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About This Role
Req ID: 375661
NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward\-thinking organization, apply now.
We are currently seeking a AI Architect to join our team in Dallas, Texas (US\-TX), United States (US).
Job Title: AI Architect
Experience level: 10 \+ years
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced AI Architect to design and lead enterprise\-scale AI, ML, and Generative AI solutions built on AWS and Azure as the core AI foundation, with Microsoft Copilot as the primary user experience layer. The role is responsible for designing the end\-to\-end AI solution architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise systems, scalability, and governance standards while integrating AI into the broader IT landscape. It requires deep expertise in RAG (Retrieval\-Augmented Generation) and Agentic AI architecture on cloud\-native platforms, enabling intelligent, scalable, and production\-ready AI systems after understanding the current product architecture. The candidate should also be able to conduct POCs to demonstrate proof of design considerations.
Platform Enablement Roles
- AI Platform Admin (M365, copilot Studio) Manages AI platforms and environments, including access provisioning, governance controls, and policy enforcement (e.g., DLP, security, and compliance).
- AI Reusable Utility Develops reusable components (e.g., prompts, connectors, APIs, templates) to accelerate AI solution delivery and promote standardization across use cases.
- AI Common Infrastructure, Framework Observability Architect (AWS and Azure) Designs and maintains the foundational AI infrastructure, frameworks, and observability capabilities (telemetry, monitoring, metrics) required for scalable, reliable, and governed AI operations.
Core Responsibilities
- Architectural Design: Define the end\-to\-end blueprints spanning data ingestion, model training, inference, and continuous monitoring. design end\-to\-end artificial intelligence solutions ensuring models scale efficiently align with enterprise systems and meet governance standards. They act as the vital bridge linking theoretical AI models built by data scientists with production\-ready, secure applications integrated into the broader IT landscape.
- Enterprise Integration: Seamlessly embed AI/ML features and multi\-agent workflows into legacy applications, ERPs, and cloud\-native systems.
- Governance Compliance: Implement ethical AI guardrails, model risk management, data privacy protections and explainability standards.
- Scalability MLOps: Establish CI/CD for AI, model versioning, automated retraining, and drift detection to prevent performance degradation.
- Tech Stack Strategy: Make crucial "build vs. buy" decisions for infrastructure, weighing tradeoffs of on\-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.
- Leadership Collaboration:
- Serve as a technical thought leader for AI, GenAI, and data platforms.
- Mentor data scientists, ML engineers, and data engineers.
- Collaborate with business and product teams to translate requirements into AI\-driven solutions.
- Evaluate emerging AI technologies and guide strategic adoption.
- AI, ML GenAI Architecture
- Design and define end\-to\-end AI solution architectures covering data ingestion, model training, deployment, monitoring, and governance, ensuring alignment with enterprise systems and IT landscape while meeting scalability and governance standards.
- Design scalable, cloud\-native AI platforms on AWS and Azure.
- Architect solutions for both batch and real\-time inference workloads.
- RAG (Retrieval\-Augmented Generation)
- Architect and implement RAG pipelines using structured and unstructured enterprise data.
- Design ingestion, chunking, embedding, and retrieval strategies for RAG systems.
- Integrate vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, FAISS, Milvus, Azure AI Search, Amazon OpenSearch).
- Ensure relevance, freshness, observability, and security of RAG\-based AI systems.
- Agentic AI Autonomous Systems
- Design Agentic AI architecture enabling autonomous decision\-making and task execution.
- Orchestrate multi\-agent systems using tools, memory, and reasoning workflows.
- Implement guardrails, human\-in\-the\-loop controls, and observability for agent\-based systems.
- Enable enterprise use cases such as AI assistants, Microsoft Copilot\-integrated workflows, task automation, and decision intelligence.
- MLOps LLMOps
- Define and implement MLOps / LLMOps frameworks for CI/CD, versioning, monitoring, and drift detection.
- Enable experimentation, evaluation, and governance of ML models and LLM\-based systems.
- Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and responsible AI guidelines.
- Cloud Platform Engineering
- Architect AI solutions on AWS and Azure as the primary cloud platforms, integrating Microsoft Copilot as the enterprise user experience layer.
- Integrate AI platforms with enterprise applications, APIs, and data sources.
- Design highly available, secure, and scalable AI systems.
Required Skills
- Engineering Foundation: 7\+ years of deep knowledge of MLOps, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines.
- Cloud Platforms: 5\+ years of advanced expertise in deploying on major hyperscalers like AWS Machine Learning, Azure AI, or Google Vertex AI.
- Data Management: 5\+ years of Proficiency in designing feature stores, vector databases, and real\-time/batch data pipelines.
- AI/ML Frameworks: 3 to 5 years of familiarity with concepts like Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, Retrieval\-Augmented Generation (RAG), and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
\#LI\-NorthAmerica
About NTT DATA
NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100\. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise\-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start\-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in RD.
Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in\-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact\-us.
NTT DATA endeavors to make https://us.nttdata.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact\-us. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. NTT DATA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here. For Pay Transparency information, please click here.
Role Details
About This Role
This role sits at the intersection of AI and engineering, building systems that bring machine learning capabilities into production environments. The scope varies by company, but the common thread is applying AI technology to solve real business problems at scale. Most AI roles today require a combination of software engineering fundamentals and domain-specific ML knowledge, with the exact mix depending on the team's maturity and the product they're building.
The AI job market is evolving fast. New role categories emerge as companies figure out what they need to ship AI-powered products. What matters most is the ability to learn quickly, build working systems, and iterate based on real-world performance data. The specific title matters less than the skills you bring and the problems you can solve. Companies are past the experimentation phase and want engineers who can deliver production-quality systems that work reliably at scale.
