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:

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Understand complex real-world problems

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Define the technical architecture of solutions

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Build and guide software/AI systems

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Lead engineers and external partners

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Validate prototypes in real operating environments

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Convert successful experiments into scalable systems

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Key Responsibilities

AI & Technology Systems Architecture

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Define system architecture for AI-native and software-led R&D projects.

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Design scalable solutions involving backend systems, frontend interfaces, APIs, databases, AI/ML models, cloud/local deployment, and device integrations.

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Evaluate technical trade-offs across performance, reliability, latency, scalability, security, usability, and maintainability.

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Build systems that can work reliably in real-world retail, optometry, diagnostic, and consumer environments.

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Create architecture documentation, technical specifications, integration flows, and validation plans.

Applied AI and Intelligent Workflow Development

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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.

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Work with AI/ML teams, software engineers, and domain experts to convert AI capabilities into usable products.

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Evaluate AI models and systems not only for accuracy, but also for latency, reliability, user experience, failure handling, and deployment feasibility.

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Build feedback loops for continuous improvement of AI-enabled systems.

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Ensure AI systems are practical, explainable where required, and aligned with real user workflows.

R&D Execution and Prototyping

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Convert ambiguous R&D goals into clear technical milestones, experiments, prototypes, and implementation plans.

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Build proof-of-concepts quickly while maintaining sound engineering judgment.

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Identify technical risks early and create mitigation plans.

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Lead rapid prototyping, technical validation, pilot deployment, and iteration.

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Work closely with the R&D Lead to prioritize ideas based on technical feasibility, business impact, scalability, and speed of execution.

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Ensure that successful prototypes are designed with a clear path toward productionization.

Software, Data, and Device Integration

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Guide development across backend, frontend, data pipelines, AI services, dashboards, control systems, and integration layers.

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Support integration with external devices, instruments, sensors, APIs, control interfaces, and third-party software systems.

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Create robust communication between software systems and physical-world workflows.

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Define data capture, storage, processing, and analytics requirements for R&D systems.

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Ensure systems are testable, observable, maintainable, and secure.

Technical Leadership

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Mentor and guide software engineers, AI/ML engineers, data engineers, and integration teams.

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Review technical designs, architecture decisions, code quality, and implementation approaches.

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Help build a high-performance engineering culture inside the R&D function.

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Bring clarity to complex technical discussions and drive decisions under ambiguity.

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Support hiring, evaluation, onboarding, and development of technical talent.

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Work with internal teams and external vendors to ensure strong execution quality.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

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Collaborate with R&D, product, business, retail operations, optometry, design, data science, and engineering teams.

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Translate business and operational needs into robust technical solutions.

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Communicate complex technical topics clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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Work closely with leadership to evaluate new technology opportunities and build strategic R&D capabilities.

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Support partnerships, vendor evaluations, technology scouting, and external development collaborations where needed.