Principal AI & ML Architect

Overview

National Debt Relief (NDR) is seeking a Principal AI & ML Architect to design and build the AI and machine learning systems that power our Data Science and Applied AI teams. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Data and AI, this senior individual contributor serves both teams equally, helping shape shared architecture standards while staying hands-on in code. A core focus of this role is helping design NDR's agentic architecture: the frameworks, patterns, and platforms that allow AI agents to reason, use tools, and act reliably across both predictive ML and Generative AI use cases. You will partner closely with the Directors of Data Science and Applied AI, as well as Data Engineering and Analytics Platforms, to move solutions from prototype to secure, scalable production. This is a unique opportunity for a technically deep, pragmatic architect who enjoys both whiteboard design and production delivery to shape how AI is built across a mission-driven company. This is a highly collaborative role, and strong teamwork and interpersonal skills are required.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Partner with Data Science and Applied AI team members to design NDR's agentic architecture, including:

• Agent orchestration patterns (single-agent, multi-agent, and human-in-the-loop workflows)

• Tool and API integration standards, including Model Context Protocol (MCP) and function calling

• Memory, context management, and retrieval (RAG) layers

• Guardrails, evaluation, observability, and cost controls for agents in production

• Collaborate with both teams on reference architectures and reusable components so they can build AI and ML solutions on a common foundation.

• Stay hands-on: prototype, write production-quality code, and work alongside engineers and data scientists to deliver high-priority solutions.

• Contribute to the design of end-to-end ML systems, from feature pipelines and model training through deployment, monitoring, and retraining.

• Help determine where agents and LLMs should call predictive ML models (and vice versa), combining both into cohesive solutions.

• Work with Data Engineering and Analytics Platforms to help ensure data, infrastructure, and platform choices support AI and ML workloads at scale.

• Contribute to build vs. buy evaluations for AI platforms, frameworks, and vendors, prioritizing scalable, secure, and cost-effective options.

• Help mature MLOps and LLMOps practices, including CI/CD for models and agents, versioning, testing, and production monitoring.

• Champion robust governance, security, privacy, and compliance for AI systems operating in a regulated financial services environment.

• Participate in architecture and code reviews, and help document shared standards and best practices.

• Share expertise with peers across the Data and AI organization, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• Communicate architecture decisions, trade-offs, and roadmaps clearly to technical teams and executive stakeholders.

• Stay abreast of evolving AI and ML tools, models, and agent frameworks, and bring forward recommendations on when to adopt them.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. Master's or PhD is strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in ML engineering, data science, AI engineering, or software architecture roles.
• 3+ years in a senior, staff, principal, or architect-level role setting technical direction across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated success designing and deploying production-grade ML models and Generative AI applications at scale.
• Hands-on experience designing and shipping agentic AI systems (LLM agents, tool use, multi-step workflows) to production.
• Preferred Experience
• Experience in financial services or a related regulated industry.
• Familiarity with Salesforce integrations and data workflows.
• Experience with Amazon SageMaker, Azure Machine Learning, Google Vertex AI, or similar enterprise AI/ML platforms.
• Experience with voice AI or conversational AI for telephony platforms.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Expert Python skills and a track record of writing production-quality, well-tested code.
• Strong SQL proficiency (Snowflake preferred) for data preparation and model enablement workflows.
• Deep understanding of LLMs, RAG architectures, vector databases, prompt engineering, and agent frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Agent SDK, or similar).
• Strong grounding in classical ML, including supervised and unsupervised learning, time series, anomaly detection, and NLP.
• Experience with MLOps and LLMOps tooling, including model registries, experiment tracking, evaluation frameworks, and monitoring.
• Experience deploying models and services via APIs using tools such as FastAPI and Docker, with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience with version control (e.g., Git) and CI/CD practices.
• Ability to influence without authority and build consensus across teams with different priorities.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex architecture to executive and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience applying an AI-first approach to development, using AI coding assistants and agentic tools to accelerate delivery.
• Preferred Skills
• Knowledge of AI governance, model risk management, and responsible AI practices.
• Exposure to collaborative tools such as JIRA and Miro.

National Debt Relief Role Qualifications:

• Computer competency and ability to work with a computer.
• Prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Punctuality expected, ready to report to work on a consistent basis.
• Attain and maintain high performance expectations on a monthly basis.
• Work in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
• Use and navigate multiple computer systems with exceptional multi-tasking skills.
• Remain calm and professional during difficult discussions.
• Take constructive feedback.
• Available for full-time position.

Compensation Information

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for each position across the US. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This good faith pay range is provided in compliance with NYC law and the laws of other jurisdictions that may require a salary range in job postings. The salary for this position is $180,000 to $207,000 annually.

About National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief was founded in 2009 with the goal of helping an expanding number of consumers deal with overwhelming debt. We are one of the most-trusted and best-rated consumer debt relief providers in the United States. As a leading debt settlement organization, we have helped over 450,000 people settle over $10 billion of debt, while empowering them to lead a healthier financial lifestyle and feel free to live their best life. At National Debt Relief, we treat our clients like real people. Our purpose is to elevate, empower, and transform their lives.

Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, our goal is to help individuals and families get out of debt with the least possible cost through conducting financial consultations, educating the consumer and recommending the appropriate solution. We become our clients'' number one advocate to help them reestablish financial stability as quickly as possible.

Want to learn more about who we are? Connect with us on social!

Benefits

National Debt Relief is a team-oriented environment full of rewards and growth opportunities for our employees. We are dedicated to our employee''s success and growth within the company, through our employee mentorship and leadership programs.

Our extensive benefits package includes:

• Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off, Sick Days, and Vacation
• 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Pre-tax Transit Benefits
• No-Cost Life Insurance Benefits
• Voluntary Benefits Options
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Discount
• Wellness Incentive Program

National Debt Relief is a certified Great Place to Work!

National Debt Relief is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

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