Solutions Architect, AI Systems

Viral Nation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Viral Nation is seeking a Solutions Architect, AI Systems in Chicago to own end-to-end AI and data solutions from business scope to a production-ready system. You will design the architecture and ship the first working version yourself, touching code, models, and pipelines on our proprietary data platform.

You’ll work with Data Engineering and AI teams to ensure data quality, deploy practical AI methods, and build internal tools that empower non-technical teams while continually improving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in Solutions Architecture, Applied AI/ML Engineering, or Data Engineering with shipped software.
• Proficient in Python and SQL; able to deploy production-grade code.
• Experience deploying models on Snowflake or BigQuery.
• Familiar with LLMs, embeddings, and applied AI methods.
• BI tools fluency (Sigma, Tableau, Looker, Power BI) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Scope AI and data solutions from business problems to technical plans.
• Design the system and ship the first working version yourself.
• Build and deploy tools, models, and internal products on our data infra (Snowflake/BigQuery).
• Write and maintain code (Python, SQL, APIs) to operationalize models and pipelines.
• Deploy AI methods (LLMs, embeddings, predictive modeling) as real features.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering and AI teams to maintain data quality.
• Build internal enablement tools for non-technical teams.
• Own solutions post-launch and monitor usage for improvements.

Skills

Python

SQL

AI/ML engineering

Data pipelines

Cloud data platforms

LLMs / embeddings

Production deployment

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Snowflake

BigQuery

Sigma

Tableau

Looker

Power BI

Job description

At Viral Nation, we specialize in building social-first ecosystems for brands to connect with the modern consumer journey. Our integrated solutions align strategy, talent, media, and technology with culturally relevant creativity to scale the world’s fastest-growing digital brands. Viral Nation offers a fluid, creative, and growth-oriented environment that will support your ambitions to apply your talents in an open, collaborative, and fast-paced culture. Our ability to stay at the forefront of the industry has fuelled our success and will guide us in paving the path forward. We’re driven to push boundaries and think beyond today to deliver strategies, and we’re just getting started.

While we continuously exceed our goals, we need your help – our success is only as great as our people. Strong performance leads to high expectations, and we must keep raising the bar!

We have one of the largest and most advanced proprietary data infrastructures in the world, spanning social, customer, and sourced datasets. The next step is turning that data into scalable, AI-driven products — not just models and dashboards, but working software that ships.

We're seeking a Solutions Architect, AI Systems who owns a problem end to end: scopes it with the business, designs the system, and then builds the first working version themselves. This is a builder's role. You architect the solution and you ship it — the two don't get handed off between different people.

What You'll Do Here:

• Partner with executive, strategy, and client teams to scope AI and data solutions from an ambiguous business problem to a concrete technical plan.
• Design the system, then build and ship the first working version yourself — architecture and delivery sit with the same person.
• Build and deploy functional tools, models, and internal products on our proprietary data infrastructure (Snowflake, BigQuery) — not dashboards alone.
• Write and maintain working code (Python, SQL, APIs) to operationalize models and pipelines — doesn't need to be enterprise-grade, needs to run.
• Deploy applied AI methods — LLMs, embeddings, predictive modeling — as real, working features, not proofs of concept that stall at the deck stage.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering and AI teams to keep infrastructure aligned and data quality high as you build.
• Build internal enablement tools that let non-technical teams use and scale what you've shipped.
• Own your solutions past launch — monitor real usage, iterate, and improve.

You'll Need To Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating technical excellence and business fluency.
• 5+ years in Solutions Architecture, Applied AI/ML Engineering, or Data Engineering, with a track record of shipped, working software — not just designs, specs, or dashboards.
• Proficient in Python (or a comparable language) and SQL; comfortable writing and deploying code that runs in production, even if it isn't polished.
• Experience building and deploying models, pipelines, or applications on cloud data platforms such as Snowflake or BigQuery.
• Working knowledge of LLMs, embeddings, and applied AI methods, with real experience shipping them into working tools.
• BI tool fluency (Sigma, Tableau, Looker, Power BI) is a plus — not a substitute for engineering ability.
• Product mindset — comfortable owning a problem from an ambiguous ask through to a deployed, working solution.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving problem spaces without a large team around you.
• Background in marketing, the creator economy, or social intelligence is a strong asset.
• Please include a link to something you've built and shipped — a repo, a deployed app, or a demo — with your application.

