Senior Architect AI

Virgin Media Business Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Global seeks a Senior Architect AI to design and oversee the end-to-end AI platform architecture powering telecom services across its networks. You will bridge technical excellence with business value, shaping data pipelines, model development, and deployment frameworks on Prem and cloud platforms.

You will define architectural standards, ensure scalable, secure integrations with core infrastructure, and guide engineering, data science and product teams to deliver measurable business

Qualifications

• 8-10 years in software architecture or tech lead roles.
• 4-5 years focused on AI/ML platforms and data-intensive systems.
• Experience designing production AI/ML architectures.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization.
• Understanding of Agile practices and architectural governance.
• Strong communication with technical and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end AI architecture design and platform evolution.
• Define standards, patterns, and tech selection for scalable AI.
• Ensure integration with Liberty Global's telecom infrastructure.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams and product managers.
• Collaborate with operations on deployment, capacity planning, cost optimization.
• Lead due diligence for acquisitions or partnerships.

Skills

AI/ML platforms

Cloud platforms

Kubernetes

Docker

MLOps

Distributed systems

API architecture

Big data processing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/Engineering/Telecommunications

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Infrastructure as Code

Job description

Job Purpose

As Senior Architect AI, you will be accountable for designing and overseeing the end-to-end AI platform architecture that powers Liberty Global's telecommunications services across our 85 million subscriber base. You'll bridge technical excellence with business value, ensuring AI solutions integrate seamlessly with our telecommunications infrastructure while meeting operational, budget, and performance requirements. This role requires deep technical expertise combined with strong communication skills to work effectively with both engineering teams and business stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into actionable recommendations that drive business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End AI Architecture Design & Ownership Design and maintain comprehensive AI platform architecture spanning data pipelines, model development, infrastructure, deployment frameworks, and integration with both on Prem and cloud platforms and applications. Own the technical vision for AI platform evolution, ensuring architecture supports current and future business requirements, context & process across customer experience, AI innovation, and operational efficiency use cases
• Define architectural standards, design patterns, and technology selection criteria that enable scalable, reliable AI implementations across multiple European markets & ventures
• Ensure architectural decisions consider operational requirements, budget constraints, and business priorities while maintaining technical excellence
• Platform Integration & Technical Accountability Take accountability for AI platform integration with Liberty Global's core telecommunications infrastructure & ventures, ensuring seamless data flow and system reliability Design integration patterns and API strategies that connect AI services with existing platforms while maintaining security, performance, and data quality standards Collaborate with enterprise architects and engineering teams to ensure AI solutions align with overall technology architecture and infrastructure capabilities Establish output goals, monitoring, observability, and quality assurance practices for AI platform components, ensuring operational stability and performance targets are met
• Technical Guidance & Cross-Functional Collaboration Provide technical expertise and architectural guidance to engineering teams, data scientists, and product managers throughout the AI solution development lifecycle Work closely with business stakeholders to understand requirements, translate them into technical architectures, and communicate trade-offs, timelines, and resource needs clearly Review and approve technical designs, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and best practices while addressing scalability, security, and maintainability concerns Collaborate with operations teams on deployment strategies, capacity planning, and cost optimization for AI infrastructure and cloud resources Support comprehensive technical due diligence for potential acquisitions, investments, or partnerships
• Operational Excellence & Budget Considerations Contribute to budget planning and cost optimization discussions, providing recommendations on infrastructure investments, cloud resource allocation, and technology choices Design architectures that optimize operational efficiency through automation, resource utilization, and smart platform design while meeting performance requirements Support capacity planning and infrastructure scaling decisions based on usage patterns, performance metrics, and business growth projections Participate in vendor evaluations and technology assessments, providing technical recommendations that balance capability, cost, and operational impact Define, refine & optimise processes, frameworks & context to ensure right business outcomes Set Lifecycle management expectations and govern End of Existence models and components Define and validate business cases by establishing clear metrics, measurable outcomes, and ROI, ensuring solutions deliver tangible customer value and product impact

