Principal Software Engineer, AI

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Principal AI Engineer to lead cutting-edge AI initiatives that drive efficiency, automation, and intelligent decision-making in lab operations. This role will focus on developing and deploying AI-powered task automation, workflow guidance, and intelligent analytics to optimize high-throughput lab environments.

As a technical leader, you will define the AI strategy, spearhead Generative AI, deep learning, and machine learning (ML) solutions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform how labs operate. This role requires deep expertise in AI model development, infrastructure optimization, and human-centered AI applications for enhancing user experience.

Primary Responsibilities

AI Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for AI-driven lab operations optimization.

• Identify and implement Generative AI and deep learning models for automating and enhancing lab workflows.

• Lead research and prototyping efforts in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, and fine-tuning LLMs (Large Language Models).

• Guide AI-driven solutions for task list generation, workflow guidance, and intelligent lab automation.

• Stay at the forefront of AI advancements, assessing emerging technologies for their practical application in lab operations.

Advanced AI & Machine Learning Engineering

• Architect and optimize Generative AI solutions leveraging AWS Bedrock, SageMaker, and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn).

• Develop and fine-tune custom LLMs to enhance workflow automation and decision support.

• Build real-time AI-powered applications to provide contextual recommendations and predictive insights in lab environments.

• Ensure scalability, security, and efficiency of AI/ML models for high-throughput lab operations.

• Implement MLOps best practices, including automated model training, validation, and deployment pipelines.

Software Engineering & Intelligent User Experience

• Design full-stack AI-driven applications that integrate workflow automation, task management, and decision support.

• Develop interactive dashboards and AI-driven user interfaces that enhance lab efficiency.

• Implement AI-powered guidance tools that assist lab personnel in navigating complex workflows.

• Work on backend AI services and front-end applications to deliver seamless AI-driven experiences.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Thought Leadership

• Work closely with data scientists, software engineers, and lab personnel to define and execute AI solutions.

• Lead internal and external teams in the development and deployment of Generative AI applications.

• Educate technical and business leaders on AI/ML capabilities and strategic applications.

• Advocate for and implement responsible AI practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications & Skills

Required Experience

• 12+ years of experience in software development.

• Expertise in Python, Java, SQL, and AI/ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit-learn).

• Proven experience fine-tuning LLMs, developing RAG systems, and working with Generative AI.

• 8+ years of hands-on experience deploying ML models in production using AWS SageMaker, Bedrock, or similar cloud AI platforms.

• Strong background in task automation, workflow optimization, and real-time AI applications.

• Deep expertise in cloud computing (AWS) and MLOps best practices.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a strategic mindset for AI adoption and innovation.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with custom LIMS/LES development and AI-driven lab automation.

• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and security standards in healthcare and life sciences.

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.San Carlos, CA $1—$1 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. 

Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.

For more information:
- BBB announcement on job scams 
- FBI Cyber Crime resource page