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Sr Principal Architect (SaaS & GenAI)

AT UKG
UKG

Sr Principal Architect (SaaS & GenAI)

Lowell, MA

Company Overview

With 80,000 customers across 150 countries, UKG is the largest U.S.-based private software company in the world. And we're only getting started. Ready to bring your bold ideas and collaborative mindset to an organization that still has so much more to build and achieve? Read on.

At UKG, you get more than just a job. You get to work with purpose. Our team of U Krewers are on a mission to inspire every organization to become a great place to work through our award-winning HR technology built for all.

Here, we know that you're more than your work. That's why our benefits help you thrive personally and professionally, from wellness programs and tuition reimbursement to U Choose - a customizable expense reimbursement program that can be used for more than 200+ needs that best suit you and your family, from student loan repayment, to childcare, to pet insurance. Our inclusive culture, active and engaged employee resource groups, and caring leaders value every voice and support you in doing the best work of your career. If you're passionate about our purpose - people -then we can't wait to support whatever gives you purpose. We're united by purpose, inspired by you.

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About the Role:

Are you a seasoned software architect with a passion for building high-scale systems and a growing interest in AI and Generative AI? This is your opportunity to step into a strategic, high-impact role where you can apply your architectural expertise while evolving into a leader in the rapidly advancing AI space.
As a Principal Architect with a focus on AI/GenAI, you'll work at the intersection of enterprise software and emerging AI capabilities, helping shape the future of our HCM (Human Capital Management) and WFM (Workforce Management) products. You'll play a critical role in designing modern, scalable platforms and services, while gaining hands-on experience in AI/GenAI system design, development, and deployment.
This role is ideal for a software architect who has mastered cloud-native, distributed systems and wants to grow into the world of AI-from foundational design principles to real-world product integration. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams including data scientists, AI engineers, and product leaders to translate complex business challenges into forward-looking technology solutions.

What You'll Do:
Architect Modern, Scalable Systems
• Design and evolve the architecture of AI-powered features in our HCM/WFM SaaS platform.
• Lead the transition of traditional systems to cloud-native, serverless, and AI-enhanced solutions.
• Ensure systems are designed for performance, security, scalability, and maintainability.
Grow into an AI/GenAI Leader
• Partner with AI/ML engineers and researchers to learn and apply AI design patterns and development practices.
• Contribute to the integration of AI services such as language models, document understanding, and automation agents.
• Explore Generative AI techniques and help bring them into real-world product use cases.
Drive Technical Strategy
• Define the architecture roadmap for intelligent services aligned with product and business goals.
• Collaborate across engineering, product, and data teams to ensure cohesive and innovative solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, and cloud technologies that support AI development.
Mentor and Lead
• Guide engineering teams through the design and implementation of complex systems.
• Lead by example in code and design reviews, documentation, and technical leadership.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning.

What We're Looking For:
Must-Have Qualifications
• Architecture Expertise: 5+ years of experience architecting, designing and scaling cloud-based enterprise systems, and 10+ years of total software engineering experience.
• Tech Stack Mastery: Strong background in software architecture using Python, Java, or similar; experience with microservices, serverless computing, and modern DevOps.
• Cloud Proficiency: Deep experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure and cloud-native patterns.
• Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and influence across teams.
• Passion for AI and Generative Technologies: A strong enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a dedicated focus on generative AI. Committed to expanding hands-on expertise in designing, developing, and optimizing AI-driven solutions.
• Expertise in Prompt Engineering: Skilled in crafting, refining, and optimizing prompts to enhance AI model performance, ensuring accurate, context-aware, and efficient generative outputs.
• Model Development and Fine-Tuning: Basic understanding of training, fine-tuning of large language models.
• Ethical AI and Responsible Deployment: Knowledgeable in AI governance, bias mitigation, and responsible AI principles to ensure ethical and compliant use of generative AI technologies.

Bonus if You Have (or Want to Learn):
• Experience working alongside data scientists or ML engineers.
• Exposure to AI/ML platforms or frameworks (e.g., LangChain, Google Agent Builder, Google ADK, CopilotKit, Google AgentSpace).
• Knowledge of LLMs, embeddings, or multi-modal architectures.
• Familiarity with MLOps, CI/CD, observability, and secure model deployment.
• Hands-on work with GCP services like Vertex AI, BigQuery, or Dataflow.

Why This Role is Different:
• Grow into AI/GenAI: You don't need to be an AI expert on day one-we'll support your growth in this field.
• Real-World Impact: Build intelligent capabilities into products that help companies manage their global workforce.
• Tech Leadership with Purpose: Drive architecture decisions that influence how AI scales in mission-critical applications.
• Supportive Team Culture: Work alongside collaborative, curious, and experienced engineers and leaders.
______

Ready to architect the future-and grow into AI while doing it?
We're looking for forward-thinking architects who are excited to take the next step into AI/GenAI. If this sounds like you, let's talk.

Where we're going

UKG is on the cusp of something truly special. Worldwide, we already hold the #1 market share position for workforce management and the #2 position for human capital management. Tens of millions of frontline workers start and end their days with our software, with billions of shifts managed annually through UKG solutions today. Yet it's our AI-powered product portfolio designed to support customers of all sizes, industries, and geographies that will propel us into an even brighter tomorrow!

Equal Opportunity Employer

UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

View The EEO Know Your Rights poster

UKG participates in E-Verify. View the E-Verify posters here.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process

For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email UKGCareers@ukg.com.

The pay range for this position is $179,800 to $258,500 however, base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a short-term incentive and a long-term incentive as part of total compensation. Information about UKG's comprehensive benefits can be reviewed on our careers site at https://www.ukg.com/careers

Client-provided location(s): Lowell, MA, USA
Job ID: ukg-893382817888
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Health Reimbursement Account
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • FSA
    • FSA With Employer Contribution
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • Fitness Subsidies
    • On-Site Gym
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Casual Dress
    • Happy Hours
    • Company Outings
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Unlimited Paid Time Off
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Volunteer Time Off
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Company Equity
    • Performance Bonus
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Internship Program