Principal AI Engineer

Company: Right Seat
Location: San Jose
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Role Summary We seek a Principal AI Engineer - Applied AI & Cybersecurity to lead the design and development of scalable, high-performance AI systems for cybersecurity. This role is a hands-on, high-impact role ideal for a builder with deep applied AI expertise and a product-first mindset. You will architect the AI layer powering autonomous detection, RAG-backed investigation, and auto-remediation workflows, while establishing an AI Center of Excellence. This role is central to the client's AI-native strategy and will drive 10x efficiency gains across the organization. You will operate within a flat engineering structure, directing technical efforts across the product lifecycle without managing a cost center or budget. While full-stack engineering experience is valued, this role prioritizes deep expertise in applied AI and machine learning—even if front-end or CI/CD experience is limited. About RightSeat.AI At RightSeat.AI, we are dedicated to transforming the future with advanced artificial intelligence. We assist companies in streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving innovation. At RightSeat.AI, we promote a dynamic and inclusive work environment where every voice is valued. Whether you're starting your career or seeking new challenges, you'll have opportunities to grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact. Join us and be part of a company at the forefront of AI technology, making a real business impact. About our client Our client is an AI-native, automation-first Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider. Their mission is to empower defenders through advanced threat detection, rapid response, and continuous protection. Backed by leading investors, they are rapidly scaling and committed to redefining the cybersecurity landscape with cutting-edge AI solutions. Join a team of industry experts driving innovation in cybersecurity, automation, and AI. At our client, you'll work on high-impact problems, collaborate with top talent, and shape the future of autonomous threat detection. Key Responsibilities Architect and build AI systems for autonomous detection, investigation, and remediation Develop and productionize LLMs, graph-based reasoning engines, and streaming feature pipelines Own evaluation and reliability processes including prompt libraries, finetuning, red-team testing, and latency optimization Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and uphold code quality and security-first principles Collaborate cross-functionally to translate attacker behavior into effective detections Drive AI strategy and execution across the company, enabling team-wide productivity and efficiency Improve organizational efficiency metrics such as SOC throughput (e.g., from 4x to 6x over six months) Enable others to be productive by elevating the engineering team's capabilities and impact Solve problems efficiently and communicate clearly across technical and non-technical stakeholders Contribute directly to product development with a strong willingness to write significant amounts of code Help close strategic gaps in the organization's AI capabilities and establish scalable best practices Required Qualifications Startup experience, early- stage/hypergrowth/scale -up background Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience 10 years of experience in software development using Python, Go, Rust, or Java Deep expertise in applied AI, including LLM architecture, prompt engineering, vector database workflows, and agentic frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, Agno AGI, or custom orchestration) Proven leadership in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), NLP systems, fine-tuning pipelines, and prompt engineering workflows to drive 10x organizational efficiency Strong experience with microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and event-driven systems Advanced API design skills (REST/gRPC) and distributed systems fundamentals Demonstrated ability to build and maintain CI/CD pipelines for AI/ML workflows across GCP, AWS, and Azure using tools like Google Cloud Build, AWS Code Pipeline, and Azure DevOps Skilled in automating model training, evaluation, and deployment processes, integrating Git-based version control, artifact management, and secure delivery practices Experience managing secrets, environment configurations, and compliance controls for AI systems in regulated or security-sensitive environments Excellent communication and collaborative problem-solving skills Preferred Attributes Prior experience in cybersecurity (SIEM, EDR, SOAR, MDR) Familiarity with graph databases or security-focused knowledge graphs Experience with cloud infrastructure security (AWS, GCP, Azure) Background in leading teams within high-growth startups or enterprise SaaS Ability to drive organizational efficiency and elevate team productivity Strong product-first mindset and ability to work across the product lifecycle Preferred Certifications AWS/GCP Professional Engineer Kubernetes Certification Security-related credentials (e.g., CISSP, CEH) Why Work at our Client Elite Founding Team & Proven Leadership: Our Client was founded by cybersecurity veterans with a track record of building industry-leading companies and partnerships. You'll be working alongside experts who've shaped the future of digital security. AI-Native, Automation-First Approach: Our Client is built for the AI era, leveraging cutting-edge automation and intelligence to deliver faster, smarter, and more scalable cybersecurity solutions—setting a new standard in the industry. Backed by Top-Tier Investors & Advisors: With support from renowned investors and guidance from leaders at Microsoft, NSA, and Google, Our Client offers a rare opportunity to be part of a high-growth, high-impact organization. Mission-Driven Culture with Real Impact: Our Client is committed to delivering 10x better security outcomes, faster, and more cost-effectively. Every role contributes directly to protecting organizations at scale and driving meaningful change. Benefits In addition to offering a competitive compensation package, our benefits include health, vision, dental care, and more. For more details, please reach out to your RightSeat Talent Discovery Specialist Advisor. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement RightSeat.AI is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, religion, gender, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics.

Keywords: Right Seat, Sunnyvale , Principal AI Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , San Jose, California