AI Principal Architect

NTT DATA UK Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

NTT DATA UK Ltd. seeks a Principal AI Architect to lead enterprise-grade AI architectures from discovery to win, translating business problems into scalable AI designs across data, models, integration, security, and governance.

You’ll partner with AI Consulting, Solution Architects, Delivery, Sales, and ecosystem partners to shape credible, commercially viable solutions. You will mentor AI Solution Architects, guide proof-of-concept design, and drive capability-building across the global AI

Qualifications

• 12+ years in enterprise architecture roles.
• 5+ years designing or delivering AI/data solutions.
• 2+ years GenAI/LLM/AI agents experience.
• Deep AI architecture knowledge: data readiness, model choice, security, governance.
• Experience leading architecture for large client pursuits.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Master’s degree in CS/engineering/data science preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture for complex AI pursuits from discovery through win.
• Translate business problems into enterprise-grade AI designs and operating models.
• Mentor AI Solution Architects and support capability-building.
• Shape differentiating solution narratives and governance considerations.
• Collaborate with AI Consulting, Solution Architects, Delivery, and Sales teams.

Skills

12+ years exp arch

5+ years AI/data solutions

2+ years GenAI/LLMs

Security/governance/ops

Executive influence

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's or equivalent

Master's preferred (CS/Engineering/Data Science)

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

OpenAI

Anthropic

Mistral

Google Gemini

Databricks

Snowflake

Kubernetes

Vector databases

MLOps/LLMOps tooling

Job description

The team you'll be working with:

The Principal AI Architect is a senior technical advisor responsible for leading architecture on complex, strategic, and high-value AI pursuits. This role translates business problems into enterprise-grade AI solution designs across models, agents, data, integration, security, governance, cloud, and operations. The Principal AI Architect partners with AI Consulting, Solution Architects, FDE, Delivery, Sales, and ecosystem partners to shape differentiated solutions that are technically credible, commercially viable, and ready to scale.

What you'll be doing:

Lead architecture for complex, strategic, or high-value AI pursuits from discovery through proposal, negotiation, and win. Act as a senior technical advisor to client executives, CTO/CIO stakeholders, and internal pursuit teams. Translate business problems into enterprise-grade AI solution designs, including AI, data, model, agent, integration, security, governance, and operating model considerations. Shape, mitigation guidance.

What experience you'll bring:

Basic Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, technology consulting, systems integration, software engineering, data architecture, or related roles.
• 5+ years of experience designing or delivering AI, data science, machine learning, advanced analytics, or intelligent automation solutions.
• 2+ years of hands-on or architecture experience with GenAI, LLMs, RAG, AI agents, orchestration frameworks, or enterprise AI platforms.
• Deep understanding of AI architecture considerations, including data readiness, model selection, security, responsible AI, governance, integration, scalability, observability, and operations.
• Experience leading architecture for complex client pursuits, large transformation programs, or multi-tower technology solutions.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Preferred Skills: Master's degree in computer science, engineering, data science, AI, or a related field.
• Cloud
• enterprise architecture, AI/ML, cybersecurity, or data platform certifications, Experience with platforms such as Azure, AWS, GCP, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Google/Gemini, Databricks, Snowflake, Kubernetes, vector databases, and MLOps/LLMOps tooling.
• Strong executive presence, technical storytelling, mentorship, stakeholder influence, and ability to simplify complex concepts for business and technical audiences.
• Ability to travel as required for client and internal engagements.

Who we are:

At NTT DATA, you have endless opportunities to think big, act bold and take ownership. As a $30+ billion business and technology services, AI and digital infrastructure leader, we co-innovate solutions with clients and partners globally for business and societal impact. Serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100, with experts in over 70 countries, we encourage experimentation and recognize great work. Proudly a Global Top Employer, NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion annually
in R&D. Make this the place where you belong, learn, and build your network. Make this the place where you grow.

what we’ll offer you:

We offer a range of tailored benefits that support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Our Learning and Development team ensure that there are continuous growth and development opportunities for our people. We also offer the opportunity to have flexible work options.

You can find more information about NTT DATA UK & Ireland here:

We are an equal opportunities employer.

We believe in the fair treatment of all our employees and commit to promoting equity and diversity in our employment practices.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We actively collaborate with individuals who have disabilities and long-term health conditions which have an effect on their ability to do normal daily activities, ensuring that barriers are eliminated when it comes to employment opportunities.

In line with our commitment, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare to us, during the application process, that they have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Join us in building a truly diverse and empowered team.

Solution strategy across NTT DATA capabilities, including consulting, applications, data, cloud, BPO, managed services, and partner technologies.

Create reusable architecture patterns, technical points of view, accelerators, and differentiated solution narratives. Conduct technical solution reviews, challenge assumptions, and reduce delivery risk before deals are committed. Guide proof-of-concept and MVP design to ensure prototypes can scale into production programs. Mentor AI Solution Architects and support capability-building across the global AI architecture community. Surface architecture gaps, delivery risks, and emerging technology needs to AI GTM leadership.

Success Measures:

• Pursuit deal volume, measured as total TCV value of AI deals where the Principal AI Architect supported.
• Pursuit win rate for AI deals where the Principal AI Architect supported.
• Utilization or billability against target.
• Quality and reuse of architecture patterns, solution reviews, technical narratives, and risk