Principal Consultant – Data & AI Solutions

About the role

We are seeking a Principal Consultant – Data & AI Solutions who has evolved from a strong technical architecture background into a client-facing thought partner and relationship leader. This role will anchor strategic data modernization and AI programs for a large enterprise client, combining deep technical credibility with executive influence, delivery oversight, and account growth responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Data Modernization & Architecture Advisory: Lead current-state architecture assessments and define target-state roadmaps for enterprise data, analytics, and AI platforms, including modernization of legacy data warehouses and fragmented AI tooling.
• Serve as the architectural conscience for large programs, ensuring decisions align to business priorities, scalability, security, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
• Establish and evangelize enterprise architecture standards, patterns, and guardrails to enable repeatable delivery across regions and teams.
• Guide technology trade-offs across time-to-value, cost, risk, and operating model, clearly articulating implications to senior stakeholders.
• Define and establish enterprise AI foundations to ensure AI and GenAI adoption is scalable, responsible, and embedded into core delivery workflows rather than treated as standalone experiments.
• Act as a trusted client thought partner, helping executives translate business strategy into actionable data and AI modernization initiatives.
• Partner with clients to drive an AI-first approach to transformation programs enabled by AI, automation, document understanding, machine learning, conversational AI, and intelligent workflows.
• Build deep knowledge of client businesses, priorities, and constraints, proactively shaping opportunities that deliver measurable impact.
• Anchor senior-level client forums including QBRs, MBRs, roadmap reviews, and joint business planning (JBPs).
• Navigate complex, matrixed client organizations, managing senior stakeholder dynamics, dependencies, and escalations with maturity and confidence.
• Deliver transformation at scale enabling successful execution of strategic programs driving adoption of AI- and GenAI-based solutions, including their application to modern software development and analytics workflows.
• Provide architectural oversight and strategic guidance rather than hands-on execution, ensuring alignment to agreed target states and business outcomes.
• Collaborate with client stakeholders to identify high-impact AI/ML opportunities, clarify problem statements, and lead structured discovery by assessing requirements, current processes, and adoption impediments at scale.
• Identify, shape, and drive follow-on opportunities by connecting architectural decisions to broader transformation outcomes and business value.
• Participate in comprehensive account planning with the account leader aligned to client strategies and organizational objectives.
• Lead proposal development, solution framing, and executive-level client presentations in partnership with key account and delivery leaders.
• Represent and position the full Fractal portfolio across AI, Engineering & Design, and domain-specific analytics.

Qualifications

• 18+ years of experience across Enterprise / Principal Architect or senior consulting roles, with demonstrated evolution into client-facing leadership.
• Strong background in modern data platforms and cloud architecture (Azure, Databricks, data products, data governance).
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale data modernization and AI-enabled transformation programs.
• Track record of building long-term client relationships as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.
• Recognized contributor within the architecture or technology community, with experience sharing expertise and perspectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technology topics into executive-ready narratives.

Pay

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Fractal, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Up to $200,000. In addition, you may be eligible for a discretionary bonus for the current performance period.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability plans.
• 11 paid holidays and 12 weeks of Parental Leave.
• Free time PTO policy.
• Company 401(k) Plan after 30 days of employment.
• Equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.