AI Architect

Role Description

The AI Architect is responsible for designing and delivering production-ready AI solutions across the organization. This individual will manage a small team of AI Engineers and occasionally flex roles from UX, front-end, and subject matter experts to create innovative solutions that leverage machine learning for enterprise-wide impact. The AI Architect will provide direct oversight of AI solution design, infrastructure, and deployment using standardized coding best practices. This position will mentor team members in technical development and ensure alignment with business objectives in the K12 and broader enterprise context. The AI Architect is deeply experienced, passionate about applied AI, comfortable building end-to-end ML pipelines in cloud environments, and able to set priorities and organize the collaborative work of a small technical team. They will drive the timely delivery of AI products directly linked to actionable business decisions.

Essential Functions

• Drives the conception, prototyping, and deployment of machine learning models—particularly in natural language processing (NLP) and recommender systems—across multiple product lines.
• Leverages AWS and Azure ecosystems, containerization, and infrastructure-as-code tools to create and maintain production-ready AI systems that can scale efficiently.
• Works from proof-of-concept through full productization, including data ingestion, model training, deployment, monitoring for performance drift, and iteration for continuous improvement.
• Informs, influences, and supports product decisions.
• Directly supervises 1–3 AI Engineers and occasional flex contributors on specific projects. Provides guidance on coding best practices, model development, and data governance.
• Works closely with Product, Engineering, IT Managers, Data Stewards, and high-level executives to align AI initiatives with organizational objectives. Ensures that AI solutions adhere to governance and compliance requirements, including student data privacy.
• Provides critical input and execution support, identifying practical opportunities for applied AI to drive business outcomes.
• Ensures that AI deliverables are well-documented, reproducible, and monitored for ongoing performance and data integrity. Partners with governance teams and legal to adapt to evolving data privacy regulations and responsible AI practices.
• Stays abreast of emerging trends and tools—such as large language models—and evaluates their applicability. Advocates for robust DevOps/MLOps, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize the impact of AI deployments.
• Aligns K12’s AI capabilities with the needs of our schools & school services teams that will drive the adoption and use of actionable data to deliver improved outcomes.
• Identifies and defines strategic opportunities for leveraging data science across other businesses and functions in support of K12’s mission, vision and long-term strategy.
• Demonstrates a passion for education and the K12 experience, actively motivating and encouraging the same passion in employees.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises 1 - 3 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) regular employees and/or contractors.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Math, Physics, Engineering, or related quantitative field AND six (6) years’ related experience; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience designing and deploying machine learning models—especially NLP and recommender systems—using Python and common ML libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn).
• Proficiency with AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform to build scalable, secure, and high-performing environments.
• High attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Professional integrity necessary to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong planning skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to complete assigned duties within critical deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Proficiency with modern reporting platforms and tools.
• Ability to grasp complex platform concepts and business models, in a digital context.
• Ability to clear required background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MLOps frameworks such as MLflow or Kubeflow.
• Familiarity with K12 education data or prior EdTech experience.
• Experience working in an environment that emphasizes responsible AI, ethical AI, or complex governance practices.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• This is a home-based position.

Compensation & Benefits

• Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level.
• Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections.
• We anticipate the salary range to be $113,073.75 to $180,000.00. Eligible employees may receive a bonus.
• This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions.
• Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.