Senior AI Solution Architect

IBM; New York (NY); Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Consulting is seeking a senior Azure AI Architect to lead architectural vision for AI engagements, spanning Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and enterprise data platforms. You will guide design decisions, run workshops, and partner with clients at C-level to align AI initiatives with business value.

This role emphasizes governance, security, and measurable ROI, with responsibilities across data governance, responsible AI, and scalable cloud-native architectures.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, with 3+ years focused on AI/ML solutions
• Deep, hands-on expertise with Azure AI services including Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure AI Studio
• Proven track record defining and governing end-to-end AI architectures at enterprise scale
• Strong grounding in enterprise data platforms, cloud-native design principles, and integration architecture
• Experience in a client-facing consulting or professional services environment with direct executive stakeholder engagement
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills - able to lead design sessions and present recommendations with confidence

Responsibilities

• Set the architectural vision and direction for AI engagements, establishing design standards and reusable patterns that elevate the quality and speed of delivery
• Lead architecture design workshops and strategy sessions with client stakeholders, including executive and technical audiences
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on Azure AI capabilities, use case prioritization, and technology roadmap development
• Mentor delivery team members and contribute to practice development through knowledge sharing and asset creation
• Define and govern complete Azure AI architectures spanning Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and enterprise data platforms
• Design solutions that are scalable, secure, cost-optimized, and aligned to enterprise architecture standards from inception
• Map AI use cases to measurable business value, ensuring that prioritization decisions are grounded in ROI and strategic fit
• Develop reference architectures, integration patterns, and technical blueprints that accelerate delivery across the engagement
• Embed responsible AI practices, data governance, and compliance requirements into every architectural decision
• Define guardrails, monitoring standards, and audit frameworks to ensure AI solutions are observable, trustworthy, and maintainable at scale
• Ensure alignment with enterprise security posture including identity, access management, data residency, and regulatory requirements
• Establish operating model standards for AI deployment, support, and lifecycle management across the platform
• Engage directly and continuously with client stakeholders, translating complex technical architecture into clear business terms
• Collaborate across data engineering, application, and business teams to drive seamless end-to-end delivery
• Identify and manage technical risks proactively, surfacing tradeoffs and recommended mitigations clearly and early

Skills

AI/ML solutions

Azure AI services

Executive stakeholder engagement

Communication & facilitation

Enterprise data platforms

Cloud-native design principles

Architectural governance

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

Azure OpenAI Service

Azure Machine Learning

Azure AI Studio

Azure Synapse Analytics

Microsoft Fabric

Azure Data Factory

Job description

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Thought Leadership & Technical Direction

• Set the architectural vision and direction for AI engagements, establishing design standards and reusable patterns that elevate the quality and speed of delivery
• Lead architecture design workshops and strategy sessions with client stakeholders, including executive and technical audiences
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on Azure AI capabilities, use case prioritization, and technology roadmap development
• Mentor delivery team members and contribute to practice development through knowledge sharing and asset creation

End-to-End Azure AI Architecture

• Define and govern complete Azure AI architectures spanning Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and enterprise data platforms
• Design solutions that are scalable, secure, cost-optimized, and aligned to enterprise architecture standards from inception
• Map AI use cases to measurable business value, ensuring that prioritization decisions are grounded in ROI and strategic fit
• Develop reference architectures, integration patterns, and technical blueprints that accelerate delivery across the engagement

Governance, Security & Enterprise Standards

• Embed responsible AI practices, data governance, and compliance requirements into every architectural decision
• Define guardrails, monitoring standards, and audit frameworks to ensure AI solutions are observable, trustworthy, and maintainable at scale
• Ensure alignment with enterprise security posture including identity, access management, data residency, and regulatory requirements
• Establish operating model standards for AI deployment, support, and lifecycle management across the platform

Client Engagement & Delivery

• Engage directly and continuously with client stakeholders, translating complex technical architecture into clear business terms
• Collaborate across data engineering, application, and business teams to drive seamless end-to-end delivery
• Identify and manage technical risks proactively, surfacing tradeoffs and recommended mitigations clearly and early

This job can be performed from anywhere in the U.S.

Preferred Education

Master's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, with 3+ years focused on AI/ML solutions
• Deep, hands-on expertise with Azure AI services including Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure AI Studio
• Proven track record defining and governing end-to-end AI architectures at enterprise scale
• Strong grounding in enterprise data platforms, cloud-native design principles, and integration architecture
• Experience in a client-facing consulting or professional services environment with direct executive stakeholder engagement
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills - able to lead design sessions and present recommendations with confidence

Preferred Skills

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Experience with agentic AI frameworks (LangChain, AutoGen, Semantic Kernel) and RAG pipeline design
• Familiarity with Azure data services including Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Factory
• Knowledge of AI governance frameworks, responsible AI principles, and enterprise risk management practices
• Azure certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Azure AI Engineer Associate