Lead AI Architect

Ascendion; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascendion is seeking a Lead AI Architect in Maharashtra to drive enterprise-wide AI strategy, architecture, and GenAI initiatives for BFSI clients. You will define the AI vision, establish best practices, and lead large-scale AI transformations.

The role requires 12-18 years total experience with 5+ years in AI architecture/lead roles, and hands-on expertise across ML, NLP, and governance. You will collaborate with CXOs to align AI programs with business goals.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in ML, NLP, and GenAI ecosystems.
• Strong experience with LLM frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face).
• Hands-on with RAG architectures, embeddings, and vector databases.
• Experience in designing enterprise-scale AI platforms on cloud.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, risk, and compliance in BFSI.
• Proven leadership in driving large-scale AI transformations.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead enterprise AI/GenAI architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design scalable platforms for ML and GenAI (LLMs, RAG pipelines, AI agents).
• Lead design of advanced use cases: fraud detection, risk modeling, document intelligence, AI copilots.
• Evaluate and onboard LLMs (OpenAI, open-source models like LLaMA, Mistral, etc.)
• Establish AI governance frameworks (model risk management, explainability, fairness, compliance).
• Drive adoption of MLOps and LLMOps best practices.
• Provide thought leadership and mentor architects and senior engineers.
• Collaborate with CXOs and business leaders to align AI initiatives with business outcomes.

Skills

ML & NLP

GenAI

LLM frameworks

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Hugging Face

RAG architectures

Embeddings

Vector DBs

Cloud platforms

AI governance

Leadership

Tools

OpenAI API

LLMs

LangChain

Job description

Role Overview

We are looking for a Lead AI Architect to drive enterprise-wide AI strategy, architecture, and implementation across ML and Generative AI initiatives. This role will define the AI vision, establish best practices, and lead large-scale AI transformations in the BFSI domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead enterprise AI/GenAI architecture strategy and roadmap
• Design scalable platforms for ML and GenAI (LLMs, RAG pipelines, AI agents)
• Lead design of advanced use cases: fraud detection, risk modeling, document intelligence, AI copilots
• Evaluate and onboard LLMs (OpenAI, open-source models like LLaMA, Mistral, etc.)
• Establish AI governance frameworks (model risk management, explainability, fairness, compliance)
• Drive adoption of MLOps and LLMOps best practices
• Provide thought leadership and mentor architects and senior engineers
• Collaborate with CXOs and business leaders to align AI initiatives with business outcomes

Required Skills

• Deep expertise in ML, NLP, and GenAI ecosystems
• Strong experience with LLM frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face)
• Hands-on with RAG architectures, embeddings, and vector databases
• Experience in designing enterprise-scale AI platforms on cloud
• Strong understanding of AI governance, risk, and compliance in BFSI
• Proven leadership in driving large-scale AI transformations

Experience

• 12-18 years overall, with 5+ years in AI architecture/lead roles