Principal Engineer – AI & Technology Systems

About the Role Lenskart’s R&D function is building the next generation of technology-led vision care systems, including AI-assisted eye testing, intelligent retail workflows, connected devices, automation systems, and software-led diagnostic experiences. We are looking for a Principal Engineer – AI & Technology Systems to join the R&D function as a senior technical builder and systems leader. This role is meant for someone who has built real products, platforms, tools, or technology solutions and can take ambiguous R&D problems from concept to working prototype, pilot, and scalable implementation. This is not a product management role. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader with strong software engineering depth, AI exposure, system architecture capability, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary execution across software, AI, data, devices, and real-world workflows. Role Objective The person will act as a senior technical owner within the R&D function, helping convert high-potential ideas into robust, testable, and deployable technology systems. The ideal candidate should be able to: - Understand complex real-world problems - Define the technical architecture of solutions - Build and guide software/AI systems - Lead engineers and external partners - Validate prototypes in real operating environments - Convert successful experiments into scalable systems Key Responsibilities AI & Technology Systems Architecture - Define system architecture for AI-native and software-led R&D projects. - Design scalable solutions involving backend systems, frontend interfaces, APIs, databases, AI/ML models, cloud/local deployment, and device integrations. - Evaluate technical trade-offs across performance, reliability, latency, scalability, security, usability, and maintainability. - Build systems that can work reliably in real-world retail, optometry, diagnostic, and consumer environments. - Create architecture documentation, technical specifications, integration flows, and validation plans. Applied AI and Intelligent Workflow Development - Lead the development of AI-assisted workflows involving decision engines, conversational systems, speech-to-text, NLP, computer vision, recommendation systems, and human-in-the-loop intelligence. - Work with AI/ML teams, software engineers, and domain experts to convert AI capabilities into usable products. - Evaluate AI models and systems not only for accuracy, but also for latency, reliability, user experience, failure handling, and deployment feasibility. - Build feedback loops for continuous improvement of AI-enabled systems. - Ensure AI systems are practical, explainable where required, and aligned with real user workflows. R&D Execution and Prototyping - Convert ambiguous R&D goals into clear technical milestones, experiments, prototypes, and implementation plans. - Build proof-of-concepts quickly while maintaining sound engineering judgment. - Identify technical risks early and create mitigation plans. - Lead rapid prototyping, technical validation, pilot deployment, and iteration. - Work closely with the R&D Lead to prioritize ideas based on technical feasibility, business impact, scalability, and speed of execution. - Ensure that successful prototypes are designed with a clear path toward productionization. Software, Data, and Device Integration - Guide development across backend, frontend, data pipelines, AI services, dashboards, control systems, and integration layers. - Support integration with external devices, instruments, sensors, APIs, control interfaces, and third-party software systems. - Create robust communication between software systems and physical-world workflows. - Define data capture, storage, processing, and analytics requirements for R&D systems. - Ensure systems are testable, observable, maintainable, and secure. Technical Leadership - Mentor and guide software engineers, AI/ML engineers, data engineers, and integration teams. - Review technical designs, architecture decisions, code quality, and implementation approaches. - Help build a high-performance engineering culture inside the R&D function. - Bring clarity to complex technical discussions and drive decisions under ambiguity. - Support hiring, evaluation, onboarding, and development of technical talent. - Work with internal teams and external vendors to ensure strong execution quality. Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with R&D, product, business, retail operations, optometry, design, data science, and engineering teams. - Translate business and operational needs into robust technical solutions. - Communicate complex technical topics clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders. - Work closely with leadership to evaluate new technology opportunities and build strategic R&D capabilities. - Support partnerships, vendor evaluations, technology scouting, and external development collaborations where needed.