Principal AI Architect

The Principal AI Architect to design and lead the technical strategy for our AI infrastructure, platforms, and systems. In this role, you will own the architectural vision for how we build, deploy, and scale AI solutions across the organization. You'll work at the intersection of AI/ML innovation, systems design, and engineering excellence, partnering with product, data science, and infrastructure teams to build robust, scalable, and responsible AI systems. This is a high-impact technical leadership role ideal for someone who is passionate about AI systems, thinks deeply about architecture and design patterns, and is excited about solving complex technical challenges at scale. What You’ll Be Doing What will your essential responsibilities include? AI Architecture & Systems Design (40%) Own the end-to-end technical architecture for AI systems, platforms, and infrastructureDesign scalable, modular, and extensible AI architectures that support multiple use casesDefine technical standards, best practices, and design patterns for AI development across the organizationEvaluate and recommend AI/ML frameworks, tools, and technologies (LLMs, vector databases, orchestration platforms, etc.)Design solutions for complex challenges: model serving, real-time inference, batch processing, multi-model systemsCreate architecture documentation, diagrams, and technical specifications for cross-functional teamsConduct architecture reviews and provide technical guidance on design decisions AI Infrastructure & Platform Development (25%) Design and architect AI/ML platforms and infrastructure for scale (training, inference, monitoring, deployment)Define MLOps and model lifecycle management practices (versioning, governance, lineage, reproducibility)Design data pipelines, feature engineering infrastructure, and data management systemsArchitect solutions for model serving, inference optimization, and latency requirementsPlan and execute infrastructure upgrades, migrations, and technical debt reductionEstablish monitoring, observability, and alerting frameworks for AI systemsWork with DevOps and Infrastructure teams to operationalize AI systems AI/ML Innovation & Strategy (15%) Stay at the forefront of AI/ML research and emerging technologiesEvaluate new models, frameworks, and techniques for strategic relevance and business impactDesign proof-of-concepts and pilots for emerging AI technologies (generative AI, multimodal models, agents, etc.)Provide technical thought leadership on AI strategy and technologydmapMentor data scientists and engineers on architectural best practices and design patternsContribute to technical strategy discussions with product and business leadership Technical Leadership & Collaboration (15%) Lead and mentor senior engineers, architects, and technical leadsEstablish technical vision and roadmap aligned with business objectivesDrive technical decision-making and architecture governance across AI teamsPartner with Product to translate business requirements into technical architectureCollaborate with Data Science, Engineering, and Infrastructure teams on design and implementationLead design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical problem-solving sessionsBuild and maintain robust relationships with key technical stakeholders Responsible AI & Governance (5%) Design systems and processes to ensure responsible AI practices (bias detection, fairness, explainability)Establish governance frameworks for model performance, safety, and ethical deploymentDesign monitoring and alerting for model drift, performance degradation, and fairness metricsNavigate regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with AI regulationsArchitect solutions for model interpretability, transparency, and auditabilityLead technical discussions on AI ethics, safety, and responsible system design You will report to the Global Head of Digital Factory. What You Will BRING We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills: Required Skills And Abilities Extensive software engineering or systems architecture experienceModerate hands-on experience designing and building large-scale AI/ML systemsProven track record architecting systems that have been deployed to production at scaleExperience leading technical architecture decisions on complex, mission-critical systemsDemonstrated expertise in distributed systems, scalability, and performance optimizationDeep expertise in AI/ML fundamentals, algorithms, and best practicesOutstanding understanding of modern ML frameworks and tools (TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX, etc.)Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, Java, C++, Go, etc.)Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)Robust understanding of data engineering, ETL pipelines, and data infrastructureKnowledge of database systems, data warehousing, and query optimizationFamiliarity with API design, microservices, and distributed system patternsStrategic thinking with ability to balance innovation and pragmatismOutstanding problem-solving skills with ability to break down complex technical challengesExcellent communication skills; ability to explain complex concepts clearlyLeadership presence and ability to influence technical teams and stakeholdersIntellectual curiosity and passion for staying current with AI/ML research and trendsComfort with ambiguity and ability to make decisions with incomplete informationRobust judgment and ability to make sound architectural trade-offs Track record of mentoring senior engineers and technical leadsExperience navigating organizational and technical complexity at scaleThought leadership in AI/ML architecture (speaking engagements, publications, open-source contributions) Desired Skills And Abilities Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Project Management or a related field. Engineering, computer science, data science, or machine learning backgroundUnderstanding of AI infrastructure, model training, deployment, and MLOpsFamiliarity with prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and LLM customizationKnowledge of RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), agents, and advanced AI architecturesExperience in enterprise SaaS, B2B, or B2B2C product managementTrack record in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, enterprise) or compliance-heavy environmentsPrevious experience with platform or ecosystem productsDemonstrated understanding of AI safety, fairness, bias mitigation, governance and responsible AI frameworksKnowledge of AI ethics principles and ability to operationalize them in product decisionsExperience with generative AI, LLMs, or conversational AI productsExperience with large language models (LLMs), transformers, and generative AI systemsExpertise in RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), fine-tuning, and prompt engineeringExperience designing AI agents and multi-step reasoning systemsKnowledge of model compression, quantization, and inference optimizationFamiliarity with reinforcement learning or other advanced ML techniquesExperience designing and operating ML platforms (Kubeflow, MLflow, SageMaker, Vertex AI, etc.)Expertise in model serving and inference optimization (TensorFlow Serving, Triton, etc.)Experience with feature stores and feature engineering platformsKnowledge of monitoring, observability, and alerting for ML systemsExperience with infrastructure-as-code and CI/CD pipelines for ML Who WE Are AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it. How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty. With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward. Learn more at axaxl.com. What we OFFER Inclusion AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed. Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Total Rewards AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do. We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence. Sustainability At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations. Our Pillars Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving. For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL. Applicants for this role must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future. The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD 141,000 - 222,200. Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay. At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2026.