Principal IT AI Engineer

FormFactor, Inc. is seeking a Principal IT AI Engineer in Lexington, KY (onsite) to design and deliver AI-enabled software, workflow automation, and advanced analytics solutions. The role supports AI, automation, and digital transformation initiatives and guides delivery across the full software development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deploy, and support AI-enabled applications, automation solutions, integrations, and enterprise software using approved technologies and platforms.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams to identify opportunities for AI, automation, and process improvement, and translate requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Independently deliver solutions end to end, including requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, documentation, and production support.
• Develop and maintain applications, APIs, integrations, workflows, and data-driven solutions using modern software engineering practices.
• Build AI-enabled solutions using enterprise AI platforms, large language models, and AI-assisted development tools, including validation of AI-generated code for quality, security, and production readiness.
• Troubleshoot complex application issues and improve reliability, performance, maintainability, and user experience.
• Partner with Architecture, Security, Infrastructure, and Data teams to align solutions to enterprise standards, governance requirements, and responsible AI practices.
• Contribute reusable development patterns, standards, templates, documentation, and engineering best practices.
• Provide technical guidance to less-experienced developers, citizen developers, and business solution owners as appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 5+ years of experience in software engineering, application development, automation, AI enablement, analytics, or related technology disciplines.
• Hands-on experience developing, deploying, and supporting production software applications or enterprise solutions.
• Strong programming experience with one or more modern languages such as Java, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, or C#.
• Experience building and consuming APIs, integrations, and cloud-based services.
• Working knowledge of software engineering practices including source control, testing, code reviews, CI/CD, monitoring, and production support.
• Understanding of secure application development, authentication, authorization, data protection, and application security principles.
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools, generative AI, large language models, or related AI technologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Experience supporting global organizations, manufacturing operations, semiconductor, or other high-tech environments preferred.

Technologies

• Artificial intelligence, workflow automation, enterprise integrations, advanced analytics, AI-enabled applications, and large language models
• AI-assisted development tools, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot Studio, GitHub Copilot, Power Platform, AI agents, and prompt engineering
• Java, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, C#, REST APIs, web application development, and object-oriented programming
• Software design patterns, Microsoft Azure, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Databricks, SQL Server, and cloud-native services
• Data integration, data pipelines, analytics platforms, reporting solutions, GitHub, Git, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, application monitoring, and deployment automation
• Release management, ERP platforms, workflow orchestration, business intelligence, data visualization, process automation, and digital workplace solutions

Education & Experience

Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience (Required).

Skills

• AI Integration
• AI Platforms
• Artificial Intelligence Software
• Artificial Intelligence Techniques
• Business Analytics
• Data Science

Preferred Technical Experience

• AI & Automation: Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot Studio, GitHub Copilot, Power Platform, AI agents, LLMs, prompt engineering, AI-assisted development, and workflow automation.
• Software Development: Java, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, C#, REST APIs, web application development, object-oriented programming, and software design patterns.
• Cloud & Data Platforms: Microsoft Azure, Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Databricks, SQL Server, cloud-native services, data integration, data pipelines, analytics platforms, and reporting solutions.
• DevOps & Engineering Practices: GitHub, Git, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, code reviews, source control, application monitoring, deployment automation, and release management.
• Enterprise Applications & Integration: Enterprise application integrations, ERP platforms, workflow orchestration, API development, business intelligence, data visualization, process automation, and digital workplace solutions.

Pay, Shift, and Location

• Location: Lexington, KY (onsite)
• Shift: Day shift
• Pay Range: $109,300.00 - $143,430.00 per year

This position in Lexington, Kentucky pays between $109,300.00 and $143,430.00 per year depending on experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Paid time off
• Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses
• Flexible spending or savings accounts

Eligibility includes quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.