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• 8-10 years of experience in software architecture or technical lead roles with 4-5 years focused on AI/ML platforms and data-intensive systems
• Proven experience designing end-to-end architectures or processes for AI/ML systems in production environments supporting large user bases
• Understanding of IT platforms i.e., cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), containerization (Kubernetes, Docker), and MLOps frameworks and practices
• Understanding of the use of Waterfall vs Agile practices including use of Kanban, SAFE, etc
• Deep understanding of telecommunications systems and integration patterns with OSS/BSS, customer platforms, and network management systems
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with both technical teams and business stakeholders, translating between technical and business language
• Proficiency in AI/ML technologies including model training platforms, deployment frameworks, data pipelines, and monitoring tools
• Experience with distributed systems design, API architecture, and microservices patterns for building scalable platforms
• Strong knowledge of database technologies, data warehousing, streaming platforms (Kafka, Pulsar), and big data processing frameworks
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and business stakeholders including use of deep data analysis
• Understanding of budget planning, cost modelling, and operational considerations for large-scale technology platforms & businesses
• Ability to source, process, and analyse complex datasets to generate actionable insights that inform business and product decisions
• Understanding of budget planning, cost modelling, and operational considerations for large-scale technology platforms & businesses
• Ability to source, process, and analyse complex datasets to generate actionable insights that inform business and product decisions

Desirable:

• Hands-on coding and prototyping experience in AI/ML development (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Experience with proof-of-concept development and technical validation of new AI technologies
• Background in data science or machine learning engineering with an understanding of model development workflows
• Practical experience with infrastructure-as-code and DevOps practices for AI platforms
• Knowledge of data management
• M&A due diligence

Preferred education/qualifications:

• Experience in telecommunications, cable, or network infrastructure industries with understanding of subscriber analytics and operational systems
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Telecommunications, or related technical field
• Background in hands-on development with Python, Java, or similar languages (nice to have but not required for day-to-day work)
• Knowledge of AI ethics, responsible AI practices, and regulatory requirements relevant to European telecommunications markets or relevant knowledge gained from operations
• Experience with architectural frameworks and documentation practices for enterprise-scale systems

Our Story

We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today. Liberty Global is a leading international converged connectivity and investment company focused on creating sustainable, long-term value for customers, employees and shareholders through the strategic management of three platforms — Liberty Telecom, Liberty Growth and Liberty Services. Liberty Telecom is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications services, delivering next-generation products through advanced fibre and 5G networks. It currently provides approximately 80 million connections through some of Europe’s best-known consumer brands, including Virgin Media-O2 in the UK, VodafoneZiggo in The Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium, and Virgin Media in Ireland. With our substantial scale and commitment to innovation, we are building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, investing in the infrastructure and platforms that empower our customers to make the most of the digital revolution, while deploying the advanced technologies that nations and economies need to thrive. Liberty Growth invests, grows and rotates capital into scalable businesses across the technology, media/content, sports and infrastructure industries with a portfolio of approximately 70 companies and various funds, including stakes in companies like ITV, Televisa Univision, Plume, EdgeConneX and AtlasEdge, as well as our controlling interest in the Formula E racing series. Liberty Services delivers innovative technology and finance services, generating approximately $600 million in revenue. Our scale enables us to transfer knowledge and expertise across our operations and investments, creating a dynamic family of brands united in the pursuit of innovation and excellence, with a commitment to building a culture where everyone feels they belong. And we’re prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment. We are using technology as a force for good; for our people, our partners and the planet. OUR FUTURE OUTLOOK IS EXCITING, TOGETHER

Privacy Policy

The data included in the candidate account (eg. your name, e‑mail address and CV; hereafter collectively “your data”) will be processed by Liberty Global as the Controller for the purposes of candidate selection, placement and employment. Your data can also be shared with Liberty Global plc and/or its majority owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Liberty Global Group”, “we” or “us”) and third party organizations providing recruitment, selection, placement and employment services. Such third parties will use candidate information only in connection with such services, and applicable law. Your data will be retained for the period of up to 1 year after closing the selection process, after which it will be deleted. You have: the right to access your data or ask for a copy of the personal data that we hold about you and, if such personal data is inaccurate or incomplete, to request the rectification, erasure or blocking of such personal data. You have the right to object to the processing; and the right to lodge a complaint at a supervisory authority or a court of law in accordance with applicable laws. If you wish to exercise your privacy rights or if you have any questions about our privacy rights or about our privacy rights please contact: [e-mail]