Principal Software Engineer

Do you thrive on solving complex technical challenges in AI infrastructure?

Are you ready to architect the future of AI at the edge?

Join the Akamai Inference Cloud Team

The Akamai Inference Cloud team is part of Akamai's Cloud Technology Group. We build AI platforms for efficient, compliant, and high-performing applications. These platforms support customers in running inference models and empower developers to create advanced AI solutions effectively. #AIC

Partner with the best

The Principal Software Engineer will lead and design a globally distributed AI inference platform with OpenAI-compatible endpoints. Responsibilities include making technical decisions, setting architectural patterns, and managing large-scale inference workloads. This position requires broad experience, extensive knowledge of AI/ML systems, and a history of successfully delivering production AI platforms.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Architecting and designing the core infrastructure of Akamai Inference Cloud, ensuring it is performant, compliant, economical, and explainable.
• Providing thought leadership on AI inference optimization, model serving architectures, and establishing technical standards for the platform.
• Making critical technical decisions on frameworks, tools, and approaches for AI workload deployment and global traffic orchestration.
• Mentoring engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements and elevate team capabilities.
• Contributing hands-on to critical path development, code reviews, and architectural implementations.

Do what you love

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have broad software engineering experience with deep expertise in AI inference optimization, model serving, and LLM deployment at scale.
• Demonstrate mastery of inference frameworks (TensorRT, vLLM, TorchServe, Triton), containerization strategies, and hardware-specific optimizations for AI workloads.
• Show expert-level proficiency with cloud-native technologies, Kubernetes, distributed systems, and architecting services at global scale with strict SLOs.
• Possess strong opinions and proven experience building platforms for AI developers (RAG, agents, fine-tuning workflows).
• Demonstrate excellent technical leadership with ability to mentor engineers, influence architectural decisions, and communicate effectively across teams.
• Have deep knowledge of AI safety, responsible AI practices, and explainability frameworks.

Work in a way that works for you

FlexBase, Akamai's Global Flexible Working Program, is based on the principles that are helping us create the best workplace in the world. When our colleagues said that flexible working was important to them, we listened. We also know flexible working is important to many of the incredible people considering joining Akamai. FlexBase, gives 95% of employees the choice to work from their home, their office, or both (in the country advertised). This permanent workplace flexibility program is consistent and fair globally, to help us find incredible talent, virtually anywhere. We are happy to discuss working options for this role and encourage you to speak with your recruiter in more detail when you apply. 

Learn what makes Akamai a great place to work

We power and protect life online, by solving the toughest challenges, together.

At Akamai, we're curious, innovative, collaborative and tenacious. We celebrate diversity of thought and we hold an unwavering belief that we can make a meaningful difference. Our teams use their global perspectives to put customers at the forefront of everything they do, so if you are people-centric, you'll thrive here.

Working for you

At Akamai, we will provide you with opportunities to grow, flourish, and achieve great things. Our benefit options are designed to meet your individual needs for today and in the future. We provide benefits surrounding all aspects of your life:

• Your health
• Your finances
• Your family
• Your time at work
• Your time pursuing other endeavours

Our benefit plan options are designed to meet your individual needs and budget, both today and in the future.

About us

Akamai powers and protects life online. Leading companies worldwide choose Akamai to build, deliver, and secure their digital experiences helping billions of people live, work, and play every day. With the world's most distributed compute platform from cloud to edge we make it easy for customers to develop and run applications, while we keep experiences closer to users and threats farther away.

Join us

Are you seeking an opportunity to make a real difference in a company with a global reach and exciting services and clients? Come join us and grow with a team of people who will energize and inspire you

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