Principal, AI/ML Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a pioneering international financial institution that was established in 199

• The EBRD's mission is to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in countries from Central Europe to Central Asia and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. The organization operates in over 30 countries and employs a diverse workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The EBRD is committed to sustainable development and aims to support projects that enhance economic growth and improve living standards in the regions it serves.

Job Overview:
The Principal, AI/ML Engineer is responsible for leading the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of AI and ML solutions within their designated area. This role requires a combination of strong technical leadership and a focus on delivering outcomes that align with the Bank's broader AI strategy and long-term objectives. The Principal will work closely with various squads to ensure that engineering activities are aligned with the Bank's AI strategic vision and architectural principles. They will also be accountable for shaping technical approaches for AI/ML systems, contributing to the development of reference architectures, and leading technical discovery activities such as proofs of concept and vendor evaluations. The role emphasizes the importance of responsible AI considerations, ensuring that fairness, privacy, and safety are integrated into all AI initiatives. Additionally, the Principal will mentor engineers, engage with senior stakeholders, and maintain an understanding of commodity AI solutions while ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and governance guardrails are applied.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal, AI/ML Engineer will lead the design and delivery of AI/ML solutions, ensuring high standards of performance, scalability, and maintainability. They will oversee the implementation of end-to-end ML workflows, manage the AI/ML lifecycle from prototyping to deployment, and promote modern AI techniques. The role includes defining testing and validation approaches for AI/ML solutions, ensuring monitoring practices are in place, and leading the implementation of MLOps practices. The Principal will also guide the optimization of data pipelines and support the evaluation of cloud-based AI/ML services. They will be responsible for ensuring that ethical AI principles are embedded in solution design and implementation, and will represent the team in internal and external technical forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must hold a degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related technical field, or possess equivalent industry experience with a strong focus on AI and ML systems. Significant hands-on experience in developing and delivering production-grade AI/ML solutions within cloud environments, particularly Azure, is essential. Proven ability to design, implement, and support resilient AI/ML solutions in production environments is required, along with practical experience with Azure-based AI services. Candidates should be well-versed in modern machine learning approaches, MLOps practices, and cloud-based AI architectures. Proficiency in Python and common machine learning frameworks is necessary, as well as experience in designing APIs and building microservices.

Educational Background:
A degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related technical field is required. Equivalent industry experience may also be considered. The educational background should include a strong focus on AI and ML systems, with an emphasis on practical applications and hands-on experience in relevant technologies.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant hands-on experience in developing and delivering production-grade AI/ML solutions, ideally within cloud environments such as Azure. Experience in designing and implementing resilient AI/ML solutions in production settings is crucial. Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure and AWS, as well as experience in supporting and maintaining cloud-based infrastructure, is also important. The role requires a clear understanding of AI ethics, model governance, and explainability principles, along with the ability to contribute to technical direction and support alignment across teams.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, as the role requires effective communication across diverse and multicultural teams. The ability to tailor messages to both technical and non-technical stakeholders is essential. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a fixed-term contract lasting three years. The EBRD promotes a hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals, emphasizing trust and connectedness. The organization values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates from EBRD member countries to apply, regardless of their background. The EBRD provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits and prioritizes employee wellbeing.