Principal AI Engineer

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a highly experienced Artificial Intelligence Architect to lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and innovative AI systems for Financial Services applications. This role requires a deep understanding of both AI/ML technologies and enterprise architecture, enabling you to drive the development of robust solutions that align with business goals while adhering to industry standards for compliance and performance.

In this role, you will:

• Act as an advisor to leadership to develop or influence applications, network, information security, database, operating systems, or web technologies for highly complex business and technical needs across multiple groups
• Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex and unique challenges requiring in-depth evaluation across multiple areas or the enterprise, delivering solutions that are long-term, large-scale and require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking
• Translate advanced technology experience, an in-depth knowledge of the organizations tactical and strategic business objectives, the enterprise technological environment, the organization structure, and strategic technological opportunities and requirements into technical engineering solution
• Provide vision, direction and expertise to leadership on implementing innovative and significant business solutions
• Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and new technologies and recommends innovations that enhance operations or provide a competitive advantage to the organization
• Strategically engage with all levels of professionals and managers across the enterprise and serve as an expert advisor to leadership
• Define the architectural vision for AI initiatives and align it with organizational priorities.
• Develop frameworks and standards for building and deploying machine learning and AI solutions in production environments.
• Establish AI architecture guidelines that prioritize security, fairness, and compliance with financial regulations.
• Advocate for best practices in MLOps, CI/CD pipelines, and model monitoring.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and integration or AI tools, platforms, and frameworks for EFT including evaluation of emerging AI frameworks and methodologies.
• Mentor engineering and data science teams on architectural best practices for AI solutions.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
• 7+ years of experience in software development
• 5+ years of Java, Python, OpenShift containers, and other relevant technologies
• 5+ years of AI and ML concepts, including deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision
• 3+ years of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic workflows in generative AI applications
• 2+ years of strong understanding of multi-cloud environments (Azure, GCP, OpenShift) and hands-on experience with cloud-native development and Cloud migration of applications

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, artificial intelligence or a related field
• Knowledge of Chatbots, MS365 Copilot, GPT-4o, OSWorld, SWE-Bench, HumanEval is preferred
• Experience with other programming languages, such as C++
• Experience with the agile development methodologies and version control systems such as GIT
• Certification in AI, machine learning or a related field
• Strong focus on Generative AI model safety and accuracy, with awareness of ethical and risk considerations.
• Proficiency in DevOps tools and practices, including infrastructure as code. Strong experience collaborating with product and business stakeholders to deliver valuable and user-centric solutions.
• Financial industry experience or familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with business priorities.
• Expertise in test-driven development methodologies. Cybersecurity and Risk Mindset: proactively identifies risks and integrates secure practices into development workflows.
• End-user experience focused: delivers intuitive, valuable solutions that align with employee needs.
• Mission-aligned: shares Wells Fargo’s vision of transforming the employee experience through generative AI.
• Excellent problem-solving skills come up with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues
• Strong collaboration and communication skills come with the ability to work effectively with cross functional

Job Expectations:

• This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship
• Ability to work on-site at approved location listed
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Posting End Date: 

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Diversity

At Wells Fargo, we believe in diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace; accordingly, we welcome applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Candidates applying to job openings posted in US: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace.  Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.