AI-Consultant / Architect

Job Summary

The AI Consultant / Architect is the senior technical authority within SoftwareOne’s AI advisory practice in North America. This role is responsible for translating AI ambition into production-grade, governed, and commercially viable architectures that can be successfully delivered at scale. The role defines end-to-end AI solution architecture across generative AI, agentic systems, and traditional ML, ensuring technical feasibility, cost awareness, governance, and delivery readiness. It acts as the key technical advisor to customer technology leadership, shaping solution design decisions and ensuring that architectures are defensible, scalable, and aligned with enterprise standards.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for AI engagements spanning deterministic automation, traditional ML, and generative / agentic AI. Design for the full lifecycle — data pipelines, model selection, integration, orchestration, evaluation, and monitoring.

• Make and document the build-vs-buy and model-selection decisions, with the trade-offs made explicit for the customer.

• Lead AI strategy, readiness, and use-case discovery workshops with customer business and technology leadership. Produce architecture blueprints, roadmaps, and business cases that connect technical design to measurable business outcomes.

• Give account and delivery teams a credible technical narrative that supports pipeline and protects delivery.

• Embed AI governance and risk management into every design — aligned to NIST AI RMF, the EU AI Act, and SR 11-7 where applicable. Account for cloud and inference economics (FinOps) so solutions are affordable to run, not just to build.

• Assess and communicate blast-radius risk, data exposure, and model failure modes before they reach production.

• Enablement & technical leadership. Mentor consultants and solution engineers, raising the technical bar across the practice. Capture patterns and lessons from each engagement so the practice compounds its expertise over time.

• Travel up to 30% to support customer engagements, workshops, and architecture advisory sessions.

Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experience using AI in a practical, applied way — such as improving workflows, automating tasks, enabling better decision-making, or increasing impact in prior roles. This does not require deep technical or engineering expertise in AI; we value applied use, experimenting, and a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning.

• Proven experience architecting and delivering AI / ML solutions in enterprise or services environments. Deep, hands-on knowledge of generative AI — LLMs, RAG, agentic systems — alongside traditional ML and data engineering.

• Strong cloud architecture skills across at least one major hyperscaler (Azure, AWS, or GCP). Working fluency in AI governance and risk frameworks (NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act, SR 11-7) and in cloud cost / FinOps dynamics.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to move between a boardroom and a build session. Entrepreneurial, accountable, and client-driven. Aligned to SoftwareOne’s IMPACT values.

Success Criteria

• Clients receive AI solutions that are technically sound, governed, and affordable to operate.

• Architecture decisions are documented, defensible, and survive contact with production.

• Delivery teams build against clear blueprints, reducing rework and delivery risk.

• The practice operates from a shared library of reference architectures and patterns.

• Governance and cost are designed in from day one — not bolted on after launch.

What we offer

• Generous pay with bonus structure (quarterly or bi-annual depending on the role)

• Independent environment without a lot of red tape where you are empowered to make decisions

• Substantial benefits package that includes:

  • Full suite of medical coverage with A+ carriers, Dental, and Vision with strong employer contributions plus additional voluntary coverage available for Pets, Identity Theft Protection, Accident & Critical Illness

  • 401k program with employer matching

  • Wellness plan that includes credits to premiums and employer contributions towards the savings plan of your choice

  • Access to EAP and concierge services plus pre-paid legal at no cost

  • Absenteeism plan that includes company-paid parking

• Abundant time off that includes paid holidays, floating holidays, your birthday off, a volunteer day, and discretionary time off (DTO)

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Learning and development opportunities galore, tuition reimbursement, and much more!

Specific to Nashville and Milwaukee-based office employees

• Company-paid parking

Company description

SoftwareOne and Crayon have come together to form a global, AI-powered software and cloud solutions provider with a bold vision for the future. With a footprint in over 70 countries and a diverse team of 13,000+ professionals, we offer unparalleled opportunities for talent to grow, make an impact, and shape the future of technology. At the heart of our business is our people. We empower our teams to work across borders, innovate fearlessly, and continuously develop their skills through world-class learning and development programs. Whether you're passionate about cloud, software, data, AI, or building meaningful client relationships, you'll find a place to thrive here. Join us and be part of a purpose-driven culture where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your career can go global.