**About the Role** We are looking for a **highly skilled and strategic Principal Platform Engineer** to play a critical role in shaping our next-generation **AI-powered content authoring and delivery platform** . This content platform empowers authors, teachers, and professors to create dynamic learning experiences for students through **cutting-edge AI, interactive assessments, asset management, APIs, and scalable content delivery solutions** . Reporting directly to the **Director of Engineering** , you will serve as a **technical leader** who deeply understands complex systems, ensures teams remain aligned with our mission, and drives the integration of AI across all aspects of our platform. You will spend **50% of your time coding (primarily front-end but full stack) and 50% leading technical direction** , providing guidance, documentation, and solutions to ensure our platform is scalable, reliable, and innovative. This is a **hybrid role based out of our Durham, NC office** , requiring in-person collaboration when needed. **What You’ll Do** ✅ **Lead & Direct** – Provide **technical leadership** across the platform, ensuring engineering efforts align with AI integration, scalability, and our broader company initiatives. ✅ **Architect & Build** – Design and implement **AI-driven solutions** while maintaining **a strong hands-on coding presence (React, TypeScript, APIs, backend services)** . ✅ **Drive AI Integration** – Work with **AI models, automation tools, and ML-driven content generation** to enhance the authoring experience and optimize platform capabilities. ✅ **Cross-Team Collaboration** – Engage with **20+ teams** , ensuring alignment, surfacing risks, and advocating for **efficient and scalable technical solutions** . ✅ **Problem-Solve & Align** – Negotiate, advocate, and **push back when necessary** to keep teams focused and solutions aligned with **business priorities** . ✅ **Guide & Influence** – Lead technical discussions, ensuring teams understand the **“why”** behind AI-driven decisions while balancing trade-offs across usability, performance, and maintainability. ✅ **Communicate Clearly** – Translate complex AI and engineering concepts into **clear, actionable strategies** for diverse stakeholders. ✅ **Document & Diagram** – Create **high-quality technical documentation** and **system diagrams** that drive clarity and execution. **What Makes a Great Candidate?** 🔹 **AI-Driven Thinker** – You have hands-on experience with **AI-powered applications, LLMs, and ML-driven content workflows** and can **recommend, implement, and optimize AI solutions** within an enterprise platform. 🔹 **Full-Stack Expertise** – You have **strong front-end skills (React, TypeScript, CSS3, HTML5)** but can comfortably work **across the stack** (backend, APIs, databases). 🔹 **Systems Thinker** – You **understand complex ecosystems** , anticipate challenges, and proactively find solutions before they become problems. 🔹 **Excellent Negotiator** – You can **influence without authority** , balancing competing priorities across multiple teams while maintaining a **collaborative, fair approach** . 🔹 **Strong Communicator** – You can distill complex technical and AI concepts into **clear, actionable guidance** for both engineers and business leaders. 🔹 **Proactive & Independent** – You take initiative, seek out information, and aren’t afraid to **ask tough questions** to ensure teams are making the right choices. 🔹 **Execution-Oriented** – You balance **high-level technical vision** with **hands-on coding** , ensuring progress isn’t just theoretical but results in **real, working solutions** . **Who we are:** At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson. Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities. If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com. Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process. **Job:** TECHNOLOGY **Organization:** Corporate Strategy & Technology **Schedule:** FULL\_TIME **Workplace Type:** **Req ID:** 18565