Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer

About the role

About Us

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced Artificial Intelligence professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Principal AI & Machine Learning Engineer.

Responsibilities

The Principal Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) Engineer is the technical leader responsible for embedding artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows and analytic processes to drive measurable gains in productivity, insight generation, and decision support within the Data Analytics & Research (DAR) division. Highly regarded for exceptional performance and deep technical expertise, this role focuses on applied, production-ready AI/ML, driving groundbreaking initiatives that embed artificial intelligence into enterprise workflows

Reporting to the Senior Director, Analytics Engineering, the Principal AI/ML Engineer partners closely with Data Engineering, Data Governance, and cross-functional business stakeholders to ensure that AI solutions are scalable, secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise data strategy. This role operates as a senior individual contributor and technical authority, setting standards for AI development practice, mentoring teammates on applied AI techniques, and translating complex machine learning capabilities into enterprise-grade systems that deliver lasting organizational value. The Principal AI/ML Engineer is a recognized expert in the field, frequently sought out for technical guidance, mentorship, and thought leadership both within the organization and across the broader AI and higher education data community.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

Candidates must live in the United States

Hybrid Work & Travel: Employees can live anywhere in the US or its territories, with the willingness and ability to travel for periodic in-person events—including semi-annual Common App retreats, department retreats, and strategic leadership sessions

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative or technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

8-10 years of progressive experience in machine learning, AI engineering, or data science, with at least 3 years focused on applied AI and production ML systems

Demonstrated experience integrating LLMs and generative AI into enterprise analytic or operational workflows

Demonstrated experience working within enterprise data governance and compliance frameworks

Expertise in applied machine learning and AI, including supervised and unsupervised learning, natural language processing, and large language model integration (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source LLMs via Hugging Face)

Demonstrated experience designing and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems, including end-to-end ML pipelines covering training, evaluation, versioning, deployment, and monitoring

Proficiency in R and Python for machine learning and AI development; familiarity with ML frameworks such as scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or equivalent

Experience building and operationalizing LLM-powered applications, including prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and tool/agent orchestration frameworks

Strong SQL skills and experience working with large-scale cloud data platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery); ability to design AI-ready data pipelines within enterprise warehouse environments

Knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI principles, and compliance considerations for AI systems handling sensitive or personally identifiable data

Proven ability to serve as a senior technical individual contributor, setting standards, making architectural decisions, and mentoring peers without formal management authority

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex AI/ML concepts into accessible language for non-technical stakeholders and executive audiences

Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deliver high-quality AI solutions in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

The ideal candidate will possess:

Master's or doctoral degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field

Relevant AI/ML or cloud certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Machine Learning Professional, AWS Machine Learning Specialty, or equivalent)

Experience working with Agile frameworks for cross-functional, product-minded collaboration

Experience with agentic AI frameworks.

Familiarity with Databricks AI features, including MLflow, Model Serving, and Genie or semantic layer integrations

Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven technology contexts

Advanced training in statistics, causal inference, or program evaluation methods

A passion for higher education is a plus.

PAY RANGE

$144,160 - $162,180

Benefits

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees' time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:

Work-Life balance

Virtual-first office

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Seven company-wide holidays

Nine floating holidays*

Sick leave

Monthly mental health day

floating holidays prorated depending on start date

Virtual-first support

Choice of PC of MAC laptop

May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset

One-time office set-up stipend

Monthly remote work stipend

Monthly mobile stipend

Financial security

Market-based salaries

Performance-based bonus

403(b) retirement plan

5% company contribution

additional 5% company match

3-year vesting schedule

Participation may begin immediately

Health & wellness

Choice of two health insurance plans

Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection

Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Maven virtual clinic for women's and family health

Company provided life and ad&d insurance

Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents

Company provided short and long-term disability insurance

Career development

Budgeted annual funds for professional development

Growth opportunities within the company

Additional perks

Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program

Mutual of Omaha will preparation services

Mutual of Omaha travel assistance

Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws

1Password family account

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

How Do i Apply

To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.

PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:

During the recruiting process, please note that Common App will never:

Provide a job offer without an interview

Ask for payment to process documents, purchase equipment or for any other reason

Request banking or credit card information

Direct you to third-party services to obtain visas or other documentation

As we work alongside you through our recruitment process, please remain alert and never provide financial information or payment to anyone claiming to offer a job opportunity.

If you believe you're a victim of a job scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state attorney general. To learn more about job scams, read the FBI's public service announcement or visit the FTC site.