Principal AI software Architect

Vaco LLC; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client seeks a Principal AI Software Architect to lead design and implementation of enterprise AI and software systems. You will shape technical strategy, align AI/ML capabilities with business goals, and guide cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced environment.

You will drive architecture, governance, and implementation of ML pipelines, MLOps, and cloud-native services across Azure, AWS, or GCP, while promoting best practices and security standards.

Qualifications

• Senior/leadership experience in AI software architecture and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead AI-driven platforms and scalable software systems.

Skills

Leadership

AI/ML

Cloud platforms

ML

Deep Learning

NLP

Computer Vision

LLMs

C#/.NET

Python

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

LangChain

Azure AI Services

AWS SageMaker

Docker

Kubernetes

Visual Studio/.NET

Job description

Principal AI Software Architect

Contract-to-Hire | Hybrid (Columbus, OH)

Important: This position requires working onsite in a hybrid capacity in Columbus, Ohio. This opportunity is not open to C2C candidates and does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal AI Software Architect to lead the design, development, and implementation of enterprise-scale artificial intelligence and software engineering solutions. This role combines deep technical expertise in AI/ML technologies with strategic software architecture leadership to drive innovation, scalability, and operational excellence across the organization.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of architecting and delivering AI-powered platforms, establishing engineering best practices, and leading cross-functional teams in the successful execution of complex technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the development of AI-driven platforms and scalable software systems aligned with strategic business objectives.
• Partner with engineering, product, and business stakeholders to identify opportunities and deliver impactful AI and software solutions.
• Evaluate, select, and implement AI technologies, development frameworks, and architectural standards to optimize performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Establish and promote best practices across AI model development, MLOps, software engineering, DevOps, and system architecture.
• Mentor and guide engineering teams while fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Define technical strategy and long‑term architectural roadmaps that support enterprise growth and transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations, security policies, and ethical AI standards.
• Champion engineering quality through code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile delivery methodologies.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated success driving innovation through emerging technologies and modern software development methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills with experience mentoring technical teams.
• Proven experience designing and deploying enterprise-scale AI/ML and software solutions within cloud environments such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Deep expertise in:
  • Machine Learning (ML)
  • Deep Learning
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Computer Vision
  • Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to align technical vision to business outcomes.
• Ability to influence and build consensus across executive leadership, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in software architecture, application development, and enterprise system design.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, privacy regulations, and AI security best practices.
• Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and consultative communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong collaborative mindset with experience working in cross‑functional teams.

Technical Requirements

• Expertise with modern programming languages and frameworks, including .NET/C#, Python, Java, or comparable technologies.
• Experience building cloud‑native applications and microservices architectures.
• Hands‑on experience with AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, LangChain, Azure AI Services, AWS SageMaker, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience implementing MLOps practices, model lifecycle management, and enterprise AI governance.
• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies including Docker and Kubernetes.
• Strong experience with CI/CD automation and DevOps practices.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• 7+ years of experience in software engineering and architecture roles, including enterprise application design and development.
• 2+ years of experience focused on AI/ML systems, generative AI, or intelligent automation initiatives.
• 5+ years of hands‑on development experience using application development tools such as Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET ecosystem.
• 5+ years of experience working with relational database technologies, preferably Microsoft SQL Server.
• Experience leading large‑scale enterprise software and AI transformation initiatives is strongly preferred.

Employment Details

• Location: Columbus, OH
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid
• Position Type: Contract-to-Hire
• Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
• C2C: Not Accepted

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior technology leader to influence enterprise AI strategy, shape next‑generation software solutions, and drive innovation within a highly collaborative environment.