Software Architect - Artificial Intelligence

Position Overview

The AI Contractor will provide technical expertise to support the evaluation, design, and responsible implementation of artificial intelligence solutions across state agencies.

The consultant will work closely with Client AI Center of Excellence to evaluate AI use cases, platforms, tools, models, and vendors; develop secure and reusable AI architectures; build prototypes; conduct feasibility assessments; and support statewide AI validation and approval processes.

The role will also assist agencies in identifying AI opportunities, understanding associated risks, and implementing AI strategies aligned with organizational objectives, security requirements, privacy standards, and statewide governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of AI strategies aligned with organisational goals and objectives.
• Contribute to the statewide AI use-case and vendor review/approval process, ensuring compliance with established operational, security, privacy, and governance requirements.
• Support the adoption and standardisation of AI processes, frameworks, and best practices.
• Provide technical expertise to the State's AI Center of Excellence.
• Design secure AI architectures and develop reusable technical patterns for enterprise and government use.
• Develop AI use cases, prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and feasibility assessments.
• Assist agencies with responsible implementation and adoption of AI solutions.
• Evaluate AI products, platforms, models, tools, and services against established technical and business criteria.
• Establish proof-of-concept success criteria and evaluate AI solutions based on measurable outcomes.
• Define AI use-case KPIs, success criteria, production monitoring metrics, and operational measures.
• Develop dashboards and reports covering AI adoption, performance, cost, risk, and operational outcomes.
• Design and implement AI agents and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions.
• Integrate AI capabilities with Microsoft Azure and AWS environments.
• Use AI-assisted coding tools to accelerate software development, testing, debugging, and documentation.
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies, platforms, models, architectures, and responsible AI practices.
• Provide technical guidance, knowledge transfer, documentation, and presentations to stakeholders.
• Support complex, enterprise-level AI initiatives across state agencies and government entities.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate relevant professional experience in the following areas:

• 1+ year of proven experience establishing proof-of-concept success criteria and evaluating AI solutions against defined criteria.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and comparable Generative AI platforms.
• 2+ years of experience designing and implementing AI agents and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions.
• 1+ year of experience using AI-assisted coding tools for development, testing, debugging, and documentation.
• 1+ year of experience defining AI use-case success criteria, KPIs, and production monitoring measures.
• 1+ year of experience building dashboards and reporting for AI adoption, performance, cost, risk, and operational outcomes.
• 1+ year of hands-on experience integrating AI capabilities with Microsoft Azure and AWS.
• Strong communication, presentation, and knowledge-transfer skills.
• Advanced technical and business report-writing capabilities.
• Experience working on complex technical or enterprise projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in multiple programming languages and software development principles.
• Familiarity with Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and foundational AI/ML concepts.
• Knowledge of Transformer architectures and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
• Familiarity with image classification and time-series data.
• Experience with data storage, retrieval, transformation, cleansing, and data management techniques.
• Understanding of responsible AI, security, privacy, governance, and enterprise AI implementation practices.
• Experience working with government, public-sector, or highly regulated environments is a plus.

Education

Required:

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related discipline.