AI Solutions Architect

About the role

Zions Bancorporation’s Enterprise Technology and Operations (ETO) team is transforming what it means to work for a financial institution. With a commitment to technology and innovation, we have been providing our community, clients, and colleagues with the best experience possible for over 150 years. We are seeking an experienced Senior-Level AI Solutions Architect to lead the architecture and design of innovative AI solutions and data products across the enterprise. This role is pivotal in leveraging modern Data and AI technologies to solve business challenges and requires a deep understanding of Data Science, Machine Learning, and Generative AI.

The Enterprise Architecture and Strategy organization is at the heart of innovation at Zions Bancorporation. We are continually modernizing key banking applications and strive to improve company efficiencies by using AI to automate repetitive tasks, optimize processes, and provide data-driven insights for better decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Enterprise Architects, Data Scientists, and Engineering teams to architect and launch cutting-edge AI use cases, seamlessly integrating them with our strategic data platform (Databricks) to drive enterprise-wide transformation.
• Architect operational capabilities for deploying, scaling, and managing sophisticated ML and Large Language Model (LLM) workflows under a robust MLOps/LLMOps strategy.
• Enhance the Enterprise Architecture practice by designing forward-looking reference architectures, roadmaps, patterns, and standards for AI and Machine Learning, inspiring teams across the organization to adopt them.
• Serve as a technical advisor and mentor for engineering teams, empowering them with best practices and architectural wisdom needed to build highly scalable, robust AI solutions and data pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with Security, Risk, and Data Governance teams to proactively navigate risks, ensuring ethical AI implementation and compliance with regulations.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge AI breakthroughs and industry trends, engaging hands-on with teams to validate new methods and their application within our ecosystem.
• Bridge the gap between complex business desires and elegant technical solutions, collaborating with product owners and managers to bring high-impact ideas to life.
• Participate in technology and business strategic planning, guiding the long-term roadmaps for both business capabilities and technical initiatives.
• Ensure all solutions sit on a solid foundation of established principles, patterns, and security guardrails designed to accelerate safe, successful cloud adoption.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with AI technologies, including Machine Learning, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and/or Large Language Models (LLMs).
• At least 8 years of experience in a corporate IT role, with significant experience in application or solution architecture, analysis, and design.
• Proven hands-on experience building Proof of Concepts (PoCs) to validate that architectural patterns and solutions meet business and technical requirements.
• Proficiency in using a major data platform like Databricks and its core tools (e.g., Delta Lake, MLflow) to build and deploy data-intensive applications.
• Experience with a major cloud platform, preferably Google Cloud Platform (GCP), AWS, or Azure.
• Familiarity with model deployment, performance tuning, and scaling in production environments.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Math, Statistics, Computer Science/Engineering, or a related field. A combination of education and experience may meet requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with business leaders and technical experts at all organizational levels.
• Ability to cultivate a shared strategic vision, articulate clear business objectives, and align the organization to achieve them.
• Experience in Banking or Financial Services is a plus.

Schedule

This position has a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of three days per week in the office at the new Zions Technology Center in Midvale, UT.

Location

The Zions Technology Center is a 400,000-square-foot technology campus in Midvale, Utah. Located on the former Sharon Steel Mill superfund site, the sustainably built campus is the company’s primary technology and operations center. Features include:

• Electric vehicle charging stations and close proximity to Historic Gardner Village UTA TRAX station.
• At least 75% of the building is powered by on-site renewable solar energy.
• Access to outdoor recreation, parks, trails, shareable bikes, and locker rooms.
• Large modern café with a healthy and diverse menu.
• Healthy indoor environment with ample natural light and fresh air.
• LEED-certified sustainable building that features low VOC-emitting construction materials.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – start day one.
• Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, and Adoption Assistance.
• Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA), and dependent care accounts.
• Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO), and 11 Paid Federal Holidays.
• 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience.
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions.
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products.