Lead Platform Engineer (Data & AI)

Hsmconsulting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Huron is seeking a Lead Platform Engineer in Chicago to lead architecture, deployment, and operationalization of AI, Microsoft Fabric, and workflow platforms for Managed Services across 50+ clients.

The role requires hands-on DevOps, Salesforce, and cloud data experience, with a focus on AI workflow development and cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and client organizations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in platform engineering, DevOps, cloud operations, or similar roles.
• Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps (ADO), pipelines, governance, and multi-project management.
• Experience with Salesforce administration or coordination, including enhancements.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric or Azure data platforms (Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks).
• Experience designing AI/LLM solutions, including prompt workflows and automation.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture, configuration, and administration of internal Azure DevOps environments across multiple client engagements.
• Coordinate requirements gathering and deployment activities with the Salesforce development team for enhancements to the Salesforce workflow platform.
• Lead design, development, and maintenance of internal AI-powered solutions and Claude AI projects.
• Coordinate client onboarding for Microsoft Fabric deployments with client IT and data teams.
• Review Power BI data models and assess dependencies across reporting and data pipelines.
• Support expansion of Managed Services processes into Salesforce and other enterprise platforms.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and platform standards for resilience.
• Mentor team members and contribute to the internal Tech Committee on platform engineering and automation.

Skills

Azure DevOps

Salesforce administration

AI/LLM solutions

Cloud data platforms

Communication skills

Tools

Azure DevOps (ADO)

Salesforce

Microsoft Fabric

Databricks

Job description

Huron helps its clients drive growth, enhance performance and sustain leadership in the markets they serve. We collaborate with education organizations to develop strategies and implement solutions that enable the transformative change our clients need to own their future. Together, we empower clients to drive innovation, create sustainable funding streams and deliver better student outcomes.

Today, leaders of higher education institutions and academic medical centers are spending too much time reacting to market forces, rather than focusing on the essential priorities that help students, faculty and staff thrive. The most productive path forward requires an intentional approach and innovative thinking, whereby stakeholders across the entire institution rally around a shared vision and embrace the hard work of effecting change.

You'll help our clients to achieve organizational effectiveness, improve student outcomes, implement new technologies and align resources and investments to ensure long-term sustainability.

Join our team as the expert you are now and create your future.

The Lead Platform Engineer is a Manager-level role responsible for leading the architecture, deployment, and operationalisation of Huron's AI, Microsoft Fabric, and workflow platforms. Responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the core platforms and tooling that power our Managed Services delivery across 50+ clients. This role sits at the intersection of platform engineering, client deployment, and AI workflow development, serving as a key technical owner for our internal tooling ecosystem.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience across modern DevOps toolchains, CRM and workflow platforms, cloud data environments, and emerging AI technologies. They are comfortable operating independently within a fast-paced professional services environment while collaborating with internal stakeholders, development teams, and client organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the architecture, configuration, standardization, and ongoing administration of internal Azure DevOps (ADO) environments used to manage work across multiple client engagements.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Huron Corporate Salesforce Development Team, coordinating requirements gathering, backlog prioritization, sprint planning input, user acceptance testing (UAT), and deployment activities for enhancements to the Salesforce workflow platform supporting Managed Services delivery.
• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of internal AI-powered solutions and Claude AI projects, including prompt workflows, automation pipelines, prototypes, and scalable processes that embed AI capabilities into day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate client onboarding and implementation activities related to Microsoft Fabric deployments, partnering with client IT and data teams to configure environments, establish reporting foundations, and support data integration requirements.
• Collaborate with platform, analytics, and reporting resources to provide technical architecture guidance, review Power BI data models, and assess dependencies across reporting and data pipeline solutions.
• Support the expansion of Managed Services operational processes into Salesforce and other enterprise platforms, helping define workflows, coordinate deployments, and document implementation approaches.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, platform standards, operational runbooks, and knowledge-sharing materials that support consistency, scalability, and operational resilience across the Managed Services organization.
• Participate in the internal Tech Committee, providing senior technical leadership, evaluating emerging technologies, and mentoring team members on platform engineering and automation best practices.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a platform engineering, DevOps, cloud operations, or technical systems role, preferably within a professional services, consulting, or managed services environment.
• Hands-on experience administering Azure DevOps (ADO), including pipeline configuration, work item management, governance, reporting, and multi-project administration.
• Working knowledge of Salesforce administration, platform capabilities, or development coordination, including experience managing enhancement requests and collaborating with development teams.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Fabric or related cloud data platforms such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Databricks, or similar technologies, including implementation or client onboarding activities.
• Experience designing or supporting AI and large language model (LLM) solutions, including prompt engineering, workflow automation, AI tool adoption, or integrations leveraging Claude, OpenAI, or comparable platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for business stakeholders, end users, and client teams.
• Experience managing multiple p