct experiments, and recommend innovative tools and technologies to enhance data capabilities enabling business strategy. 
• Data Governance, Stewardship and Quality: Define and implement robust data management frameworks to ensure successful adoption of Enterprise Data Governance and Data Quality practices. 
• Budget Management: Effectively manage the budget and financials for the portfolio. 
• Develop deep partnerships and alignment with the portfolio and agile value stream frameworks. Experience with Agile at Scale and iterative development through cross-functional teams. 
• Partners with Technology, Data, AI Platform, ML Ops and Architecture teams to influence technology, data, platform and tooling strategy. 

Qualifications: 

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the US without company sponsorship. The company will not support the STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan endorsement for this position.

• 12 years in data engineering, data management and building large-scale data ecosystems. 
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science or a related field. 
• 3+ years of AI/ML experience 
• Proven strategic and innovative thinker with a track record of enabling transformative data capabilities.  
• Mastery level data engineering and architecture skills, including deep expertise in data architecture patterns, data warehouse, data integration, data lakes, data domains, data products, business intelligence, and cloud technology capabilities. 
• Technical expertise in LLMs, AI platforms, prompt engineering, LLM optimization, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures and vector database technologies (Vertex AI, Postgres, OpenSearch, Pinecone etc.). 
• Strong experience with GCP, Vertex AI or AWS required. 
• Experience in multi cloud environment. 
• Experience in Lang chain, AI agents, Vertex AI and Google Agent ecosystem. 
• Strong experience with the design and development of complex data ecosystems leveraging next-generation cloud technology stack across AWS or GCP Cloud and Snowflake. 
• Exceptional presentation and verbal/written communication skills; must be able to communicate effectively at all levels across the organization. 
• Ability to lead successfully in a lean, agile, and fast-paced organization, leveraging Scaled Agile principles and ways of working.  
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and conflict resolution skills; adept at building strong cross-functional relationships. 
• Preferred experience in the Property & Casualty insurance industry. 

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age

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