AI Architect Principal - AI Foundation

Federal Express Corporation; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Express Corporation is seeking an AI Architect Principal to define the enterprise AI strategy and architecture. You will lead hands-on architecture work, build scalable AI platforms, and guide teams across business units to adopt strong AI patterns.

The role requires deep AI/ML knowledge, cloud capabilities (GCP/AWS/Azure), and experience shaping governance and data-security practices. This hybrid role is based near major FedEx campuses in the U.S.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience solving ambiguous business problems with enterprise AI architectures.
• Experience designing reference architectures or reusable platforms adopted by multiple teams.
• Hybrid position with a preference for Plano, TX; open to Pittsburgh, PA and Memphis, TN; candidates within 50 miles of campus preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define enterprise AI strategy and architecture across the organization.
• Develop reference architectures and design patterns for AI platforms.
• Lead evaluation of AI technologies and partners and guide teams on best practices.

Skills

Strategic AI Leadership

Architecture Roadmaps

Executive Communication

Technical AI Architecture

AI/ML Proficiency

Data Governance & Security

Education

Masters or PhD in CS/Data Science/Engineering

Tools

GCP

AWS

Azure

Job description

Summary

The AI Architect is responsible for defining the overarching strategy and architecture for artificial intelligence across the enterprise. This role establishes the principles, standards, and technology roadmap that will guide the development of all AI initiatives. They focus on creating a cohesive and future-proof AI ecosystem that enables innovation while ensuring alignment with business strategy, data governance, and enterprise architecture. The AI Architect provides thought leadership and technical guidance to teams and senior leadership on the strategic application of AI.

Essential Functions

About the Role - AI Architect Principal will serve as a hands-on technical leader responsible for architecting, building, and executing FedEx's enterprise AI strategy—delivering foundational patterns that enable all business pillars.

• Develop and maintain the enterprise AI architecture, including reference architectures and design patterns.
• Define the strategy for the company's AI platforms, tools, and infrastructure.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of foundational AI technologies and partners.
• Provide expert consultation to business units and project teams on the art of the possible with AI.
• Govern the implementation of AI solutions to ensure they adhere to architectural standards and best practices.
• Mentor technical talent and act as a thought leader both internally and externally.
• Stay up to date with the progression of the overall AI landscape and provides inputs to ensure adoption of relevant architecture patterns.

Preferred Skills/Knowledge/Experience

• Strategic AI Leadership: Proven experience in a leadership capacity, defining enterprise-level AI strategy / enterprise architecture
• Develop comprehensive architecture roadmaps and governance frameworks.
• Executive Communication & Influence: Exceptional strategic thinking and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence C-level executives and guide technical teams.
• Technical Architecture Expertise: Deep expertise in designing and architecting complex, scalable AI and machine learning systems, grounded in a strong understanding of data architecture, data engineering, and MLOps principles.
• Broad AI/ML Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of the AI/ML technology landscape , including in-depth understanding of major cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure), industry trends, and proficiency in key domains such as LLMs, prompt engineering, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Model Context Protocol (MCP) , AI Agents, data management, LLM integration, DevOps, computer vision, and predictive analytics.
• Data Governance & Security: A strong command of data strategy, governance, and security principles as they apply to the development and deployment of enterprise AI solutions.

Minimum Education

Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.

Minimum Experience

8+ years of experience. Must have a proven track record of solving ambiguous business problems with novel system architectures. Experience should include designing reference architectures or reusable platforms that have been adopted by multiple teams.

Domicile Information

"This is a hybrid position with a preference for candidates located in Plano, Texas, also open to candidates in Pittsburgh, PA and Memphis, TN. Candidates must live within 50 miles of the campus location. Employees will be required to work at the FedEx campus location several times per week."

Pay Transparency

The compensation listed reflects the pay range or rate of pay reasonably expected for this posted position at the posted location or locations. If this opportunity includes multiple job levels, the pay information represents the ranges for each level in that job family. Actual pay is determined by several job-related factors permitted by law and relevant to the position, including, but not limited to, experience relative to the job, tenure, market level, pay at the location for this job, performance, schedule, and work assignment. In California, the compensation listed reflects the range or rate of pay reasonably expected for this posted position upon hire. In New Jersey, any compensable Security and Walk time will be paid to non-exempt/hourly employees at the state minimum wage.

Federal Express Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including, Vets/Disability.

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process. Applicants who require reasonable accommodations in the application or hiring process should contact [e-mail].

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Laws

• Know Your Rights
• Pay Transparency
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Employee Polygraph Protection

E-Verify Program Participant: Federal Express Corporation participates in the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' E-Verify program (For U.S. applicants and employees only).

• E-Verify Notice (bilingual)
• Right to Work Notice (English) / (Spanish)