Principal Architect - Data & AI

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal Architect - Data & AI based in the United States.

This is a senior technical leadership role focused on shaping how complex data and AI engagements are delivered at enterprise scale. You will orchestrate technical delivery across data engineering, visualization, governance, and AI, bringing multiple disciplines together into a coherent approach. Beyond client delivery, you will help mature the broader practice by creating standards, accelerators, frameworks, and engineering practices that scale. The role combines strategic advisory work, hands-on technical leadership, practice development, and coaching in a highly collaborative environment. You will also evaluate and apply AI-powered and agentic approaches to improve the speed, consistency, and quality of consulting delivery. Success requires the ability to influence senior stakeholders, resolve ambiguity, anticipate delivery risks, and turn proven practices into lasting organizational capabilities. This is a player-coach opportunity for an experienced architect who wants to shape both high-impact engagements and the future direction of a growing data and AI practice.

Accountabilities: Lead the technical delivery approach for large, multidisciplinary engagements spanning data engineering, data visualization, data governance, and AI.

Orchestrate technical leads across disciplines to establish a unified delivery plan, including sequencing, dependencies, decision points, and shared standards.

Own how complex work is structured, staffed, sequenced, and de-risked without necessarily owning the detailed solution design of every individual discipline.

Identify delivery risks early and intervene when engagements begin to drift in quality, technical coherence, or execution approach.

Drive practice maturation initiatives from initial assessment through adoption, establishing documented standards, reusable accelerators, engineering practices, advisory frameworks, and clear ownership.

Improve talent and engagement models through consistent technical interview standards, calibration frameworks, skills visibility, and practices that support consultant focus and engagement health.

Strengthen scoping and advisory capabilities by translating ambiguous business requests into clearly defined problems, recommendations, and appropriate engagement pathways.

Apply AI tooling and agentic patterns to consulting delivery, measuring their impact on speed, quality, consistency, and overall delivery economics.

Incorporate successful AI-enabled approaches into repeatable delivery standards and accelerators rather than relying on individual usage.

Coach architects and consultants across disciplines on consulting judgment, delivery strategy, and technical decision-making.

Influence technical leaders across teams when cross-practice alignment, engagement risk, or capability development requires coordinated action.

Collaborate closely with presales, PMO, engineering, sales, leadership, partners, and other principal architects to promote consistent delivery and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related technical field or equivalent professional experience.

10+ years of experience delivering enterprise data or AI solutions, including substantial experience within consulting or professional services environments.

Expert-level expertise in at least one of data engineering, data visualization, or data governance, combined with working proficiency across at least two additional disciplines.

Demonstrated ability to take a practice capability from assessment through to an adopted and sustainable standard, such as delivery standards, DevOps practices, accelerator libraries, interview frameworks, or competency models.

Proven experience leading technical delivery across multiple disciplines simultaneously on large or complex engagements.

Practical experience using AI to improve how delivery teams operate, with the ability to demonstrate measurable outcomes and explain approaches that did not deliver expected value.

Hands-on experience within the Microsoft data and AI ecosystem, potentially including Microsoft Fabric, Azure data services, Power BI, Microsoft Purview, Copilot Studio, or Microsoft Foundry.

Exceptional facilitation, presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to lead executive-level discussions and drive decisions through ambiguity or disagreement.

Strong relationship-building abilities and the capacity to establish trust with clients, executives, technical teams, partners, and internal leadership.

Ability to influence effectively without relying on direct reporting authority.

Strong problem-solving skills, with a focus on identifying systemic issues and addressing root causes.

Experience supporting presales activities such as scoping, effort modeling, technical approaches, and statements of work is preferred.

Familiarity with DORA capabilities and their application to data and analytics delivery is preferred.

Experience serving regulated or public-sector clients, including government, healthcare, financial services, or education, is valued.

Relevant Microsoft certifications such as PL-300, DP-600, DP-700, DP-750, GH-300, GH-600, or AI-901 are preferred.

Ability to travel periodically to client, partner, company, and industry event locations.

Commitment to continuous learning across evolving data, analytics, and AI platforms.

Strong ethical standards and disciplined adherence to data privacy, governance, compliance, and security requirements.

Benefits

Estimated annual compensation of $200,000–$250,000 , including base salary and bonus.

Compensation determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

401(k) plan.

Flexible spending benefits.

Remote work flexibility.

Opportunities for continuous professional development and leadership growth.

Access to the technology and resources needed to succeed in a modern data and AI environment.

Opportunity to work on large-scale enterprise engagements across multiple industries.

Exposure to emerging AI technologies, platforms, and delivery methodologies.

A collaborative environment that values technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and professional growth.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!  Why Apply Through Jobgether?    Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.     #LI-CL1