Senior Director, AI Systems and Platforms

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe; Alton (IL); On-site; USD 232,000 - 329,000; Full time

Job summary

Edwards Lifesciences Gruppe is seeking an experienced AI/Software Architect to drive the design of reusable, secure AI services and to operate our AI platform as an internal product with defined customers and service levels.

You will chair the AI Center of Excellence, own the reference architecture, and lead cross-functional pods with IT colleagues to deliver scalable AI capabilities while managing platform spend and ensuring reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 12 years of experience in software or AI architecture.
• Minimum 5 years in a formal technical leadership or chief architect role.
• Hands-on fluency with enterprise cloud AI platforms, API design, and observability.
• Experience negotiating internal shared-capacity with IT.

Responsibilities

• Design reusable, secure AI services for internal product teams.
• Operate the AI platform as an internal product with defined customers and SLAs.
• Chair AI Center of Excellence operating cadence.
• Own reference architecture and technical standards across all AI initiatives.
• Build and lead delivery pods with IT engineers under a shared-capacity agreement.
• Manage AI platform estate and vendor spend attribution.
• Ensure production reliability for AI applications.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud AI platforms

MLOps/LLMOps

API design

Observability

Platform governance

Internal IT co-delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree

12+ years software/AI architecture

Job description

Innovation starts from the heart. Our Advanced Innovation & Technology (AI&T) teams harness imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what is currently possible and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you are an early-stage innovator, the Edwards AI&T team is the place for you to take the next step in your career. We will give you the tools and resources you need to create groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of structural heart technology .How you will make an impact:Design reusable, secure, multi-tenant AI services that product and business teams can consume without rebuilding common capabilitiesOperate the AI platform as an internal product with defined customers, roadmap, service levels, adoption measures, and developer experienceChair the operating cadence of the AI Center of ExcellenceOwn build, buy, or rent decisions for AI capabilities, with the authority to stop an internal buildOwn the reference architecture and enforce technical standards across all AI initiativesOwn the AI gateway, model routing, and observability layerBuild and lead delivery pods that include engineers from IT under a formal shared-capacity agreementOwn and rationalize the AI platform estate, including vendor spend attributionOwn production reliability for AI applicationsWhat you'll need (Required):Bachelor's degree plus 12 years of experience in software or AI architecture, including at least 5 years in a formal technical leadership or chief architect capacityExperience negotiating a formal shared-capacity or co-delivery model with an internal IT organizationWhat else we look for (Preferred):AI reference architecture design, platform rationalization, and vendor spend management (FinOps)Hands-on fluency with enterprise cloud AI platforms, API and microservices design, MLOps or LLMOps , observability, and secure production operations; experience with major cloud platforms is illustrative rather than mandatoryPlayer-coach technical leadership: setting direction and writing code or reviewing designs personally, not managing through layersPlatform product management, internal developer-platform design, service-level management, and adoption measurementExperience consolidating a fragmented platform or vendor estateExperience chairing or running a cross-functional technical governance bodyDemonstrated ability to manage one or more teams and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions, hire/fire authority, and partnering with HR on all aspects of employee relationsAbility to interact professionally with all organizational levels and proactively escalate issues to appropriate levels of managementAbility to work and excel within a fast-paced, dynamic, and constantly changing work environmentAbility to ensure team alignment to strategic goals and initiatives through regular communicationAbility to coach and mentor team members, including dotted-line reports as necessary; align team members in roles that best leverage their strengths and support growth and skill diversificationAdhere to all company rules and requirements, including pandemic protocols and Environmental Health & Safety rules; take adequate control measures to prevent injuries to themselves and others, protect the environment, and prevent pollution within their span of influence/controlAligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.For California, the base pay range for this position is $232,000 to $329,000 (highly experienced).The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.