Compensation Philosophy:

At Viral Nation, compensation is structured, performance-led, and market-aligned. Pay decisions are intentional, based on role requirements, performance, and market alignment by country, and are set to maintain internal pay equity across comparable roles and levels. Compensation progression is tied to demonstrated performance, expanded scope, and sustained contribution over time, not tenure alone. Employee compensation is reviewed regularly through formal performance reviews and check-ins to ensure alignment with role expectations and impact.

AI in Recruitment:

Viral Nation does not use AI-enabled tools to screen, assess, rank, or select candidates – our hiring teams make all hiring decisions. AI note-taking tools may be used during interviews.

DEI Commitment:

Viral Nation is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our agency. Viral Nation welcomes applications from people with visible and non-visible disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruiting and selection process.

At Viral Nation, we specialize in building social-first ecosystems for brands to connect with the modern consumer journey. Our integrated solutions align strategy, talent, media, and technology with culturally relevant creativity to scale the world’s fastest-growing digital brands. Viral Nation offers a fluid, creative, and growth-oriented environment that will support your ambitions to apply your talents in an open, collaborative, and fast-paced culture. Our ability to stay at the forefront of the industry has fuelled our success and will guide us in paving the path forward. We’re driven to push boundaries and think beyond today to deliver strategies, and we’re just getting started.

While we continuously exceed our goals, we need your help – our success is only as great as our people. Strong performance leads to high expectations, and we must keep raising the bar!

We have one of the largest and most advanced proprietary data infrastructures in the world, spanning social, customer, and sourced datasets. The next step is turning that data into scalable, AI-driven products — not just models and dashboards, but working software that ships.

We're seeking a Solutions Architect, AI Systems who owns a problem end to end: scopes it with the business, designs the system, and then builds the first working version themselves. This is a builder's role. You architect the solution and you ship it — the two don't get handed off between different people.

What You'll Do Here:

• Partner with executive, strategy, and client teams to scope AI and data solutions from an ambiguous business problem to a concrete technical plan.
• Design the system, then build and ship the first working version yourself — architecture and delivery sit with the same person.
• Build and deploy functional tools, models, and internal products on our proprietary data infrastructure (Snowflake, BigQuery) — not dashboards alone.
• Write and maintain working code (Python, SQL, APIs) to operationalize models and pipelines — doesn't need to be enterprise-grade, needs to run.
• Deploy applied AI methods — LLMs, embeddings, predictive modeling — as real, working features, not proofs of concept that stall at the deck stage.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering and AI teams to keep infrastructure aligned and data quality high as you build.
• Build internal enablement tools that let non-technical teams use and scale what you've shipped.
• Own your solutions past launch — monitor real usage, iterate, and improve.

You'll Need To Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent experience demonstrating technical excellence and business fluency.
• 5+ years in Solutions Architecture, Applied AI/ML Engineering, or Data Engineering, with a track record of shipped, working software — not just designs, specs, or dashboards.
• Proficient in Python (or a comparable language) and SQL; comfortable writing and deploying code that runs in production, even if it isn't polished.
• Experience building and deploying models, pipelines, or applications on cloud data platforms such as Snowflake or BigQuery.
• Working knowledge of LLMs, embeddings, and applied AI methods, with real experience shipping them into working tools.
• BI tool fluency (Sigma, Tableau, Looker, Power BI) is a plus — not a substitute for engineering ability.
• Product mindset — comfortable owning a problem from an ambiguous ask through to a deployed, working solution.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving problem spaces without a large team around you.
• Background in marketing, the creator economy, or social intelligence is a strong asset.
• Please include a link to something you've built and shipped — a repo, a deployed app, or a demo — with your application.

Compensation Philosophy:

At Viral Nation, compensation is structured, performance-led, and market-aligned. Pay decisions are intentional, based on role requirements, performance, and market alignment by country, and are set to maintain internal pay equity across comparable roles and levels. Compensation progression is tied to demonstrated performance, expanded scope, and sustained contribution over time, not tenure alone. Employee compensation is reviewed regularly through formal performance reviews and check-ins to ensure alignment with role expectations and impact.

AI in Recruitment:

Viral Nation does not use AI-enabled tools to screen, assess, rank, or select candidates – our hiring teams make all hiring decisions. AI note-taking tools may be used during interviews.

DEI Commitment:

Viral Nation is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our agency. Viral Nation welcomes applications from people with visible and non-visible disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruiting and selection process.