Principal Staff Software Engineer

Tempe, Arizona (On-site)Principal Staff Software Engineer (AI-Native) | Founding Engineer | Build Faster Than Traditional TeamsCornerStone TTS is partnering with a high-growth organization building AI-driven platforms from the ground up. This team is intentionally designed to operate differently from traditional engineering environments, with a focus on speed, ownership, and modern toolingThis is a hands-on, founding-level opportunity for someone who has already changed how they build software because of AI and wants to operate at a higher level of impact.This is not a management-only role. This is for engineers who build and lead from the frontWhat you will doWrite and ship code daily using AI tools as a core part of your workflowDefine how AI is integrated into engineering processes across the full development lifecycleBuild and evolve cloud-native systems in a Microsoft Azure environmentMake fast technical decisions with incomplete information and iterate quicklyHelp bring structure to a fast-growing engineering environment, including technical debt management and process maturityAct as a key bridge between engineering in Tempe and business operations across multiple locationsOperate within a small, high-output team focused on speed and executionWhat we are looking for10+ years of engineering experience with at least 5 years leading or managing software teamsActive, daily use of AI tools such as Cursor, Copilot, Claude, or similarStrong background in enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, and scalable systemsHands-on Microsoft Azure experience in production environmentsExperience in regulated industries such as healthcare, fintech, or governmentFamiliarity with SOC2, HIPAA, or similar compliance frameworksExecutive-level communication skills with the ability to interface with leadership and stakeholdersProven ability to operate in fast-moving, ambiguous environments and drive outcomesPreference for building and creating over maintaining legacy systemsThis is not the right fit ifYou are primarily focused on people management rather than codingYou prefer highly structured environments with defined processesYou are not actively using AI to accelerate developmentYou prefer maintaining existing systems over building and evolving new onesAdditional contextThis role bridges engineering with operational teams across multiple locationsThe environment has scaled quickly and requires someone comfortable bringing clarity and structure without slowing momentumAI adoption is a core pillar, and cultural alignment around modern development practices is criticalAdditional detailsFounding-level impact with significant ownership and influence on technical directionIf you are already building faster because of AI and want to work in an environment that prioritizes speed, ownership, and execution, this is worth a conversation.

Created: 2026-05-08