Lead Python AI Engineer
epam systemsNew York (NY)
About the role
Location: New York; USAWork type: Remote
Seniority: Lead Primary skill: Python. AI
Posted:
2026-10-16We are looking for a Lead Python AI Engineer to build robust, AI-powered API services and agentic workflows. In this role, you will bridge the gap between traditional backend systems and modern language models, focusing on secure and scalable LLM interactions with internal systems, vector databases, and external tools via orchestration frameworks. We treat LLMs not as magic, but as components in a secure, scalable distributed system. If you take pride in API reliability, graceful failure handling, and production-grade AI integration, we’d love to talk to you. Req# 1109260679
Responsibilities:
- End-to-End Ownership: Own API contracts and service reliability end-to-end. AI edge cases must fail gracefully without compromising system integrity
- Rigorous Systems Engineering: Integrate LLMs with a strong engineering foundation—baking in evaluation, comprehensive observability, robust fallback handling, and cost awareness
- Reusable Frameworks: Build reliable, reusable orchestration frameworks and logic designed for downstream developer consumption
- Design and build scalable backend API services and advanced LLM orchestration layers
- Implement and maintain complex RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipelines, covering document ingestion, chunking, embedding, and retrieval optimization
- Develop and connect agent tools using LangChain, LangGraph, and potentially MCP (Model Context Protocol)
- Ensure top-tier security, privacy, enterprise-grade observability, and comprehensive test coverage across all backend workflows
- Contribute actively to architecture decisions and engineering standards within your pod
- Collaborate cross-functionally with frontend engineers, data engineers, and infrastructure teams
RequirementsBackend Experience: 7+ years of backend engineering with a heavy focus on microservices and distributed systems, using Python for high-performance backend services and cloud-native APIsCloud & Infrastructure: Hands-on experience with AWS, Docker, ECS/EKS, and RESTful APIsSecurity First: Proven experience with secure coding practices and strong authentication/authorization (auth/authz) fundamentals
Agentic Frameworks: Practical, hands-on experience with frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, or LangGraphAI SDK Integration: 1–2+ years of hands-on experience integrating AI SDKs (OpenAI, Anthropic/Claude, AWS Bedrock, or equivalent) in production environmentsAI Observability & Evaluation: Familiarity with AI evaluation tooling or real-time APM platforms (e.g., LangSmith, Langfuse, Arize)RAG Pipelines: Practical experience working with vector databases (e.g., Amazon Kendra, OpenSearch), advanced embedding strategies, and retrieval systems
Nice to have:
- Frontend Fluency: 1–2+ years of experience with React and TypeScriptScale & Deployment: Experience deploying applications to EKS environments at scale
- Interoperability & Security: Knowledge of agent interoperability patterns (MCP) and identity/security domain models (IAM, CIAM)
- Secondary Languages: Professional proficiency in Java, Node.js, or GoWe offer
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (Subsidized)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (Company Provided)
- Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Unlimited access to LinkedIn learning solutions
- Matched 401(k) Retirement Savings PlanPaid Time Off – the employee will be eligible to accrue 15-25 paid days, depending on specific level and tenure with EPAM (accrual eligibility may change over time)
- Paid Holidays - nine (9) total per year
- Legal Plan and Identity Theft Protection
- Accident InsuranceEmployee Discounts
- Pet InsuranceEmployee Stock Purchase Program
- If otherwise eligible, participation in the discretionary annual bonus program
- If otherwise eligible and hired into a qualifying level, participation in the discretionary Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Program
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