AI Solutions Architect

Blackhawk Network; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with employer match

Medical

Dental

Vision

12 paid holidays in 2026

Sick pay accrual

Parental leave

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Health and dependent care FSA

Wellness benefits

Flexible time off

Job summary

Blackhawk Network in Pleasanton, CA, is seeking a hands-on AI Architect to partner with business leaders, design and deploy AI-driven solutions that automate workflows, improve quality, and reduce costs at scale. This role blends technical delivery with strategic leadership.

You will own end-to-end AI initiatives, build scalable data foundations, ensure governance and responsible AI, and mentor peers while reporting directly to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Math, or related field.
• 8–10 years in data/systems engineering.
• 3–5 years with ML/AI-driven data platforms.
• Proficiency in modern AI/ML frameworks (Glean, Claude, Co-pilot Enterprise).
• Strong NLP and conversational AI knowledge.
• Experience delivering production AI systems.
• Hands-on builder and strategic partner to business leaders.
• Excellent communication bridging tech and business.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to identify high-impact AI opportunities.
• Design and deploy AI agents, multi-agent workflows and LLM-powered processes.
• Build scalable automation pipelines integrated with enterprise data platforms.
• Define and implement AI architecture standards, governance and scale.
• Mentor team members and present to executives.

Skills

Data and systems engineering

Machine learning / AI experience

System design & architecture

NLP / conversational AI

Hands-on builder & strategic partner

Bias for action

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Math or related field

Tools

Glean

Claude

Co-pilot Enterprise

AI frameworks/tools

Job description

Hybrid flexibility:

At Blackhawk Network, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds—focused remote work plus in-person collaboration on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, our regular in-office days at our Pleasanton headquarters. This rhythm gives you the tools, connection, and autonomy you need to make a real impact.

Overview

At Blackhawk Network, we are driving enterprise AI solutions that are fundamentally reshaping how we operate. We are looking for a hands-on AI Architect who can partner directly with business leaders to identify, design, and deploy AI-driven solutions that automate workflows, improve quality, and reduce costs at scale. This technical, results-oriented AI Architect will drive the design, development, and implementation of Agentic AI / Gen AI solutions. You will define the strategic vision for critical AI initiatives, leveraging various technologies to ensure they align with business objectives and meet high standards for scalability, security, and performance. This is not a theoretical or advisory role rather it’s a role that will build-and-deploy with direct visibility to senior leadership and a mandate to drive measurable business impact.

Responsibilities

Partner to Identify and Unlock Value

• Work directly with business leaders across Finance, Operations, Customer Support, and GTM to identify high-impact opportunities to automate, scale, and improve quality
• Translate complex business workflows into AI-driven solutions with clear, measurable ROI

Design and Build AI Solutions End-to-End

• Architect and develop AI agents, multi-agent systems, and LLM-powered workflows
• Build and deploy scalable, production-grade automation pipelines integrated with enterprise systems and data platforms
• Select and integrate the right tools, frameworks, and infrastructure to support long-term scalability

Own Delivery from Concept to Impact

• Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on solutions
• Productionize with robust, scalable architecture and cloud-based infrastructure
• Drive adoption and ensure solutions deliver measurable outcomes (efficiency, speed, quality)

Establish the AI Foundation for Scale

• Define and implement AI architecture standards, best practices, and governance frameworks
• Build scalable data and platform foundations to support AI/ML workloads
• Ensure responsible AI practices, data quality, and compliance are embedded from the start

Lead, Influence, and Elevate the Organization

• Serve as the technical lead across cross-functional initiatives, translating business needs into actionable AI solutions
• Present architectural strategies and progress to executive leadership
• Mentor team members and elevate AI literacy across the organization

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in data and/or systems engineering, preferably 3-5 years of experience with machine learning, or AI-driven data platforms
• Related bachelor’s degree (Computer Science, Mathematics, etc.)
• Proficiency in modern AI/ML frameworks and tools (specifically, Glean, Claude, Co-pilot Enterprise, etc.)
• Strong system design and architecture capabilities
• Strong understanding of NLP (natural language processing), conversational AI, and their applications
• Proven track record of building and deploying AI systems into production (not just advising or prototyping)
• Ability to operate as both a hands-on builder and a strategic technical partner to business leaders
• Strong bias for action – moves quickly from idea to execution and prioritize impact over perfection
• Analytical mindset with comfort guiding stakeholders through ambiguity
• Strong communication skills to bridge technical and business stakeholders

We seek candidates who not only demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in emerging technologies but have also successfully implemented and utilized AI tools to enhance their work, improve processes, or deliver measurable results. Our teams embrace continuous learning and the thoughtful integration of AI to create meaningful impact – for our employees and the future of work.

Salary Range for California Residents Only: $170,360.00 to $230,000.00

Salary Range for Illinois Residents Only: $129,620.00 to $175,000.00

In addition to your salary, Blackhawk Network offers benefits including:

• 401k with employer match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• 12 paid holidays in the year 2026
• 1 hour of sick pay accrual for every 30 hours worked
• parental leave
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• accident and illness insurance
• health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• wellness benefits
• flexible time off for all full-time employees

EEO Statement

Blackhawk Network provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Blackhawk Network believes that diversity leads to strength. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Blackhawk Network encourages applicants with previous criminal records to apply to all positions and, pursuant to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Acts (and other “Fair Chance” laws), Blackhawk Network will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For Philadelphia applicants or jobs, please see a copy of Philadelphia’s ordinance on this topic by clicking this link: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-280104 .