AI Solutions Architect - Computing Services

Carnegie Mellon University has been shaping the field of artificial intelligence since the very beginning. Now we're asking a new question: how should a university that helped pioneer AI optimally use it across our own education, research, and operations? We're figuring that out — and we want you to join us in Computing Services, the central IT group, in crafting the solution. This role sits at the center of that work.

About the role

You'll help turn ideas into solutions to be built, run pilots that prove or disprove potential outcomes, and help establish patterns to scale AI responsibly across a complex institution. We're not looking for someone who just draws diagrams. We need a partner who can move from strategy conversations with leadership to hands-on prototyping with our developers and getting solutions into the hands of our users.

Responsibilities

• Define AI strategy alongside senior leadership, connecting institutional goals to practical technical roadmaps.
• Design solution architectures and build or deploy proofs-of-concept systems that validate feasibility when opportunities emerge.
• Work with existing products to make them productive for our customers, rather than building everything from scratch.
• Bridge gaps by translating business needs into requirements and partnering with other teams to deploy solutions.
• Collaborate with security and compliance colleagues to navigate privacy, data protection, and responsible use, including identifying bias and ensuring ethical standards are met.
• Build the foundation for scalable AI: reference architectures, reusable patterns, integration standards, and operational playbooks to streamline future projects.
• Share knowledge through workshops, training sessions, and community events to help colleagues across campus adopt AI effectively.

Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience in AI/ML solution design, technical consulting, or architecture-focused roles.
• Experience taking AI projects from idea through pilot to production, including building working systems, not just strategy decks.
• Comfort with cloud platforms and designing solutions that span on-premise and cloud environments.
• Strong communication skills: ability to explain technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders and business needs to technical teams.
• Ability to write clear, referenceable documentation and articles.
• Comfort with ambiguity and enthusiasm for proposing paths forward in new, undefined areas.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or relevant experience is required.
• A master's degree or comparable experience is considered a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition remission for employees and dependents.
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to a Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA. This is a full-time, regular staff position.