Principal Software Engineer

About the role

Overview

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for driving the design, architecture, and delivery of large-scale AI-powered systems across retail platforms.

This role leads complex AI initiatives from concept to production, influences engineering direction, and ensures systems are scalable, reliable, and aligned with business outcomes.

Overview Of Responsibilities

Advanced AI System Design

Lead design and development of complex AI/ML systems at scale

Translate ambiguous business problems into robust system architectures

Select models and frameworks based on:

Performance

Explainability

Operational constraints

Define reusable:

AI platforms

Frameworks

Service patterns

Architecture & Technical Leadership

Define reference architectures for AI and platform systems

Lead design for:

Distributed systems

Real-time inference

Agentic workflows

Ensure systems meet:

Scalability

Reliability

Cost efficiency

AI Innovation & Retail Impact

Identify and drive high-impact AI use cases:

Store intelligence

Associate copilots

Inventory optimization

Build:

Agentic AI workflows

Autonomous systems

Intelligent decision engines

MLOps & Platform Excellence

Define and standardize:

Model lifecycle management

Monitoring and observability

Evaluation frameworks

Establish best practices for:

AI governance

Responsible AI

System reliability

Product & Business Influence

Partner with Product and Business teams to:

Shape technical direction

Influence solution design

Ensure alignment with outcomes

Provide technical leadership in:

Trade-offs

Feasibility

Scalability decisions

Production & Operational Leadership (Build + Run)

Ensure systems are:

Production-ready

Observable

Maintainable

Lead resolution of:

Critical production issues

System performance challenges

Improve system resilience and uptime

Technical Mentorship & Influence

Mentor engineers and technical leads

Drive engineering standards and best practices

Influence architecture and design across teams

Qualifications

15+ years of experience in software engineering and 2 years in AI/ML

Deep expertise in:

Distributed systems

Cloud-native architecture

AI/ML systems

Hands-on experience with:

Generative AI / LLMs

Agentic AI systems

Data pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading large-scale AI initiatives

Strong background in:

Real-time systems

High-scale platforms

AI observability

Core Competencies

Communication

Customer Focus

Driving for Results

Positive Approach

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

Competitive pay

Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health

Vacation accrual plan

Opportunities for career growth

15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts

Flexible schedules

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match

Company paid life insurance

Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun!

Eligibility Requirements May Apply For The Following Benefits

Bonus based on company and/or individual performance

Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision

Health Savings Account with company match

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care

Company paid short-term disability coverage

Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers

Paid holidays

Get Paid Every Day!

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free. We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday.

You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

Why Sprouts

Grow with us!

If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting. Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Sprouts will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance.

California Residents: We collect information in accordance with California law, please see here for more information.