Principal, Technology Consulting (Applied AI)

EPAM's Applied AI group helps our business units and their clients turn AI opportunities into solutions that are technically credible and ready to deliver. As a Principal, Technology Consulting , you will be the senior technical voice in the room and a leader of integrated solution shaping. You will work with Growth Leads and client partners to discover and qualify complex opportunities, connect business needs with technical capabilities, and bring together specialists from across EPAM practices to shape cohesive, end-to-end solutions. You will advise business and technology leaders and show how agentic AI and GenAI can transform business processes, including through quick, clickable prototypes.

You will partner with Applied AI colleagues, Forward Deployed AI Architects, product management, Engineering and delivery teams to make technical trade-offs, risks and costs explicit before a client commits. This role focuses on technical strategy, pre-sales and integrated solution shaping, and complements our Forward Deployed AI Architects, who concentrate on client-embedded architecture and technical implementation. Principals may stay involved selectively during early delivery to ensure a smooth transition, but long-term implementation is not the primary focus, and the role does not carry account ownership. You will work across a portfolio of clients at once, from short pre-sales pursuits to consulting engagements lasting a couple of months.

Req#1116587264

Responsibilities

• Lead technical qualification and AI pre-sales for complex opportunities, partnering with Growth Leads and client partners to define business outcomes, connect them to technical capabilities and shape technically credible solution propositions

• Lead integrated solution shaping across multiple EPAM practices, coordinating specialist teams to deliver cohesive, delivery-ready solutions and guiding complex technical pursuits from first conversation through commitment

• Engage and advise senior client stakeholders, including business and technology executives, building trust through clear solution narratives and credible technical judgment

• Advise on agentic AI, RAG, automation, model and platform choices, and build-versus-buy options, making trade-offs explicit through vendor evaluation and selection across a vendor-neutral landscape (OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS, Microsoft, Google)

• Turn ideas into evidence quickly by building or directing clickable prototypes with clients to demonstrate value

• Lead AI readiness assessments across business processes, data, platforms, integration and security, using maturity models where they help

• Define enterprise AI foundation requirements for identity, models, agents, knowledge, AI governance, evaluation and AI observability as solutions scale

• Contribute architecture options and pre-sales proposal content, working with Growth Leads and Applied AI Leads to turn shaped solutions into compelling client propositions

• Review design and proof evidence from architects and engineers, and issue documented technical readiness recommendations

• Collaborate and negotiate across EPAM practices (Data, Intelligent Automation, hyperscaler and AI partner teams) to build win-win propositions for clients

• Align scope, risks and estimates with the delivery organization before commitment, ensure solutions are delivery-ready, and support a clear, accepted technical handoff, with selective involvement in early delivery as needed

• Create reusable technical playbooks and solution packs, coach client-facing teams and senior consultants, and measure technical conversion

Requirements

• Software engineering or solution architecture foundation with real hands-on experience, so you can speak credibly with architects and engineers and, where needed, build as well as advise

• Proven track record in client-facing technology consulting or AI pre-sales: partnering with clients to define outcomes, qualify complex opportunities and shape AI solutions that span multiple technical domains

• Hands-on experience building with GenAI and agentic AI, including LLM selection, capabilities and limitations, enterprise adoption, and evaluation of quality and safety

• Working knowledge of common GenAI solution patterns such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and agentic workflows, including orchestration, autonomy boundaries and human-in-the-loop design. Deep production experience with any specific pattern or framework is not required

• Depth in one or two primary technology stacks (for example, Anthropic, OpenAI, AWS or Azure), with the breadth of a strong technical generalist and a technology-agnostic approach

• Ability to quickly turn around a clickable prototype with a client. Production-grade delivery is not expected

• Strong written and verbal communication in ambiguous client settings: solution narratives, technical proposals, architecture recommendations and executive presentations

• Experience leading complex technical pursuits, coordinating specialist teams, mentoring senior consultants and engaging senior client stakeholders

• Collaboration and negotiation skills to partner effectively across practices and with technology partners

Nice to have

• Deeper expertise in a specific industry domain. Generalists are welcome

• Exposure to AI governance, responsible AI, compliance assurance, risk management, privacy and model oversight

• Experience conducting AI maturity assessments and applying enterprise maturity models

• Experience leading vendor evaluation and technology selection, including platform assessments and proof-of-concept reviews

• Familiarity with enterprise architecture topics such as Identity and Access Management, security, APIs, event-driven architectures and integration patterns

• Knowledge of AI observability, AI data governance (quality, lineage, stewardship) and AI platform lifecycle management

• Understanding of agentic operating model transformation: the organizational, process and governance changes needed to scale AI-enabled ways of working

• Experience with solution estimation, cost modeling and Cloud FinOps principles

We 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 Plan

• Paid 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 Insurance

• Employee Discounts

• Pet Insurance

• Employee 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

This Remote Position Cannot be Performed in New York City.

In accordance with the LA County Fair Chance Ordinance, you may find a copy of the Notice containing a summary of the Ordinance’s key provisions here: Concept FCO Posting 8 27 24 (lacounty.gov)

EPAM Systems, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize the value of diversity and inclusion in creating success for our customers, business partners, shareholders, employees and communities. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing and promoting employees without discrimination. As a global employer, this commitment includes complying with all laws in the countries in which we operate. Nevertheless, we believe equal employment practices should not be limited to what the law requires. Equal opportunity and inclusion are essential to motivate, empower and recognize the best in everyone.

At EPAM, employment actions are based on individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or familial status, national origin, ancestry, genetics, age, disability status, veteran status, citizenship status when otherwise legally able to work, or any other characteristic protected by law.