# Principal Engineer, AI Platform

**Company:** [Pinterest](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/pinterest)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $243k – $500k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** C++, Java, Rust, Ai/Ml Infrastructure, Distributed Systems, Generative AI, Recommender Systems, Model Training, Model Inference, Feature Stores
**Posted:** 2026-06-12

> Principal Engineer setting technical vision and building AI/ML infrastructure for Generative AI and Recommender Systems at Pinterest, scaling to hundreds of millions of inferences per second. Requires deep expertise in distributed systems and proven cross-org technical leadership.

## Job Description

## What you’ll do

- Set the technical vision and roadmap for the Pinterest AI Platform, aligning with business priorities and long-term company strategy.
- Drive cross-functional strategic initiatives that advance our platform capabilities across:
  - Generative AI: multimodal data management, post-training, evaluation, and batch/online inference.
  - Recommender Systems: feature stores, training infra, and large-scale high performance inference.
  - AI-powered tools that automate the user experience across our platforms, connecting every stage of the AI/ML lifecycle to enhance productivity and accelerate development.
- Cultivate a collaborative and inclusive culture where every team member feels welcome and empowered, and provide candid, constructive feedback that accelerates individual and team growth.

## What we’re looking for

- Deep expertise in AI/ML infrastructure and distributed systems: Hands-on experience designing, building, and operating highly available, production-grade systems at large scale; strong technical judgment; and proficiency in at least one of C++, Java, or Rust.
- Proven track record of company-wide impact: Experience leading cross-organizational initiatives, navigating ambiguity, defining technical strategy, influencing architecture decisions, and aligning cross-functional partners and executives around a shared direction.
- Strong ownership and a high engineering bar: Sets and upholds high standards for engineering quality, integrity, and accountability, and takes end-to-end ownership of outcomes.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.

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**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/c756a90d-b5f0-4a68-9a99-fd4c5b793726