Principal Architect (AI, Security & Emerging Technologies)

Seneca Resources; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Part time

Job summary

Seneca Resources seeks a highly technical Principal Architect (AI, Security & Emerging Technologies) to guide strategy and hands-on implementation. Collaborative across engineering, infrastructure, data, security, and business teams, you will design and drive secure, scalable AI-enabled solutions.

The ideal candidate blends cloud, networking, cybersecurity, software development, and AI expertise with hands-on approach, capable of reviewing code, prototyping, and guiding teams through

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in architecture, software engineering, infrastructure engineering, technology consulting, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple domains: Infrastructure & Platforms, Networking, Cybersecurity, Software Development.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture patterns, APIs, microservices, distributed systems, and cloud-native tech.
• Experience working with development, infrastructure, security, and business stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and consulting skills; ability to influence architecture without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering, infrastructure, security, and business teams to evaluate, design, and refine technology solutions.
• Provide hands-on architectural guidance across applications, infrastructure, cloud, networking, security, and data.
• Identify risks, gaps, and operational considerations; recommend practical, scalable solutions.
• Architect secure, scalable AI-enabled applications and platforms using modern cloud and software practices.
• Design solutions with Generative AI, RAG, agentic AI frameworks, APIs, and intelligent automation.
• Mentor engineers and teams on architecture best practices and emerging technologies.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Infrastructure engineering

Networking

Cybersecurity

Software development

Generative AI

RAG

Zero Trust

Cloud platforms

Python

Terraform

CloudFormation

Bicep

Docker

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Python

Terraform

CloudFormation

Bicep

Docker

Azure OpenAI

AWS Bedrock

Google Vertex AI

Kubernetes

Job description

Position Title: Principal Architect (AI, Security & Emerging Technologies)

Location: Remote or Hybrid in Birmingham, AL

Position Status: Direct hire or long-term contract

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly technical Principal Architect to serve as a trusted advisor and hands-on architect across the organization. We are looking for someone who can work directly with engineering, infrastructure, data, security, and business teams to evaluate, design, and help implement complex technology solutions.

The Principal Architect will partner with teams throughout the organization to review proposed solutions, identify risks, recommend improvements, and help drive successful execution. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in cloud, infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, software development, and AI with the ability to remain hands-on when needed. This individual should be comfortable designing secure AI-enabled applications, reviewing code and architecture patterns, building proof-of-concepts, troubleshooting critical issues, and guiding teams through implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Partner with engineering, infrastructure, security, and business teams to evaluate, design, and refine technology solutions.
• Serve as the senior technical advisor on strategic initiatives, complex projects, and high-impact technology decisions.
• Review solution designs and provide hands-on architectural guidance across applications, infrastructure, cloud platforms, networking, security, and data.
• Identify technical risks, gaps, and operational considerations while recommending practical, scalable solutions.
• Participate in architecture reviews, design sessions, and technical decision-making processes.
• Architect secure, scalable AI-enabled applications and platforms leveraging modern cloud and software development practices.
• Design solutions utilizing Generative AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agentic AI frameworks, APIs, and intelligent automation technologies.
• Collaborate with development teams on application architecture, integration patterns, scalability, observability, and performance optimization.
• Build prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and reference implementations to validate architectural approaches.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance for Python-based solutions, APIs, automation, and AI-enabled workflows.

Infrastructure, Cloud & Security Architecture

• Design and review enterprise infrastructure solutions across cloud, networking, storage, identity, and security domains.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to ensure solutions meet security, compliance, governance, and risk management requirements.
• Guide the implementation of secure architecture patterns including identity management, Zero Trust principles, encryption, network segmentation, and access controls.
• Assist in evaluating new technologies and ensuring solutions align with operational, reliability, and resiliency objectives.
• Support hybrid, multi-cloud, and cloud-native architecture initiatives.

Technical Consulting & Problem Solving

• Act as a consultant and technical authority for challenging architecture, integration, performance, and security-related issues.
• Provide Level 3 technical guidance and support for critical systems and enterprise platforms.
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure, application, cloud, networking, and AI platform challenges.
• Work closely with project teams throughout the solution lifecycle from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate across infrastructure, software engineering, security, data, and business teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Mentor engineers, architects, and technical teams on architecture best practices and emerging technologies.
• Share knowledge through technical reviews, workshops, training, and architecture discussions.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, engineering excellence, and secure design.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in architecture, software engineering, infrastructure engineering, technology consulting, or related technical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple technology domains, including:
• Infrastructure & Platforms
• Networking
• Cybersecurity
• Software Development
• Experience designing enterprise-scale solutions and guiding implementation teams.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture patterns, APIs, microservices, distributed systems, and cloud-native technologies.
• Experience working directly with development, infrastructure, security, and business stakeholders.
• Strong communication and consulting skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and influence architecture decisions without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Principal Architect, Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect, Cloud Architect, Infrastructure Architect, Security Architect, or Principal Consultant.
• Hands-on experience with Python and modern software development practices.
• Experience designing and deploying production AI solutions, including:
• Generative AI
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• AI Orchestration Frameworks
• Multi-Agent Systems
• AI Governance and Security Controls
• Experience with Azure OpenAI, AWS Bedrock, Google Vertex AI, Anthropic Claude, or similar enterprise AI platforms.
• Strong knowledge of identity management, Zero Trust architecture, application security, API security, and secure system design.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, and/or Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, Bicep, etc.).
• Knowledge of DevOps and Platform Engineering practices including:
• CI/CD
• Docker
• GitOps
• Observability and Monitoring
• Experience supporting highly regulated environments such as financial services, healthcare, insurance, or government.
• Experience building proof-of-concepts, automation solutions, and production-grade cloud applications.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will become the technical expert that teams seek out for guidance on their most challenging initiatives. You will help shape solutions without becoming disconnected from implementation, balancing architecture leadership with hands-on technical contribution. You will be equally comfortable discussing architecture with senior leadership, reviewing a team's proposed design, troubleshooting a production issue, or helping engineers build a secure AI-enabled solution from the ground up.

About Seneca Resources:

At Seneca Resources, we are more than just a staffing and consulting firm, we are a trusted career partner. With offices across the U.S. and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations, we provide opportunities that help professionals grow their careers while making an impact.

When you work with Seneca, you're choosing a company that invests in your success, celebrates your achievements, and connects you to meaningful work with leading organizations nationwide. We take the time to understand your goals and match you with roles that align with your skills and career path. Our consultants and contractors enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and the support of a dedicated team who will advocate for you every step of the way.