Lead Cloud Solutions Architect

William Blair; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a premier global partnership as a Lead Cloud Solutions Architect, where you will spearhead the design of AI-ready cloud platforms within a dynamic Azure ecosystem. This role offers the chance to modernize technology stacks and implement innovative AI solutions, all while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive agile delivery. Embrace the opportunity to lead technical teams, mentor engineers, and influence strategic IT decisions in a culture that values creativity and excellence. If you're passionate about cloud architecture and eager to make a significant impact, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Short & Long-term Disability Insurance

Profit Sharing

Maven Family & Fertility Benefit

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in cloud architecture and data engineering.
• Expertise in Azure services and AI/ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Architect AI-native solutions on Azure and integrate LLMs.
• Design data pipelines and analytics platforms using Azure services.

Skills

Cloud Architecture

Data Engineering

AI/ML Frameworks

Python

Azure Services

SQL and NoSQL Databases

Agile Methodologies

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Master's Degree in Data Science

Tools

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Azure Functions

Databricks

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

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Solutions for Today’s Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow’s Opportunities.

Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership.

William Blair has delivered trusted advice for nine decades, and we continue to deepen our expertise and relationships across regions, asset classes, and markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

We are committed to our people and culture, values, clients, and local communities.

What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with employees who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients’ evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries.

We strive to attract the most qualified, passionate candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and a variety of other business functions.

We work tirelessly to create an inclusive culture and take pride in fostering employees’ professional and personal growth. We empower our people to bring their best thinking each day so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect.

Equally, we are proud of our long-term partnerships with the communities in which we live and work, a legacy we inherited from our founder.

We invite you to learn about how we are seeking excellence in everything we do and empowering our clients’ success with passion, creativity, and rigor. For more information, visit williamblair.com.

We are seeking a hands-on Solution Architect to lead the design and implementation of AI-ready cloud platforms and data solutions within our Azure ecosystem. This role is responsible for modernizing our technology stack with an AI-first approach, enabling scalable, secure, and intelligent applications. The ideal candidate is an experienced cloud and data architect with deep expertise in AI, Python, and Azure services who thrives in a fast-paced, agile environment.

The team currently operates in a hybrid working model, with at least 1 day a week required to be in the office in Chicago.

Key Responsibilities

AI-Ready Architecture, Emerging Technologies & Technical Leadership

• Architect and implement AI-native solutions on Azure, integrating LLMs and cognitive services.
• Design and optimize scalable, secure, and resilient cloud applications with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Lead the adoption of AI/ML frameworks (OpenAI, TensorFlow, PyTorch) to enhance business capabilities.
• Define AI governance, best practices, and security standards for AI deployment.
• Guide teams in developing and deploying AI-driven applications and data solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging AI, cloud, and data technologies that align with business goals.
• Lead the adoption of an AI-first mindset, ensuring AI is embedded across our technology landscape.
• Stay ahead of cloud-native and AI innovations, influencing strategic IT decisions.
  
  

Cloud & Data Engineering on Azure

• Design and implement data pipelines, data lakes, and analytics platforms using Azure services (Data Lake, Synapse, Fabric, Databricks).
• Optimize data ingestion, processing, and storage for real-time analytics and AI applications.
• Develop serverless and containerized solutions using AKS, Functions, and microservices architecture.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and compliance while implementing ETL and data integration workflows.
  
  

Execution, Collaboration and Best Practices

• Drive agile delivery of cloud and data solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Collaborate with engineering, data science, and business teams to define requirements and solution roadmaps.
• Mentor engineers and architects, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
• Develop best practices and guidelines for cloud development and data engineering.
• Conduct code reviews and ensure best practices are followed.
• Ensure all activities complies with applicable industry rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Work closely with IT and management stakeholders to define and update IT strategy in alignment with the firm’s business strategy.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Develop an understanding of multiple business functions, future strategic goals and business challenges.
  

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in cloud architecture, data engineering, and software development.
• Expertise in Azure cloud services, including AKS, Azure Functions, Synapse, Data Lake, Fabric, and Databricks.
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (OpenAI, TensorFlow, PyTorch) and LLM implementations.
• Proficiency in Python, with experience in C# or JavaScript as a plus.
• Strong background in SQL and NoSQL databases, including data modeling and query optimization.
• Experience with ETL, data ingestion, and pipeline orchestration in a cloud-native environment.
• Ability to design and implement secure, scalable, and resilient architectures.
• Proven ability to mentor and lead technical teams in an agile environment.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI-driven analytics, cognitive services, and automation in financial services.
• Familiarity with governance frameworks for AI and cloud security best practices.
• Financial services industry experience is a plus.
  
  

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at time of posting is below. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. Actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, specific degrees and certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance) and/or commission-based incentives.

Our featured benefit offerings include medical, dental and vision coverage, employer paid short & long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid time off, Maven family & fertility benefit, parental leave (including adoption, surrogacy, and foster placement), as well as other voluntary benefits.

Salary Range

$163,000—$215,000 USD

William Blair is an equal opportunity employer. It complies with all laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in employment practice because of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military service or on the basis of a physical or mental disability that is unrelated to the employee's ability to perform the duties of the job applied for. EOE m/f/d/v

Be aware of hiring scams: William Blair has clear processes and guidelines with regards to recruiting. We do not request personal financial information in connection with an employment application nor does William Blair extend any employment offers without first conducting an interview through one of its registered offices. William Blair does not use instant messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or iMessage as part of the recruiting or interviewing process.

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: William Blair does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.

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Contact us should you have any questions or concerns.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

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