Principal Architect - Enterprise AI

This is a senior individual contributor role reporting to the VP of Enterprise AI Transformation. You will combine strategic enterprise architecture with hands-on AI exploration in a full-time remote opportunity based in the United States.

About the role

As a Principal Architect, Enterprise AI, you will shape how Avalara adopts AI across the enterprise. You will turn new AI capabilities and validated pilots into scalable architecture standards, reusable patterns, decision frameworks, and governance guardrails. While you will influence teams across the organization, you will not have direct people management responsibilities.

You will stay current with advances in AI, personally test new models, agent frameworks, copilots, and tools, and translate their potential into practical architectural guidance. You will help shorten the path from discovering a new AI capability to using it productively, responsibly, and safely at scale.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain enterprise architecture standards, reference patterns, and governance guardrails for AI-enabled solutions moving from pilot to production.
• Establish decision models for build, buy, or integrate choices; model and vendor selection; data access; security; and responsible AI adoption.
• Design scalable architecture patterns for AI-enabled workflows and agentic processes across data, APIs, identity, security, and cloud platforms.
• Test new AI models, LLMs, agent frameworks, and tools to inform enterprise adoption.
• Design proof-of-concepts, define success criteria, and guide solutions from pilot to production.
• Lead architecture reviews and communicate trade-offs, risks, and growth to partners.
• Partner with teams to translate needs into governed, implementation-ready solutions.
• Ensure teams through demos, workshops, and reusable templates to support safe AI adoption.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience in enterprise, solution, or platform architecture, including architecture standards, reference patterns, and governance frameworks.
• Platform architecture experience across integrations, data, cloud infrastructure, APIs, identity, and security.
• Hands-on experience building and prototyping with modern AI/LLM tools, APIs, and agent frameworks.
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or equivalent.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP and associated AI/ML services.
• Experience guiding teams and executive decision-making.
• Experience with AI enablement programs, workshops, or communities of practice.
• Experience architecting automation, integration, or orchestration platforms such as n8n, Boomi, MuleSoft, or Workato.
• Public writing, speaking, or open-source contributions related to applied AI.

About Avalara

We’re defining the relationship between tax and tech. We’ve already built an industry-leading cloud compliance platform, processing over 54 billion customer API calls and over 6.6 million tax returns a year. Our growth is real—we're a billion-dollar business—and we’re not slowing down until we’ve achieved our mission: to be part of every transaction in the world.

Avalara is an AI-first company. AI is embedded in our workflows, decision-making, and products. Success here requires embracing AI as an essential capability. You’ll bring experience using AI and AI-related technologies, ready to thrive here. You’ll apply AI every day to business challenges—improving efficiency, contributing solutions, and driving results for your team, our company, and our customers. You’ll grow with AI by staying curious about new trends and best practices, and by sharing what you learn so others can benefit too.

Benefits

• Total Rewards: In addition to a great compensation package, paid time off, and paid parental leave, many Avalara employees are eligible for bonuses.
• Health & Wellness: Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Inclusive culture and diversity: Avalara strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to integrating them into our business practices and organizational culture. We have a total of 8 employee-run resource groups, each with senior leadership and executive sponsorship.

Pay

We provide the base pay range(s) below in compliance with state-specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

• Colorado: $153,300-$203,100 (annually)
• Washington: $153,300-$279,600 (annually)
• California: $153,300-$306,300 (annually)
• NYC: $185,500-$306,300 (annually)

The pay range above is the general base pay range for you in the state listed. We base your actual salary/wage on multiple factors, such as geographic location, candidate experience and qualifications, and market and business considerations. This role is eligible for an annual bonus based on personal and company performance, depending on the terms of the applicable plan and your role.