Solutions Architect Data/AI (Pre-Sales)

LaunchCode; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

LaunchCode is seeking a Principal Solution Architect specializing in Data & AI to guide enterprise clients through Azure-based transformations. This client-facing role blends deep technical architecture with strategic business outcomes and consultative selling.

The ideal candidate will engage with CIOs/CTOs, design scalable data platforms, and lead workshops and PoCs to win large engagements. Prior pre-sales leadership in Azure/Data AI is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in enterprise data platforms and AI solutions.
• Strong Azure Data & AI technical background and architecture skills.
• Experience influencing executive stakeholders and guiding pre-sales.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical discovery sessions with enterprise clients to understand data challenges and AI opportunities.
• Design enterprise-scale Data & AI solutions on Azure and present to executives.
• Collaborate with sales to develop proposals, statements of work, and technical wins.
• Mentor architects and develop reusable technical assets and accelerators.

Skills

Azure Data & AI

Pre-sales leadership

Enterprise architecture

Data engineering

Machine Learning / AI

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Azure Databricks

Azure Synapse

Azure Data Factory

Power BI

Microsoft Purview

Job description

Brief Description

Our company partner is seeking an accomplished Principal Solution Architect specializing in Data & AI to help enterprise clients transform their businesses through Microsoft Azure, advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This is a highly visible, client-facing pre-sales leadership position combining deep technical expertise with business strategy, solution architecture, and consultative selling. The ideal candidate is a trusted technical advisor who can engage with C-level executives, understand complex business challenges, and translate those needs into innovative, scalable Data & AI solutions. This individual will partner closely with sales, engineering, and delivery teams to shape opportunities, develop compelling technical solutions, and help win large-scale enterprise engagements.

Job Type

Direct hire

Company

The name of our partner organization will be disclosed during the interview process. This is not a direct role with LaunchCode; it is a position through LaunchCode, working with one of our partner companies.

Disclaimer

We are unable to provide work sponsorship for this role. We are unable to consider candidates for this role who have a current or future work sponsorship need (this includes those holding extended OPT Visas).

Pre-Sales & Solution Architecture

• Lead technical discovery sessions with enterprise clients to understand business objectives, data challenges, and AI opportunities.
• Design and present enterprise-scale Data & AI solutions leveraging Microsoft Azure technologies.
• Partner with sales executives to develop technical strategies, proposals, statements of work, and solution presentations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and other senior business and technology leaders.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear business value, measurable outcomes, and return on investment.
• Lead technical workshops, architecture discussions, demonstrations, and proof-of-concept engagements.
• Support opportunity qualification, solution scoping, effort estimation, and technical deal strategy.

Data, Analytics & AI Architecture

• Architect modern cloud-based data platforms, analytics ecosystems, and AI/ML solutions.
• Design solutions involving enterprise data integration, data engineering, data warehousing, and advanced analytics.
• Develop AI strategies incorporating machine learning, generative AI, and intelligent automation.
• Recommend scalable, secure, and cost-effective Azure architectures.
• Provide architectural guidance on data governance, security, performance, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to ensure proposed solutions are technically feasible and aligned with client requirements.

Technical Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a senior technical leader throughout the sales lifecycle.
• Build strong relationships with Microsoft, enterprise customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Help identify new Data & AI consulting opportunities within existing and prospective accounts.
• Stay current with emerging Microsoft Azure technologies, AI capabilities, and industry trends.
• Mentor solution architects and contribute to the development of reusable architectures, technical assets, and sales accelerators.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience in enterprise solution architecture, cloud consulting, data engineering, analytics, or AI/ML.
• Strong hands-on technical background in Microsoft Azure Data & AI technologies.
• Demonstrated experience designing complex enterprise data platforms and AI solutions.
• Deep understanding of machine learning, data science, modern data architectures, and cloud-based analytics.
• Experience supporting pre-sales engagements, technical discovery, solution demonstrations, and enterprise proposals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both senior technical stakeholders and executive business leaders.
• Strong consultative selling, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating with sales teams to develop solutions and win enterprise business.
• Ability to balance technical depth with commercial considerations, delivery feasibility, and business value.

Microsoft Azure & Data Platforms

• Azure Databricks
• Microsoft Fabric
• Azure Synapse Analytics
• Azure Data Factory
• Azure Data Lake Storage
• Azure SQL
• Microsoft Purview

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Azure AI Foundry
• Azure Machine Learning
• Azure OpenAI
• Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• AI agents and agentic workflows
• MLOps and responsible AI practices

Data Engineering & Analytics

• Python and SQL
• Apache Spark / PySpark
• Data pipelines and ETL/ELT
• Data modeling and lakehouse architectures
• Enterprise data governance and security
• Power BI and business intelligence

The Strongest Candidates Will Combine Three Critical Strengths

• Deep technical expertise: A proven background designing enterprise-scale Azure Data & AI solutions, including modern data platforms, machine learning, and generative AI.
• Pre-sales experience: The ability to lead technical discovery, influence executive stakeholders, develop solutions, and help close complex consulting engagements.
• Business acumen: A consultative mindset with the ability to connect technology investments to measurable business outcomes.

Ideal backgrounds include Principal Solution Architect, Data & AI Solutions Architect, Azure AI Architect, Cloud Solution Architect, or Data & AI Consulting Architect.

Experience with Microsoft, Azure-focused consulting firms, or major technology consulting organizations would be especially relevant.