AI Senior Solutions Architect - Automotive

Job Description

We currently have a career opportunity for an AI Senior Solutions Architect to join our team in support of clients within the Automotive Industry.

Job Overview:

Lead and scale Perficient's Product Development practice focused on AI-enabled Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) transformation for the automotive industry, with emphasis on software-defined vehicles (SDV), ADAS/Autonomous Driving, connected vehicle platforms, and embedded + cloud ecosystems.
This strategic leadership role combines practice management, presales excellence, platform engineering, and innovation governance to drive AI-First, safety-by-design delivery capabilities across highly regulated automotive environments. Enable safe, scalable AI-driven development for systems handling vehicle control, driver assistance, telematics, OTA updates, and mobility services.

Key Mandate: Transform automotive software development delivery using AI-enabled engineering methodologies while maintaining rigorous compliance with ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ASPICE, UNECE R155/R156 (Cybersecurity & OTA), ISO 21434, SOC 2, IATF 16949, and SOX, alongside cloud and enterprise security standards where applicable.

Perficient is always looking for the best and brightest talent and we need you! We're a quickly-growing, global digital consulting leader, and we're transforming the world's largest enterprises and biggest brands. You'll work with the latest technologies, expand your skills, and become a part of our global community of talented, diverse, and knowledgeable colleagues.

Responsibilities

Practice Leadership & Business Development

• Build and scale Perficient's AI-enabled Automotive SDLC offering, creating, leading, and training multidisciplinary teams across embedded systems, vehicle platforms, cloud backends, and data-centric mobility products
• Lead complex RFPs ($500K-$10M+) in the automotive and mobility sector, including OEM vehicle programs, Tier-1 supplier platforms, ADAS/AV stacks, connected vehicle and fleet solutions, with end-to-end solution ownership
• Establish automotive thought leadership through white papers, industry events, standards working groups, and strategic partnerships (e.g., SDV ecosystems, AUTOSAR, mobility alliances)
• Create go-to-market strategies including automotive-specific productized offerings, pricing models, and partner ecosystems (cloud hyperscalers, silicon vendors, middleware providers, AI platform partners)

Platform Engineering & Architecture

• Design enterprise AI SDLC platforms (cloud-agnostic: Azure/AWS/GCP/on-prem) supporting embedded + cloud co-development, secure vehicle data isolation, traceability, and auditability
• Build compliance-by-design frameworks translating ISO 26262, ASPICE, ISO 21434, UNECE R155/R156, and SOC 2 into concrete engineering patterns, safety artifacts, and CI/CD guardrails
• Deliver platform MVPs in 6-8 weeks with small, elite teams (2-4 engineers), balancing speed, quality, functional safety, and vehicle program milestones
• Create reference architectures for:
  • Software-defined vehicle platforms
  • ADAS / autonomous feature development
  • OTA update pipelines
  • Connected vehicle and telemetry systems
  • Regulated ML pipelines (including model explainability, versioning, deployment gates, and safety evidence automation)

Innovation & Governance

• Lead and enable Forward-Deployed Engineers through structured automotive AI curricula, including intensive 1-2 week bootcamps
• Drive AI toolchain evaluations addressing safety, cybersecurity, bias, data provenance, and regulatory risk in vehicle systems
• Establish model risk management, validation frameworks, audit-readiness patterns, and software safety governance aligned with OEM and Tier-1 expectations

Client Delivery & Team Development

• Provide solution architecture leadership for engagements involving vehicle platforms, embedded systems, connected services, and AI-enabled driver or fleet experiences
• Conduct executive workshops and architecture deep dives with client CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, Heads of Vehicle Software, and Engineering VPs
• Develop team capabilities through mentorship, training programs, and structured career development paths
• Create demo environments, technical documentation, and reusable assets that accelerate delivery while standing up to functional safety and cybersecurity audits

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• 10+ years in software development, platform engineering, or technology consulting with demonstrated technical depth
• 5+ years in senior technical or practice leadership roles
• 3+ years in presales / solution architecture for enterprise B2B with proven $5M+ deal wins
• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; Master's or MBA preferred

Technical & Regulatory Expertise

• Deep understanding of modern SDLC, DevOps, CI/CD, and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) applied to embedded, real-time, and vehicle-connected systems
• Strong hands-on credibility with ability to review code, design architectures, and guide senior engineers
• Deep expertise in the Automotive & Mobility vertical (OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, EV, ADAS, AV, fleet, or connected vehicle platforms)
• Proven ability to translate automotive safety, quality, and cybersecurity standards into actionable engineering practices and pass formal audits
• Proficient in leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation, support strategic initiatives, and enable data-driven decision-making.
• Possesses a strong understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations.

Leadership & Business Acumen

• Experience managing distributed, cross-disciplinary teams (10+ members) in high-stakes delivery environments
• Exceptional written and verbal communication for proposals, executive briefings, and board-level discussions
• Consultative mindset with the ability to understand vehicle program constraints, supplier ecosystems, and regulatory realities, delivering pragmatic, scalable solutions

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our Product Development team drives innovation by building digital solutions through a full end-to-end development process. Utilizing modern platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, we create customer-focused products, internal workflow tools, and mobile apps that elevate business operations across industries. With a clear focus on results and growth, our team is committed to doubling our global presence while delivering meaningful outcomes for renowned clients. We also embed AI into our solutions to enable smarter features, automate complex workflows, and deliver intuitive, data-driven user experiences.


Perficient, Inc. proudly provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Perficient, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Perficient, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or covered veterans. Improper interference with the ability of Perficient, Inc. employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Disability Accommodations: Perficient is committed to providing a barrier-free employment process with reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the posting is removed.

The salary range for this position takes into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, level of experience, applicable office location, training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The new hire salary range displays the minimum and maximum salary targets for this position across all US locations, and the range has not been adjusted for any specific state differentials. It is not typical for a candidate to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the unique facts and circumstances regarding each candidate. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this position is $92,118.00 to $202,730.00. Please note that the salary range posted reflects the base salary only and does not include benefits or any potential variable compensation programs. Information regarding the benefits available for this position are in our benefits overview.


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About Us

Perficient is the global AI and technology consulting firm disrupting the traditional consulting model. Powered by our 7,000+ advisors, engineers, and designers, Perficient implements AI-first solutions that break conventions and deliver outcomes that matter. Proudly serving clients that represent the world's most innovative brands, and in collaboration with our powerful technology partner ecosystem, we bring deep industry expertise and data-driven design to redefine how businesses run and succeed. Perficient is different. For real. Learn more at perficient.com.