CTO / Principal Solution Architect

EPAM Systems; Poland; Hybrid; PLN 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid by design

Remote work within Poland

Relocation opportunities

Stock purchase plan

Referral bonuses

Job summary

EPAM Systems is seeking an exceptional CTO-level Solution Architect to bridge technology strategy and business outcomes. You will advise C-level clients, design enterprise AI architectures and lead hands-on AI-enabled delivery across large programs.

The role demands deep multi-domain expertise, client-facing leadership, and hands-on capability to prove ideas through POCs. Hybrid work in Poland is available, with opportunities for global collaboration and executive-level influence.

Qualifications

• Requires deep experience in software architecture, technology consulting and senior advisory roles with client-facing responsibilities.
• Proven track record leading multi-million-dollar technology programs and vendor engagements.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks and AI-enabled delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to client CTOs/CIOs and shape technology strategy and operating models at scale.
• Lead complex, multinational engagements from discovery to roadmap through execution.
• Deliver AI-native architecture patterns, governance, and reference architectures across product lifecycles.

Skills

Executive communication

Client-facing leadership

Cloud architectures

AI-native fluency

Strategic advisory

Negotiation

Thought leadership

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

TOGAF

ArchiMate

BIAN

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

We are looking for an exceptional CTO-level Solution Architect who operates at the intersection of technology strategy, business outcomes, AI Architecture and AI-native engineering. This is a senior, client-facing role for a "caterpillar-shaped" technologist — someone with deep expertise across multiple business domains and technology stacks, spanning Enterprise & Business strategy, Technology Organization & Strategy, Solution Architecture and Implementation. You will be both a strategic advisor to C-level clients and a hands-on technologist willing to roll up your sleeves to prove ideas through POCs.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to client CTOs, CIOs, CDOs and other C-suite stakeholders on technology strategy, target operating models and large-scale digital and AI transformation
• Own client relationships and shape future opportunities — extend your network deep into ED, MD and C-level decision-makers; sell vision at the highest level and pitch capabilities directly to executives
• Lead complex consulting engagements of large scale and international scope; oversee multiple client accounts; drive strategy and transformation programs from discovery through roadmap to execution
• Run executive workshops, technology assessments and architecture reviews; translate complex IT concepts for non-technical executives and guide them through technical intricacies
• Operate as a fluent AI-native technologist, aligned with EPAM's AI/Run® Transform strategy — AI-Native Delivery (AI-powered SDLC with agentic workflows), AI-Driven Modernization and Agentic Solutions across the Product Development Lifecycle
• Define target-state AI reference architectures at enterprise scale; design AI Centers of Excellence, governance bodies and operating models that combine platform, product and federated team patterns
• Operate fluently in AI-native development environments daily; able to teach delivery teams how to do the same
• Maintain working fluency with GenAI / LLM stacks, agentic frameworks and AI-native engineering tools (e.g., Cursor and similar)
• Represent EPAM as a speaker at major external industry conferences and analyst events (Gartner, Forrester, IDC summits, hyperscaler/partner conferences, industry-vertical events)
• Present at EPAM internal C-level and senior leadership forums
• Author technology points of view, whitepapers, blueprints and reference architectures published through EPAM's Presales Portal, Technology platform and external channels
• Personally build AI POCs and proofs of value during pursuits and early-stage engagements — end-to-end, in code, deployed and demonstrable. Not just slideware
• Produce architectural artifacts: reference architectures, blueprints, target operating models, governance frameworks, transition roadmaps
• Lead pre-sales response on strategic, complex pursuits; partner with sales, account and consulting leadership on multi-million-dollar opportunities
• Evolve service offerings, accelerators and reusable IP; contribute to EPAM's offering portfolio
• Recommend top talent and senior staff for engagements; recruit, upsell and expand within accounts
• Mentor and coach Senior SAs, Lead Engineers and emerging architects; act as a mentor/coach to others advancing into senior leadership positions

Requirements

• Deep, multi-stage career across software engineering, architecture and technology consulting, with significant time in client-facing senior advisory roles
• Demonstrable track record of leadership on large, international, transformational engagements end-to-end — from C-level discovery through architecture and delivery
• Proven success on multi-million-dollar technology programs
• Existing personal brand and senior network in the technology community
• "Caterpillar-shaped" expertise: deep in multiple technology stacks AND multiple business domains across enterprise, solution and implementation layers
• Strong command of cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, event-driven architectures, integration and security-by-design
• AI-native fluency: GenAI / LLMs, RAG, agentic systems, MLOps, AI governance and ethics, AI-augmented SDLC; able to lead an AI POC personally
• Comfortable with industry-endorsed frameworks (TOGAF, ArchiMate, Zachman, BIAN, etc.)
• Outstanding executive communication and negotiation skills — proven track record of influence on C-level decisions
• Thought leadership in industry — recognized speaker and contributor in domain or technology communities
• Open-minded, curious and intellectually honest — actively seeks dissenting views, comfortable being challenged and changes course on evidence
• Ability to simplify the complex for non-technical audiences without loss of fidelity level; leads pre-sales response on EPAM's most strategic pursuits

Nice to have

• Prior production experience with operation and construction of AI systems, beyond POCs, is a huge plus

We offer

• We gather like-minded people:
• Top tech minds driving innovation in AI, cloud and digital platform modernization
• Supportive team and agile, startup-like culture
• Hybrid by design mode and opportunity to work remotely within Poland
• Chance to work abroad for up to 60 days annually
• Business-driven relocation opportunities
• Thought leadership, mentoring, soft skills and well-being programs
• We cover it all:
• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 15% discount
• Referral bonuses up to $2,000
• Offices featuring entertainment and relaxation zones, table tennis and football, free snacks, coffee and more
• Corporate, social and well-being events
• Please, note:
• Benefits listed above are available to employees only
• We are open for working with Contractors. Terms of B2B cooperation agreements are agreed individually
• We will reach out to selected candidates exclusively

EPAM is global leader in AI transformation engineering and integrated consulting, serving Forbes Global 2000 companies and ambitious startups. With over thirty years of expertise in custom software, product and platform engineering, we empower our clients to become AI-Native enterprises, driving measurable value from innovation and digital investments.