Senior Director, AI Architecture & Platform Engineering

Acosta Sales & Marketing; Oak Brook, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group seeks a Senior Director of AI Architecture & Platform Engineering to define and scale its enterprise AI architecture and platform engineering capabilities. This leader will own the technical foundation for AI solutions, agents, copilots, and secure platform operations across multiple teams and domains.

The role drives governance, reusable services, and production-grade components, with focus on MLOps, observability, and secure, interoperable AI delivery using Azure, Kubernetes, and

Qualifications

• 15+ years technology leadership experience across software engineering, platform engineering, cloud, data, AI/ML, or enterprise tech.
• 7+ years leading large-scale engineering teams responsible for platform engineering, AI/ML, cloud platforms, data platforms, or enterprise software products.
• Proven experience building and scaling enterprise platforms with reusable services, APIs, tooling, and production-grade systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and own Acosta Group's enterprise AI reference architecture across GenAI, agents, RAG, and enterprise AI applications.
• Build and scale enterprise AI platform engineering capabilities, including reusable services, APIs, and production-grade components.
• Lead design and delivery of production AI solutions at scale, including GenAI apps and intelligent automation.
• Establish guardrails, reference implementations, and developer-ready patterns for secure, scalable AI delivery.
• Define MLOps, LLMOps, observability, lifecycle management, and CI/CD for enterprise AI systems.
• Influence stakeholders to ensure reuse, interoperability, and cost optimization across the organization.

Skills

Technology leadership

Platform engineering

Cloud architecture

GenAI / AI/ML

Executive communication

Enterprise software

Tools

Azure

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Job description

DESCRIPTION

The Senior Director, AI Architecture & Platform Engineering will define, build, and scale Acosta Group's enterprise AI architecture and platform engineering capability. This leader will own the technical foundation for AI solutions, agents, copilots, intelligent workflows, model lifecycle management, observability, integration, reusable services, and secure platform operations.

The role supports the AI CoE operating model of central guardrails, federated execution, and portfolio-driven scaling by ensuring AI solutions are built as reusable, governed, production-ready enterprise capabilities rather than disconnected pilots or vendor-specific implementations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and own Acosta Group's enterprise AI reference architecture across traditional AI, GenAI, agentic AI, copilots, RAG, orchestration, workflow automation, and AI-enabled enterprise applications.
• Build and scale enterprise AI platform engineering capabilities, including reusable services, shared APIs, integration frameworks, orchestration patterns, developer tooling, templates, and production-grade platform components used across multiple teams and business domains.
• Lead the design and delivery of production AI solutions at scale, including GenAI applications, agentic workflows, AI copilots, intelligent automation, and enterprise AI products that move beyond pilots and proofs of concept.
• Establish enterprise engineering standards, platform guardrails, reference implementations, reusable accelerators, and developer-ready patterns that enable secure, scalable, interoperable, and cost-effective AI delivery.
• Define and mature MLOps, LLMOps, ModelOps, observability, evaluation, lifecycle management, platform reliability, security, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and production support practices for enterprise AI systems.
• Guide the use of modern AI, cloud, and data ecosystems including Azure, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Fabric, Kubernetes, APIs, and enterprise integration patterns to support reusable and governed AI capabilities.
• Provide senior technical leadership to transformation programs, business-unit AI initiatives, internal engineering teams, and delivery partners to ensure reuse, interoperability, scalability, security, production readiness, and alignment with the AI CoE operating model.
• Influence executive and senior technology stakeholders by evaluating emerging technologies, challenging architectural decisions, and making transparent trade-offs across scalability, risk, performance, cost, speed, and business value.
• Partner with AI Governance, Cybersecurity, Data, Technology, Responsible AI, and business leaders to embed governance, security, compliance, responsible AI controls, and cost optimization directly into AI engineering workflows and platform services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15 or more years of progressive technology leadership experience across software engineering, platform engineering, cloud, data, AI/ML, digital products, or enterprise technology organizations.
• 7 or more years leading large-scale engineering teams responsible for platform engineering, AI/ML engineering, cloud platforms, data platforms, enterprise software products, or related production technology capabilities.
• Proven experience building and scaling enterprise platforms including reusable services, shared capabilities, APIs, integration frameworks, developer tooling, and production-grade systems used across multiple teams or business domains.
• Hands-on experience delivering production AI solutions at scale, including Generative AI, agentic AI, AI copilots, intelligent automation, and enterprise AI applications beyond pilots and proofs of concept.
• Deep technical expertise in AI architecture, GenAI, agentic AI, RAG, orchestration frameworks, APIs, cloud-native architecture, MLOps/LLMOps, observability, platform reliability, security, and enterprise data platforms.
• Strong experience with modern AI and cloud ecosystems, including Azure, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Fabric, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and enterprise integration patterns.
• Proven ability to define enterprise AI reference architectures, engineering standards, and platform guardrails that enable scalability, security, reuse, interoperability, cost optimization, and production readiness across the organization.
• Executive-level technical leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, challenge architectural decisions, evaluate emerging technologies, and make complex trade-offs across scalability, risk, performance, cost, and business value.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes, strategic decisions, and enterprise transformation impact.
• Preferred experience building enterprise AI, cloud, or data platforms within Fortune 500, technology, SaaS, hyperscaler, or AI-native organizations.
• Preferred experience leading enterprise-scale AI transformation initiatives that balance centralized governance with federated delivery and adoption.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment weighing less than 15 pounds. This position involves viewing a computer monitor for more than 30% of the time. Personal protective equipment may need to be worn. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT US

Acosta Group is a collective uniting the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies-Acosta, ActionLink, CORE Foodservice, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections. Together, we connect consumers with the brands they love through omnichannel selling, merchandising, brand advocacy, and integrated marketing.

We recognize our associates are the foundation of our success. That's why we prioritize your growth, development, and well-being to help you reach your full potential. With programs designed to support a fulfilling work-life balance, we offer opportunities that fit your lifestyle and ambitions- whether you're looking for part-time flexibility or full-time career advancement.

Ready for a career path that’s as unique as you? Discover your path at Acosta Group!

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] . Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

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Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Category: Administration

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Corporate

Salary Range: $150000.00 - $215000.00

Company: Acosta Services, Inc

Req ID: 37283

Employer Description: US_ACOSTA_GRP_EMP_DESC