At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
We're building AI systems that don't sit in demos; they run the business.
This is a Principal-level, hands-on engineering role focused on solving the most complex, high-impact problems and turning them into reliable, production-grade systems. You will operate at the intersection of AI and distributed systems, designing and building solutions that integrate into real workflows across HR, Finance, IT, and Legal.
You are accountable for both how systems are designed and how they perform in production, such as reliability, latency, cost, and failure handling.
This role goes beyond execution. The systems you build and the decisions you make will influence how similar problems are approached across teams, raising the bar for how AI is applied in production.
We're looking for someone who is deeply hands-on, highly resourceful, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. You connect dots quickly, move from problem to solution without waiting for perfect direction, and take ownership of outcomes, not just code.
If you care about impact, autonomy, and seeing your work run at scale in real environments, this is that role.
This position will offer flexibility for hybrid work schedules to include both in-office presence and telecommute/virtual work, to be based from either Houston or Dallas, TX.
Key Responsibilities
Design and build production AI systems end-to-end, from initial concept through deployment and operation
Own the architecture and implementation of the systems you build, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and maintainable
Translate ambiguous, high-impact problems into practical system designs and working solutions
Drive technical direction through your work, influencing how similar systems are designed and built across teams
Integrate AI capabilities (LLMs, RAG, agents) into real applications, services, and workflows
Design and implement services, APIs, and event-driven systems that connect AI with enterprise platforms
Own system behavior in production, including reliability, latency, cost, and failure handling
Establish strong observability, evaluation, and feedback loops to continuously improve system performance
Debug and resolve complex issues across data, models, infrastructure, and application layers
Raise the bar for engineering quality through hands-on development and technical leadership
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree plus at least 10 years of software engineering experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
Proven track record of building and operating production software systems (e.g., services, APIs, distributed systems), with AI/LLMs as a core component, not limited to experimentation or modeling
Strong background in backend or distributed systems engineering (services, APIs, event-driven systems, data pipelines)
Experience designing and implementing AI-enabled systems (e.g., RAG, agent-based systems) within real applications
Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous problems and drive them through design, build, and production operation
Proven ownership of systems in production, including debugging, incident response, and performance optimization
Ability to influence technical direction through execution and technical depth
Practical AI mindset, strong curiosity paired with judgment to apply emerging AI capabilities where they deliver real, measurable impact
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building reusable components or shared capabilities that accelerate development across teams
Experience integrating with enterprise systems (ERP, HR, CRM, workflow platforms)
Strong understanding of observability, evaluation, and performance optimization for AI systems
Experience operating systems under real-world constraints (latency, cost, scale)
Additional Information
Relocation assistance is not available for this position
Sponsorship for US work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.
Offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The range for this position is $170000 to $230000.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.