Principal Software Engineer-AI

About TRC:TRC Talent Solutions specializes in connecting elite IT and Engineering professionals with high-impact opportunities. We are partnering with a highly agile, ~80-person technology company building mission-critical data management and edge computing software for defense and government applications. With a strong engineering presence in Atlanta, this team operates in a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on solving complex, real-world challenges.SummaryWe are seeking a Staff or Senior Principal Engineer to operate at the highest level of technical influence, driving architecture and development across a suite of next-generation tactical network products. This is a product-focused engineering role centered on building resilient, distributed systems and integrating GenAI into the development lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings deep backend expertise, strong architectural vision, and the ability to operate in environments where performance and reliability are non-negotiable.ResponsibilitiesServe as a senior technical leader influencing architecture, system design, and code quality across multiple productsDesign and build distributed systems for edge and real-time environments with high reliability requirementsEvaluate, refine, and productionize AI/GenAI-generated code, ensuring accuracy and structural integrityLead development of scalable backend systems and data pipelines supporting tactical network platformsDefine and implement best practices for leveraging GenAI across the software development lifecycleCollaborate cross-functionally with engineering teams to drive product direction and technical standardsEnsure systems perform under constrained conditions including limited connectivity and edge compute environmentsRequirementsExpert-level backend development experience in Python, Go, or RustStrong hands-on experience with AI/GenAI technologies including LLMs, prompt engineering, RAG, and model evaluationProven background in distributed systems architecture (event-driven systems, fault tolerance, eventual consistency)Ability to operate in fast-paced, evolving environments with shifting product requirementsStrong system-level thinking with the ability to design end-to-end architecturesU.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain DoD Secret ClearanceTRC Talent Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status,