Enterprise Architect - AI

Location: Virginia or Arizona (Local Candidates Preferred)

Work Authorization: Must be Security Clearance-ready

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to lead the development and governance of enterprise-wide architecture strategies across cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), integration, security, and data domains. This role will serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing architecture guidance, technology roadmaps, governance frameworks, and solution recommendations that support business transformation initiatives in a highly regulated environment.

The successful candidate will drive architecture standards, evaluate emerging technologies, support AI platform design and governance, and collaborate across business and technology teams to ensure scalable, secure, and compliant solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence enterprise technology direction, establish architecture best practices, and advance automation and AI-enabled delivery capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise architecture initiatives across cloud, AI, integration, security, and data domains.
• Develop executive-level architecture deliverables, including roadmaps, decision briefs, risk assessments, architecture diagrams, and strategic recommendations.
• Design and govern enterprise AI platforms and integration frameworks, including secure AI access patterns, API architectures, AI landing zones, and governance controls.
• Establish, maintain, and promote enterprise architecture standards, reference architectures, and governance processes.
• Participate in Architecture Review Boards (ARB) and provide architectural oversight for strategic initiatives and investments.
• Analyze enterprise application ecosystems, system integrations, and technical dependencies to support modernization and AI readiness efforts.
• Conduct technology evaluations, proof-of-concept initiatives, and trade studies to assess solution alternatives and recommend optimal approaches.
• Develop business cases, ROI analyses, and risk assessments to support technology investment decisions.
• Support Zero Trust architecture initiatives with emphasis on identity management, data protection, API security, and access controls.
• Identify automation opportunities within architecture and IT operations processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Collaborate with security, engineering, application, infrastructure, and data teams to align technology solutions with business objectives and compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of architecture practices through reusable frameworks, templates, accelerators, and AI-assisted methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, Systems Architecture, or related technical leadership roles.
• Experience leading architecture initiatives within highly regulated environments.
• Hands-on experience with modern AI tools, AI-assisted development platforms, and architecture automation solutions.
• Knowledge of enterprise AI governance principles, including responsible AI practices, prompt security, AI risk management, and least-privilege access models.
• Experience designing cloud architectures utilizing two or more major cloud providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Understanding of cloud landing zones, network architecture, security controls, and compliance-focused deployment patterns.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture principles and their application to enterprise environments.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive and non-technical stakeholders through clear, decision-ready deliverables.
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies such as TOGAF or equivalent.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks including NIST 800-171, CMMC Level 2, and related cybersecurity standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and governing enterprise AI platforms, large language model (LLM) integrations, and AI-enabled business solutions.
• Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), SysML, or related architecture modeling methodologies.
• Experience with API management platforms, enterprise integration patterns, and microservices architectures.
• Cloud, security, enterprise architecture, or systems engineering certifications.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior executives and leading cross-functional technology initiatives.
• Strategic Thinking
• Cloud and AI Architecture
• Technology Evaluation and Decision Analysis
• Governance and Compliance
• Executive Communication
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Automation and Innovation
• Problem Solving and Systems Thinking

What Success Looks Like

• Establishes scalable and secure architecture standards across the enterprise.
• Delivers strategic technology recommendations that drive executive decision-making.
• Enables AI adoption through governance, security, and architectural best practices.
• Improves operational efficiency through automation and reusable architecture frameworks.
• Aligns technology investments with business goals, regulatory requirements, and long-term enterprise strategy.