IT Principal - AI SDLC

Location: St. Louis

As the Principal Technologist, AI Delivery & Enablement, you will serve as a strategic technical leader and transformation catalyst, responsible for architecting, governing, and operationalizing the enterprise AI Software Development Lifecycle (AI SDLC). In this role, you will shape how the organization designs, builds, and deploys software in an AI‑driven future.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, evolution, and execution of the organization’s AI SDLC roadmap.

• Partner with cross‑functional teams—including engineering, infrastructure, Dev Ops, security, legal, and product—to seamlessly integrate AI into agile development practices.

• Assess, recommend, and implement tools, frameworks, and process optimizations to support scalable AI delivery.

• Define, track, and optimize performance and utilization metrics to measure value and efficiency.

• Evangelize AI capabilities across the technology organization and promote enterprise-wide awareness and adoption.

• Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to key technical and business stakeholders.

• Mentor, coach, and support junior team members to build organizational capability.

• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, agility, and continuous learning.

• Serve as a thought leader for AI engineering and delivery best practices.

• Collaborate closely with other teams within the AI Center of Excellence to ensure alignment and cohesive execution across the AI lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience.

• Deep passion for GenAI and its application within the SDLC.

• Robust technical expertise across Dev Ops, CI/CD, and automated software delivery.

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale technology solution delivery in complex enterprise environments.

• Proven leadership in building and scaling distributed systems.

• Experience with policy-driven governance, compliance, auditability, and risk mitigation.

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strategic, action-oriented mindset with a commitment to innovation and enablement.

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to balance strategic vision and tactical execution.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10

Mbps download/5

Mbps upload. For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 149, USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.

At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays.

For more details on our employee benefits programs, .

About The Cigna Group

Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we’re dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you…