Principal Software Engineer - AI Integration & Deployment

CompassX is a boutique business and technology consulting firm. We help Fortune 500 and high-growth clients deliver their most strategic initiatives, from enterprise transformations to digital and data-driven projects. With over 15 years of proven results, we've expanded across industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, consumer products, and quick service restaurants. We are honored to be recognized as a three-time winner of Consulting Magazine's Best Boutique Firms to Work For, and previously recognized as a "Best Place to Work" in Southern California and one of INC.'s 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to serve as the technical linchpin for a high-stakes, AI-accelerated enterprise build. This is not a traditional middleware or "mapping" role. We need a hands-on builder - a "Full-Stack Orchestrator" - who can take functional code generated by an AI engine (Emergent) and lead the "critical final mile" of deployment. You will be responsible for proving out and executing a modern Release Strategy (Docker/Kubernetes) within a complex, restricted enterprise environment, ensuring that high-velocity innovation successfully bridges into the client's core infrastructure. High preference will be given to candidates who are based in Georgia to occasionally co-locate with our team members there, with some travel to the client site. For employees: we are currently only set up to employ individuals who reside and work from the following states: California, Washington, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Georgia. For independent contractors: we have a strong preference for East Coast candidates who can work on a 1099 or C2C basis and are able to travel to client sites up to 50%.

What You'll Do

• Orchestrate the Final Mile: Lead the integration of modern, AI-generated applications (built in Python/FastAPI and React) with backend enterprise layers, specifically interacting with Databricks and legacy data environments.
• Architect & Prove the Release: Design, document, and execute a robust CI/CD and release strategy. You will be the one "making it live," setting up Docker containers and Kubernetes clusters that comply with rigid enterprise security standards.
• Navigate Technical Friction: Act as a high-EQ consultant to bridge the gap between our high-velocity delivery model and the client's internal teams. You will negotiate infrastructure access and "sell" modern engineering practices to traditional stakeholders.
• Player-Coach Leadership: Work directly with a small CompassX team to refine code output and mentor client-side engineering teams on maintaining the new, automated deployment pipelines.
• System Reliability: Ensure that integrated solutions are not just functional but production-ready, focusing on scalability, security, and the seamless flow of data between the app layer and the data lake.

What You'll Bring

• Principal-Level Engineering: 10+ years of experience in software engineering with a "builder first" mindset. You must be highly proficient in Python (FastAPI) and React.
• Deployment Mastery: Deep, hands-on expertise in Containerization (Docker) and Orchestration (Kubernetes). You should have a proven track record of taking a codebase from a local environment to a live, secured enterprise production state.
• Data Fluency: Experience working with modern data platforms; familiarity with Databricks or similar large-scale data lake architectures is a significant advantage.
• Consulting & Political Acumen: Experience in a boutique or consulting environment is preferred. You must have the "soft skills" to navigate a fast-paced, challenging environment and build consensus among stakeholders
• AI-Ready Mindset: A passion for AI-driven development. You are excited by the prospect of using AI tools to accelerate the "boring" parts of coding so you can focus on high-value architectural orchestration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus
• PTO, holidays, and sabbatical program
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plan with company match from day one
• Learning and professional development support
• Small-firm culture with direct access to leadership

$90 - $130 a day This is an independent contractor position and able to work on a C2C or 1099 basis. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. Our consultants say CompassX is a place where they can truly find their own path. As part of a smaller firm, they see the impact of their work, have an identity, and know their voice matters. They value the freedom to take the reins of their careers, shape their client work, and maintain a direct line to leadership. With CompassX's focus on serving local Southern California clients, consultants not only build lasting relationships but also see the results of their work in the communities where they live. At CompassX, you won't just follow a path - you'll create one. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job