Principal Technical Architect
About the role
This is one of the most senior technical roles in the Snowflake Services Delivery organization. You will define how we deliver at scale, set the architectural standards that our entire practice builds on, and engage with our most strategic customers at the highest levels of technical complexity.
Responsibilities
Practice Leadership and Standards: Define the architectural frameworks, delivery standards, and technical methodologies that guide how the Services Delivery organization operates across engagements.
Own the development of the SD technical practice in one or more domains (AI/ML, data platform, cloud migration, MLOps), establishing reference architectures, repeatable delivery patterns, and capability accelerators.
Identify and close capability gaps across the SD team, driving investments in tooling, enablement, and institutional knowledge.
Represent the SD technical perspective in cross-functional planning with product, engineering, and field leadership.
Strategic Customer Engagement: Engage directly with the most complex and strategically significant customer opportunities, providing principal-level technical guidance that other architects build around.
Advisory: Advise C-level and senior executive stakeholders on platform architecture, AI strategy, and long-term technology direction in the context of Snowflake's capabilities.
Own technical outcomes for enterprise programs where delivery risk is highest, personally driving resolution of the most difficult architectural and integration challenges.
Translate emerging Snowflake capabilities into actionable strategic advantage for key customers before those capabilities are broadly adopted.
External Influence and Thought Leadership: Represent Snowflake's technical depth externally through conference presentations, published content, customer advisory boards, and industry forums.
Build Snowflake's reputation as a trusted technical partner in the AI and data platform ecosystem.
Channel field intelligence from strategic engagements back into Snowflake's product organization to influence roadmap decisions.
Organizational Development: Mentor senior architects and technical leads across the SD practice, raising the technical ceiling of the broader team.
Partner with SD leadership on hiring, technical calibration, and the development of architectural career paths.
Drive adoption of AI-native delivery practices within the SD organization, setting the standard for how the team uses AI to accelerate and improve customer outcomes.
Requirements
BA/BS in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
10+ years of experience in senior technical architecture, data platform consulting, or a principal-level customer-facing technical role.
Recognized expertise across the full modern data and AI stack, with deep hands-on Snowflake experience including advanced platform governance, performance architecture, and multi-cloud deployment patterns.
Deep expertise in the AI/ML lifecycle at enterprise scale, including production MLOps, model governance, responsible AI frameworks, and generative AI architectures.
Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy, organizational direction, or market positioning through technical leadership.
Proficiency in SQL and Python at a level sufficient to architect, review, and advise on production systems.
Experience engaging C-level and senior executive audiences on complex technology decisions, with a track record of translating technical depth into executive clarity.
Ability to hold and defend strong technical positions in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.
Bonus Points
Published technical work, conference presentations, or recognized industry contributions in data, AI/ML, or cloud architecture.
Experience building or scaling a technical practice, Center of Excellence, or architecture function across a large organization.
Advanced cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent).
Deep industry vertical expertise across multiple verticals (e.g., Financial Services, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, Public Sector).
Experience contributing to open source projects or co-authoring technical standards.
Qualifications
BA/BS in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
10+ years of experience in senior technical architecture, data platform consulting, or a principal-level customer-facing technical role.
Recognized expertise across the full modern data and AI stack, with deep hands-on Snowflake experience including advanced platform governance, performance architecture, and multi-cloud deployment patterns.
Deep expertise in the AI/ML lifecycle at enterprise scale, including production MLOps, model governance, responsible AI frameworks, and generative AI architectures.
Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy, organizational direction, or market positioning through technical leadership.
Proficiency in SQL and Python at a level sufficient to architect, review, and advise on production systems.
Experience engaging C-level and senior executive audiences on complex technology decisions, with a track record of translating technical depth into executive clarity.
Ability to hold and defend strong technical positions in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.
Skills
SQL
Python
Benefits
Includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending & health savings account; at least 12 paid holidays; paid time off; parental leave; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.
Pay
The estimated base salary range for this role is $166,000 - $218,400. Additionally, this role is eligible to participate in Snowflake’s bonus and equity plan. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
Schedule
Full-time
Company
Snowflake