AI Architect

ZScale LLC; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

NextEra Energy in St. Paul, MN seeks a Principal AI Developer to provide technical vision and leadership for enterprise AI initiatives. You will define enterprise AI architecture, lead transformations, and stay hands-on with solution design and development.

The ideal candidate combines deep Python and AI engineering expertise with strategic thinking, enterprise-scale delivery, cloud experience, and strong leadership to mentor engineers and partner with executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI, or related field.
• 15+ years of software engineering, architecture, AI/ML, or related disciplines.
• Extensive applied AI/ML experience with enterprise-scale impact.
• Advanced Python development and hands-on coding with AI.
• Proven experience designing and implementing scalable, distributed AI systems.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML architecture, model development, deployment, integration, and production ops.
• Strong enterprise architecture and system-design experience.
• Extensive cloud platform and modern enterprise data ecosystem experience.
• Experience defining technical standards and architecture across large-scale initiatives.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and stakeholder-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Define and own enterprise-wide AI architecture, standards, and long-term technology strategy.
• Architect and develop scalable, distributed AI/ML systems and enterprise AI platforms.
• Remain hands-on with Python development, prototyping, solution design, and complex technical problem-solving.
• Lead high-impact AI initiatives from architecture and design through production implementation.
• Establish technical standards, governance frameworks, and responsible/ethical AI practices.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and provide recommendations on enterprise adoption and investment.
• Partner with executive leadership, architecture, engineering, data, and business teams to establish AI priorities and roadmaps.
• Ensure AI solutions meet enterprise requirements for scalability, security, reliability, performance, and maintainability.
• Provide technical leadership across cloud platforms, enterprise data ecosystems, AI/ML platforms, and distributed systems.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects while developing future technical leaders.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority for complex AI architecture and engineering decisions.

Skills

Python development

AI/ML architecture

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or related field

Tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

Exp: 15+

Location :St. Paul, MN -onsite

Client- NextEra Energy

Interview mode- virtual (possible onsite)

Local candidates or quick relocation capable please

Principal AI Developer / AI Architect to provide technical vision and leadership for enterprise AI initiatives within a large organization in the energy and utilities sector. This individual will define enterprise AI architecture, lead complex AI transformations, and serve as a trusted technical advisor to senior and executive leadership while remaining hands‑on with solution design and development.

The ideal candidate is a recognized AI/ML expert who combines deep hands‑on Python and AI engineering expertise with enterprise architecture, technical strategy, and leadership experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own enterprise‑wide AI technical architecture, standards, and long‑term technology strategy
• Architect and develop scalable, distributed AI/ML systems and enterprise AI platforms
• Remain hands‑on with Python development, prototyping, solution design, and complex technical problem‑solving
• Lead high‑impact AI initiatives from architecture and design through production implementation
• Establish technical standards, governance frameworks, and responsible/ethical AI practices
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and provide recommendations on enterprise adoption and investment
• Partner with executive leadership, architecture, engineering, data, and business teams to establish AI priorities and roadmaps
• Ensure AI solutions meet enterprise requirements for scalability, security, reliability, performance, and maintainability
• Provide technical leadership across cloud platforms, enterprise data ecosystems, AI/ML platforms, and distributed systems
• Mentor senior engineers and architects while developing future technical leaders
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical authority for complex AI architecture and engineering decisions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field
• 15+ years of experience across software engineering, architecture, AI/ML, or related technical disciplines
• Extensive applied AI/ML experience with demonstrated enterprise‑scale impact
• Advanced Python development expertise and ability to remain hands‑on with code
• Proven experience designing and implementing scalable, distributed AI systems
• Deep understanding of AI/ML architecture, model development, deployment, integration, and production operations
• Strong enterprise architecture and system‑design experience
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms and modern enterprise data ecosystems
• Demonstrated experience defining technical standards and architecture across large‑scale initiatives
• Strong technical leadership, mentorship, and stakeholder‑management capabilities
• Ability to communicate complex technical strategies and architecture decisions to executive audiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise‑wide AI transformation initiatives
• Experience with Generative AI, LLMs, Agentic AI, RAG, and emerging AI architectures
• Experience establishing AI governance, responsible AI, security, and ethical AI frameworks
• Experience evaluating emerging AI technologies and influencing enterprise technology investments
• Energy, utilities, or other large‑scale regulated enterprise experience