Enterprise AI Lead

Nihon Kohden; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Nihon Kohden America is seeking an Enterprise AI Lead to shape and drive the organization’s AI strategy, governance, and adoption across business and IT teams.

You will collaborate with Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data & Analytics, and Software Development to embed AI responsibly and deliver measurable business value. Strong leadership and cross-functional success are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• AI, Cloud, Architecture, or Data-related certifications preferred.
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer.
• TOGAF
• CISSP
• 8+ years of experience in IT, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Transformation or related fields.
• 3+ years leading or supporting AI/ML or Digital Transformation initiatives.
• Experience with cross-functional teams in a complex enterprise environment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal direction and established processes.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• English communication proficiency and ability to work with global teams.

Responsibilities

• AI Strategy & Roadmap: Develop, support, and drive execution of the enterprise AI strategy and adoption plans.
• AI Governance, Risk & Compliance: Create policies, standards, and reference architectures.
• AI Architecture & Technology Selection: Contribute to enterprise AI architecture and standards.
• Enterprise Adoption Leadership: Lead AI adoption across business and technical units.
• AI Literacy & Communities: Build training and enablement to improve AI maturity.
• Use Case Management: Identify, evaluate, and prioritize AI use cases and pilots.
• Program Tracking & Reporting: Coordinate AI initiatives and value realization.
• AI Advisory & Collaboration: Serve as SME to leadership and teams.
• Thought Leadership & Global Execution: Collaborate with global teams across time zones.
• Adhere to policies and adapt to business needs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication (English)

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Data Science or related field

AI, Cloud, Architecture, or Data-related certifications preferred

Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer

CISSP

Tools

Azure

Google Cloud

Enterprise Architecture Tools

Security & Compliance Tools

Job description

The Enterprise AI Lead is responsible for supporting the development and leading the execution of the organization's Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, governance framework, and adoption roadmap. This role serves as the central point of coordination for AI initiatives across the enterprise, partnering with business and IT technical teams to identify opportunities, establish standards, enable responsible AI adoption, and drive measurable business value.

The Enterprise AI Lead collaborates closely with Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Applications, Software Development, Data & Analytics, and key stakeholders to ensure AI capabilities are effectively integrated into organizational processes, technology platforms, and ways of working.

The role focuses on building enterprise AI capabilities, governance, and organizational maturity while enabling technical teams to leverage AI safely, responsibly, and effectively.

Essential Functions and Main Duties

• AI Strategy & Roadmap: Develop, support, and drive execution of the enterprise AI strategy, roadmap, and adoption plans aligned with business objectives. Evaluate emerging AI technologies, architectures, and industry trends to identify innovation opportunities and recommend enterprise AI technology direction, standards, and implementation approaches.
• AI Opportunity & Metrics: Identify and prioritize AI opportunities that improve operational efficiency, customer experience, employee productivity, software development effectiveness, and decision-making. Establish success metrics, monitor progress against strategic objectives, and measure business value realization.
• AI Governance Frameworks, Risk & Compliance: Develop, support, and coordinate enterprise AI governance through the creation of policies, standards, reference architectures, and best practices. Participate in governance reviews, architecture reviews, and technology evaluations for AI-related initiatives. Partner with Cybersecurity, Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management teams to ensure responsible AI adoption while addressing data privacy, security, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and ethical AI.
• Enterprise AI Architecture, Standards & Technology Selection: Develop and contribute to enterprise AI architecture, technical standards, and implementation patterns for AI-assisted software development, knowledge management, automation, and business process optimization. Collaborate with Infrastructure, Security, Data, Enterprise Applications, and Software Development teams to build scalable, secure, and maintainable AI platforms. Design, architect, develop, deploy, and continuously improve enterprise AI solutions, including AI applications, AI agents, automation workflows, AI-assisted software capabilities, application-embedded AI features, and integrations using enterprise AI platforms and services. Provide technical leadership throughout the AI solution lifecycle by establishing solution architectures, guiding technical implementation, conducting architecture and design reviews, evaluating technologies, supporting proof-of-concepts and production deployments, and ensuring solutions meet enterprise architecture, security, scalability, maintainability, and business needs.
• Enterprise Adoption Leadership: Lead enterprise AI adoption initiatives across business and technical organizations. Coach and advise executives, project teams, architects, software engineers, and business stakeholders on AI opportunities, solution architecture, implementation approaches, and enterprise best practices.
• AI Literacy & Communities: Develop AI training, technical enablement, engineering standards, awareness programs, and Communities of Practice to improve enterprise AI literacy, software engineering effectiveness, and responsible AI usage across business and technical teams.
• Use Case Management: Facilitate identification, evaluation, and prioritization of enterprise AI use cases. Support business case development, technical feasibility assessments, proof-of-concepts, pilot programs, and enterprise deployment planning.
• Program Tracking & Reporting: Coordinate with PMO and business stakeholders to track AI initiatives, technical deliverables, outcomes, risks, dependencies, adoption metrics, and value realization across enterprise AI programs.
• AI Advisory & Collaboration: Serve as the enterprise AI technical subject matter expert and trusted advisor to leadership and technical teams. Provide technical leadership, architectural guidance, and implementation recommendations across Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Applications, Data & Analytics, Software Development, and business functions.
• Thought Leadership & Global Execution: Promote a culture of innovation, continuous learning, technical excellence, and responsible AI usage. Provide thought leadership on AI technologies, engineering best practices, enterprise architecture, and emerging industry trends. Collaborate effectively with global teams across multiple time zones, including Japan Headquarters and other international locations, to deliver enterprise AI capabilities while exercising a high degree of independent judgment and technical leadership.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes.
• Duties may be modified or assigned at any time based on business need.

Qualifications

Education / Certification / Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science, Business Information Systems, or a related field; relevant education and experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• AI, Cloud, Architecture, or Data-related certifications preferred.
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• TOGAF
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• 8+ years of experience in Information Technology, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Transformation, Software Development, Data & Analytics, or related disciplines.
• 3+ years of experience leading or supporting AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Automation, or Digital Transformation initiatives.
• Experience working with cross-functional business and technical teams in a complex enterprise environment.
• Experience developing technology strategies, governance frameworks, standards, or enterprise roadmaps.
• Experience managing technology programs, initiatives, or organizational change efforts.
• Ability to follow written and verbal direction and established processes/policies.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and troubleshoot.
• Strong record-keeping skill: Ability to follow through and document issues and resolutions.
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, and to receive and understand verbal and written instructions in English.
• Able to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment.

Compensation

The anticipated range for this position is $93,600 to $135,200. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, experience and location.

Perks and Benefits

Visit our Career page to learn more about Perks & Benefits and working at Nihon Kohden America

Working Conditions

Schedule:

The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, unless otherwise stated by the department manager. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the organization or department and are subject to change at any time at the Company's discretion.

Physical:

Generally may require some reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying up to 20 pounds, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, standing, walking, sitting, hearing, visual acuity, and color vision. More specific details may be provided as needed or requested.

Travel:

Minimal

Access to Customer Sites:

Not Required

Nihon Kohden America is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and business needs, without regard to legally protected characteristics. This policy applies to all employment actions, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, and other workplace practices.

Nihon Kohden America complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity. Employees and applicants will not be subject to harassment or retaliation for asserting their legal rights. Questions or concerns regarding this policy may be directed to Human Resources at [e-mail] .