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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.