Principal Software Engineer - AI Integration & Deployment
Company: CompassX Group
Location: Columbus
Posted on: April 6, 2026
|
|
|
Job Description:
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 $150,000 - $180,000 a year We are open to
candidates as employees or as independent contractors (1099/C2C).
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.
Keywords: CompassX Group, Fairfield , Principal Software Engineer - AI Integration & Deployment, IT / Software / Systems , Columbus, Ohio
