Lead AI Solutions Architect (Lead AI Engineer)

Lead the architecture and delivery of complex AI and automation solutions, from proof of concept to production and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and continuously improve AI, automation, and agentic solutions by setting technical standards and guiding implementation through production deployment.
• Lead enterprise integrations that connect AI-enabled workflows, data services, and systems to business capabilities.
• Own end-to-end technical delivery for AI and automation initiatives, including proof of concept, production rollout, and ongoing support.
• Create reusable reference implementations, components, and engineering patterns for:
  • Knowledge assistants
  • Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) solutions
  • Agents
  • Tool and API integrations
  • Human-in-the-loop controls
  • Citizen developer capabilities
• Define how stand-alone and embedded RPA workflows and AI agents fit into enterprise architecture, and guide engineers on secure, scalable, maintainable designs.
• Lead integrations across enterprise applications, data services, APIs, and approved AI and orchestration platforms.
• Establish and enhance engineering practices for version control, CI/CD, evaluation frameworks, regression testing, and release management for AI, agent, and workflow solutions.
• Define and validate nonfunctional requirements including reliability, scalability, performance, observability, auditability, and supportability.
• Implement approved controls for data access, identity, least-privilege, and governance in partnership with Architecture, Information Security, and Data teams.
• Lead technical design, code, testing, and production-readiness reviews; resolve complex implementation issues and provide escalation support.
• Build operational readiness through monitoring, logging, alerting, operational dashboards, runbooks, and incident response procedures.
• Evaluate AI, automation, and agentic technologies using technical proofs of value and provide recommendations on platform, vendor, and solution approaches.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging AI, automation, and digital transformation technologies.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate delivery across teams while promoting reusable engineering practices that improve quality, consistency, and delivery effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (or equivalent years of experience) required
• 7-10 years of prior relevant experience required
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and deploying in production across one or more areas: traditional AI, ML, generative AI, and agentic AI
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise solution architecture, cloud platforms, systems integration, and distributed application design
• Demonstrated expertise designing API-driven, event-driven, and AI-enabled solutions that meet enterprise scalability, security, and operational effectiveness needs
• Advanced knowledge of generative AI concepts including LLMs, RAG, AI agents, intelligent automation, and RPA platforms, plus orchestration platforms and low-code development technologies
• Strong knowledge of IAM, security architecture, data governance and privacy requirements, and zero-trust principles
• Knowledge of enterprise data architecture, integration patterns, observability frameworks, and operational support considerations
• Ability to evaluate technologies, vendors, and architectural approaches and recommend options that align business needs with enterprise standards
• Ability to establish technical standards, reference architectures, design patterns, and governance practices to support consistency, scalability, and maintainability
• Ability to lead cross-functional solution design, influence technical decisions, and communicate complex architectural concepts and tradeoffs to technical and business stakeholders

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate (AI-103)
• Microsoft Certified: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300)
• Microsoft Certified: AI Agent Builder Associate (AB-620)
• AWS Certified Generative AI Developer – Professional

Technologies

• Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
• RPA (robotic process automation)
• CI/CD
• Large language models (LLMs)
• Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate (AI-103)
• Microsoft Certified: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300)
• AI Agent Builder Associate (AB-620)
• AWS Certified Generative AI Developer – Professional
• Zero-trust principles

Location and Compensation

• Location: Sacramento, CA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 129,880 - 214,303 per year

Additional Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with regulatory compliance and assigned training requirements, including but not limited to BSA regulations corresponding to their specific job duties; failure may result in disciplinary and other employment related actions