Neural Network Architect

Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC); Portland (OR); On-site; USD 135,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Castparts Corp. seeks a Neural Network Architect to lead a unified data and AI infrastructure uniting ERP, shop floor systems, LIMS, and CRM. The role emphasizes scalable design, production ML deployment, and cross‑functional governance across IT, OT, and finance.

The candidate will build data pipelines, establish security and governance, and mentor engineers while guiding architecture strategy for ROI and rapid AI adoption in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or ML/AI engineering with 3+ years on industrial data
• Experience deploying ML models in production (not only research)
• Hands-on integration of ERP, MES/historian, LIMS, and CRM systems is highly valued
• Strong data engineering skills: SQL, Python, data pipelines, and cloud/on‑prem platforms
• Understanding of OT/IT integration and industrial control systems (SCADA/PLC) basics

Responsibilities

• Architect a scalable data platform integrating ERP, shop floor, LIMS, cost systems, and CRM
• Design and deploy neural network and ML models on unified data infrastructure
• Establish data governance, security, and access controls across departments
• Lead cross-functional collaboration, mentor engineers, and document architecture decisions
• Advise on trade-offs, build-vs-buy decisions, and ROI sequencing

Skills

Data architecture

Data engineering

ML/AI engineering

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

SQL

Python

Airflow

dbt

Kafka

Azure

AWS

GCP

Snowflake

Databricks

Job description

Job Description

About the Role

We are building a new AI function to modernize how our metals operations generate, connect, and act on data. The Neural Network Architect will lead the design and implementation of a unified data and AI infrastructure that links our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), shop floor process/control systems (SCADA, PLC, MES/historian data), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), cost accounting systems, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms into a single, coherent architecture.

This is a foundational, cross-functional role. The person in this seat will not just design neural network models, but they will architect the data backbone that makes reliable, production-grade AI possible across the enterprise: from predictive quality control and yield optimization on the shop floor, to demand forecasting that links CRM and production data, to cost-to-serve models that tie financials to real-time operations.

SCOPE:

While "Neural Network Architect" is the title, this role is as much about systems integration, data engineering, and information architecture as it is about neural network design. Candidates should be equally comfortable designing a data pipeline between a PLC historian and an ERP as they are designing or evaluating a deep learning model. We are not looking for a pure research scientist, rather we are looking for someone who can turn fragmented industrial data into an infrastructure that AI systems (including neural networks) can reliably run on.

Key Responsibilities

Unified Infrastructure Design

• Architect a scalable, secure data platform that integrates ERP, shop floor/process control systems, LIMS, cost/financial systems, and CRM into a shared data layer.
• Define data models & schemes to link above data with data security and pathways for statistical models to be integrated
• Establish real-time and batch data pipelines connecting operational technology (OT) systems on the shop floor with information technology (IT) systems (ERP, CRM, finance).

Neural Network & AI Model Development

• Design, train, and deploy neural network and other ML models on top of the unified data infrastructure for use cases such as predictive maintenance, quality/defect prediction, yield optimization, demand forecasting, and cost anomaly detection.
• Evaluate where deep learning is the right tool versus simpler statistical or rules-based approaches, given industrial data constraints (sparsity, sensor noise, labeling challenges).
• Build MLOps practices for model versioning, monitoring, and retraining as plant and market conditions evolve.

Systems Integration & Governance

• Partner with IT, OT/automation engineers, lab managers, finance, and sales operations to map data sources, ownership, and access rules across departments.
• Establish data governance standards: data quality, lineage, security, and access control across sensitive systems (cost data, customer data, process parameters).
• Select and implement integration tooling (APIs, middleware, historians, data buses) appropriate for connecting legacy industrial systems with modern cloud/on-prem AI infrastructure.

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the technical authority on how AI infrastructure should be built as the company's AI department scales.
• Advise leadership on architecture trade-offs, build-vs-buy decisions, and sequencing of integration work (e.g., which systems to connect first for fastest ROI).
• Document architecture decisions and mentor future data engineers/ML engineers hired into the department.

## Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field (PhD a plus but not required).
• 7+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or ML/AI engineering, including at least 3 years working with industrial or manufacturing data (OT/IT integration experience strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying neural networks or other ML models in production (not just research/prototype settings).
• Hands-on experience integrating disparate enterprise systems a" direct experience with ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, Infor, etc.), MES/historian systems (e.g., OSIsoft PI, Ignition, Wonderware), and CRM platforms (Salesforce, Dynamics, etc.) is highly valued.
• Strong data engineering skills: SQL, Python, data pipeline tools (Airflow, dbt, Kafka, or similar), and cloud or on-prem data platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP, Snowflake, Databricks).
• Working knowledge of ML/DL frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) and MLOps tooling.
• Understanding of industrial control systems architecture (SCADA, PLC, Purdue Model / ISA-95 levels) and the security considerations of bridging OT and IT networks.

## Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in metals, mining, or heavy manufacturing industries.
• Familiarity with LIMS platforms and quality/metallurgical data structures (chemistry, mechanical properties, heat treatment data).
• Experience with cost accounting or ERP-based financial data models (standard costing, activity-based costing).
• Experience building a data/AI function from the ground up in a traditionally non-digital organization.
• Knowledge of relevant industrial data standards (ISA-95, MTConnect, OPC UA).

Success Metrics for This Role (First 18 Months)

• A functioning, documented unified data architecture connecting at least ERP + shop floor + LIMS as a first milestone, with CRM and cost systems integrated in subsequent phases.
• At least one production AI/ML use case (e.g., a quality prediction or yield model) running on top of the new infrastructure.
• Clear data governance and access framework adopted across departments.
• A scalable foundation that allows the AI department to add additional models and use cases without re-architecting from scratch.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

For informational purposes only, the range of pay for this role is $135,000 to $168,000 US Dollar (USD) Salaried based on a variety of factors. For informational purposes only, this role is eligible to participate in the Company's Quarterly Cash Bonus Plan, paid out at the quarterly bonus factor of 2.5X the Company's bonus multiple, based on the Company's performance in the applicable quarter. Employees will receive 120 hours paid time off every year. Employees will also receive 10 paid holidays. Employees (and their families) are eligible to participate in the company's medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Company's 401(k) plan.

This position requires use of information or access to production processes subject to national security controls under U.S. export control laws and regulations (including, but not limited to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)). To comply with those regulations, this position may require applicants to be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Company Profile

With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability - not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.

PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.

In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.

Precision Castparts Corp. and its affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited resumes will become the property of Precision Castparts Corp & its affiliates, and no fee will be paid.