Principal AI Architect (RapidScale)

At RapidScale, we believe that exceptional technology is driven by exceptional humans. As a rapidly growing leader in providing innovative and secure managed cloud solutions, we're part of the Cox family of businesses, known for best-in-class benefits, work-life balance, and an award-winning workplace culture. Join us as we build the future of cloud-native software development and application modernization.
We are seeking a visionary Principal AI Architect to lead and build our Cloud Native Development and Modernization Practice. This high-impact role offers significant growth potential, including the opportunity to evolve into a practice leader. You'll guide clients through the transformation of legacy architectures into modern, cloud-native solutions. Strong communication skills, including delivering technical presentations and creating client documentation, will be key as you translate complex solutions into business outcomes. Your proven problem-solving abilities and experience tackling technical challenges in fast-paced environments will drive innovation and ensure client success. Your leadership and client-facing expertise will be essential as we develop this practice.
What You'll Do:
Leadership & Strategy

• Build and lead a high-performing AI/ML practice, scaling a team of engineers and architects with potential for middle management roles.
• Mentor and develop technical talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Play a pivotal role in practice growth, contributing to both technical delivery and business development initiatives.

Architecture & Delivery

• Serve as a hands-on architect, designing scalable AI/ML solutions and providing technical leadership across projects.
• Lead the design and implementation of data pipelines, machine learning models, and real-time decision-making systems.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of AI/ML solutions, including discovery, proof of concept (PoC), deployment, and optimization.
• Collaborate with cloud architecture and engineering teams to deliver integrated AI/ML solutions within larger transformation initiatives.

Client Engagement

• Partner with sales teams as a technical expert during pre-sales activities, including presentations and proposal development.
• Conduct in-depth discovery sessions to understand client requirements, define technical solutions, and articulate business value.
• Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert (SME) for client stakeholders, providing thought leadership and best practices.

Thought Leadership

• Stay at the forefront of AI/ML trends, evaluating new technologies and contributing to the organization's technical knowledge base.
• Represent RapidScale at industry events and conferences, establishing a market presence for the AI/ML practice.

What You Bring:
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years' experience in Software Architect/Engineer roles OR a Master's degree and 8 years' experience Software Architect/Engineer roles OR a Ph.D. and 5 years' experience in Software Architect/Engineer roles OR 14 years' experience in Software Architect/Engineer roles.
• 3 years of experience managing teams of architects and engineers, including responsibility for conducting technical interviews, assigning tasks, and ensuring the successful delivery of project milestones and deliverables.
• Demonstrated expertise in machine learning, deep learning, and Generative AI, with hands-on experience building and deploying models at scale.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL, with experience in additional languages (e.g., Java, C++, R).
• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and AI/ML tools such as SageMaker, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of data modeling, ETL processes, and both structured and unstructured data management.
• Proven leadership skills, including experience managing and mentoring teams of architects and engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a consulting or professional services capacity, with a track record of delivering client-facing solutions.
• Hands-on experience with containerization (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with migrating monolithic architectures to microservices or designing cloud-native solutions.
• Expertise in DevOps and automation frameworks, including Terraform and CloudFormation.
• Knowledge of advanced AI/ML techniques, such as NLP, recommendation systems, and real-time decision engines.
• Experience building or managing offshore development teams.

USD 159,400.00 - 265,600.00
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $159,400.00 - $265,600.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
About Cox Communications
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About Cox
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Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page .
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