Principal Software Engineer, AI Innovation

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer, AI Innovation

Career Architecture Role: Software Engineer

Career Architecture Tier: E35 (Principal, Expert Track)

This is a founding engineer role in a new, innovation-focused team being built from scratch within Pearson's Enterprise Innovation function. The mission of the team is to drive early stage, high-impact innovation initiatives: solving customer problems, supporting strategic deals, and co innovating with external partners.

You will lead the design and delivery of advanced AI solutions, collaborate with partners and product leaders to co innovate, assess technical feasibility, and drive architecture decisions for high impact, ambiguous, early stage projects.

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify, assess, and co develop AI driven innovation opportunities.
• Shape and prototype early stage ideas, taking undefined problems and helping define what gets built.
• Lead technical feasibility reviews and shape architecture for enterprise scale AI initiatives.
• Decide how projects are executed - whether built internally, handed off to partners, or scaled through dedicated delivery teams - and drive that execution.
• Build and prototype across the full stack, using modern tools and infrastructure.
• Guide multiple engineering squads, ensuring execution of the co innovation strategy and measurable business impact.
• Collaborate closely with UX and Product to deliver differentiated, cross functional solutions.

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Automated AI (AutoAI), AI Agents (Advanced): Architect and deliver innovative AI solutions.
• Full Stack Engineering, Modern Development Tools (Advanced): Build and prototype end to end across frontend, backend, and infrastructure.
• Cloud Computing, API Management, DevOps, Data Security, Information Security (Advanced): Lead technical execution and ensure compliance.
• Collaboration, Innovation, Cross Functional Working, Technical Acumen, Problem Solving (Advanced): Influence across teams and partners, shape ideas, and drive differentiated solutions.
• Comfort with Ambiguity, Builder Mindset (Advanced): Operate effectively in undefined, fast moving, early stage environments.
• Learning to Learn, Adaptability, Ethical Responsibility (Effective-Advanced): Embrace new technologies and maintain high ethical standards.

• Extensive experience in software engineering and AI innovation, with a broad full stack skillset.
• Proven track record of working on early stage or 0 1 products, shaping direction rather than only executing defined requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity and collaborate cross functionally with UX, Product, and external partners.
• Proven track record in partner co development and technical delivery.
• Deep expertise in software architecture, cloud, and emerging AI technologies.
• A career history showing adaptability across products or problem spaces.