AI Enterprise Architect

Kforce has a client that is seeking an AI Enterprise Architect in Riverwoods, IL. Summary: We are seeking an experienced AI Enterprise Architect to lead the strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise-scale AI capabilities across a large organization. This is not a traditional architecture role focused solely on governance or documentation. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technology leader who can translate ambiguous business challenges into scalable AI solutions, working prototypes, production deployments, and measurable business outcomes. Success requires balancing innovation with operational excellence and moving rapidly from concept to production. Responsibilities include:

• Define and evolve enterprise AI architecture, platform strategy, standards, and roadmaps
• Lead AI initiatives from business problem identification through implementation, deployment, and adoption
• Design and implement solutions across Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, and AI-enabled applications
• Develop prototypes and reference architectures to validate technical approaches and accelerate delivery
• Establish scalable patterns for AI platforms, integrations, data access, security, observability, and governance
• Partner with engineering, cloud, data, security, and business teams to deliver production-ready AI capabilities
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, frameworks, and vendors to drive strategic technology decisions
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise requirements for scalability, performance, security, maintainability, and business value
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and technical stakeholders, translating architecture decisions into clear business outcomes

The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces ambiguity, challenges unnecessary complexity, and maintains a strong bias toward action while remaining accountable for business results.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of experience in Enterprise Architecture, Solutions Architecture, Software Architecture, Platform Architecture, Data Architecture, or senior engineering roles
• Proven experience designing and delivering production AI, Generative AI, Machine Learning, or Agentic AI solutions
• Experience leading AI initiatives from concept through production deployment and business value realization
• Experience building enterprise solutions on Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform
• Expertise in APIs, integrations, distributed systems, identity, and security architecture
• Experience with MLOps, LLMOps, AgentOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, and modern software engineering practices
• Strong understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), AI Agents, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), knowledge architectures, and AI-enabled applications
• Strong understanding of AI security, governance, privacy, compliance, and risk management
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to create prototypes, reference architectures, standards, and implementation roadmaps
• Must be able to provide detailed examples of production AI systems they personally architected, delivered, or materially influenced
• The ability to operate with the speed, agility, and execution mindset of a startup while maintaining the architectural rigor, scalability, security, and governance required within an enterprise environment