Across the 4,133 AI roles we're tracking, AI Architect positions make up 1% of the market. At NTT DATA, this role fits into their broader AI and engineering organization.
AI hiring keeps growing across industries. Companies in tech, finance, healthcare, and retail are all building AI teams. The strongest demand is for people who can bridge the gap between AI research and production engineering. The shift toward generative AI has created new role types (LLM Engineer, Prompt Engineer, AI Agent Developer) that didn't exist three years ago, while traditional roles (Data Scientist, ML Engineer) have evolved to incorporate LLM capabilities.
What the Work Looks Like
Day-to-day work involves a mix of building, debugging, and collaborating. You'll write code, review pull requests, participate in design discussions, and work with cross-functional teams (product, design, data) to define what AI features should do and how they should behave. Expect to spend time on both technical implementation and communication. Most AI teams operate in two-week sprint cycles, with regular demos and retrospectives. The ratio of heads-down coding to meetings and reviews varies by seniority, with senior roles spending more time on architecture decisions and mentorship.
AI hiring keeps growing across industries. Companies in tech, finance, healthcare, and retail are all building AI teams. The strongest demand is for people who can bridge the gap between AI research and production engineering. The shift toward generative AI has created new role types (LLM Engineer, Prompt Engineer, AI Agent Developer) that didn't exist three years ago, while traditional roles (Data Scientist, ML Engineer) have evolved to incorporate LLM capabilities.
Skills Required
Python and cloud platform experience are common requirements. Specific skill needs vary by company and focus area, but familiarity with ML frameworks, data pipelines, and API design covers the basics for most roles. RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), vector databases, and LLM API integration are increasingly standard requirements across role types.
Beyond the core stack, communication skills matter more than many technical candidates realize. The ability to explain AI capabilities and limitations to non-technical stakeholders is a differentiator at every level. Technical writing, documentation, and clear thinking about tradeoffs are underrated skills in AI roles. Experience with evaluation methodology (how to measure whether an AI system is working well) is becoming a core requirement, especially for roles that involve LLM integration.
Look for job postings that specify the problems you'll work on, the tech stack, and the team structure. Vague postings that list every AI buzzword are often a sign the company hasn't figured out what they need. Strong postings describe the product context, the team you'd join, and the specific challenges you'd tackle.
Compensation Benchmarks
AI Architect roles pay a median of $215,000 based on 115 positions with disclosed compensation. Mid-level AI roles across all categories have a median of $165,778.
Across all AI roles, the market median is $200,700. Top-quartile compensation starts at $254,000. The 90th percentile reaches $307,500. For comparison, the highest-paying categories include AI Safety ($274,200) and AI Engineering Manager ($268,700). By seniority level: Entry: $97,760; Mid: $165,778; Senior: $227,400; Director: $250,000; VP: $250,000.
NTT DATA AI Hiring
NTT DATA has 10 open AI roles right now. They're hiring across AI/ML Engineer, AI Architect. Positions span Plano, TX, US, Dallas, TX, US, Atlanta, GA, US. Compensation range: $221K - $359K.
Location Context
Across all AI roles, 14% (583 positions) offer remote work, while 3,532 require on-site attendance. Top AI hiring metros: New York (2,760 roles, $211,000 median); San Francisco (2,258 roles, $253,000 median); Los Angeles (1,841 roles, $195,000 median).
Career Path
Common paths into AI Architect roles include Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst.
From here, career progression typically leads toward Senior Engineer, AI Architect, Engineering Manager, Principal Engineer.
Focus on building things that work. A deployed project that solves a real problem is worth more than any certification. Contribute to open-source, build portfolio projects, and invest in fundamentals (software engineering, statistics, systems design) rather than chasing the latest framework. The AI field moves fast, but the engineers who succeed long-term are the ones with strong fundamentals who can adapt to new tools and paradigms as they emerge.
What to Expect in Interviews
AI interviews typically combine coding challenges (Python-focused), system design questions tailored to the role, and discussions about your experience with relevant tools and frameworks. Strong candidates demonstrate both technical depth and the ability to make pragmatic engineering tradeoffs. Prepare portfolio projects that demonstrate end-to-end capability rather than isolated skills.
When evaluating opportunities: Look for job postings that specify the problems you'll work on, the tech stack, and the team structure. Vague postings that list every AI buzzword are often a sign the company hasn't figured out what they need. Strong postings describe the product context, the team you'd join, and the specific challenges you'd tackle.
AI Hiring Overview
The AI job market has 4,133 open positions tracked in our dataset. By seniority: 106 entry-level, 1,901 mid-level, 1,663 senior, and 463 leadership roles (Director, VP, C-Level). Remote roles make up 14% of the market (583 positions). The remaining 3,532 roles require on-site or hybrid attendance.
The market median for AI roles is $200,700. Top-quartile compensation starts at $254,000. The 90th percentile reaches $307,500. Highest-paying categories: AI Safety ($274,200 median, 57 roles); AI Engineering Manager ($268,700 median, 42 roles); Research Engineer ($260,000 median, 442 roles).
AI hiring keeps growing across industries. Companies in tech, finance, healthcare, and retail are all building AI teams. The strongest demand is for people who can bridge the gap between AI research and production engineering. The shift toward generative AI has created new role types (LLM Engineer, Prompt Engineer, AI Agent Developer) that didn't exist three years ago, while traditional roles (Data Scientist, ML Engineer) have evolved to incorporate LLM capabilities.
The AI Job Market Today
The AI job market spans 4,133 open positions across 15 role categories. The largest categories by volume: AI/ML Engineer (2,865), Data Scientist (339), AI Software Engineer (313). These three account for the majority of open positions, though smaller categories often have higher per-role compensation because of specialized skill requirements.
The seniority mix tells a story about where AI teams are in their maturity. Entry-level roles (106) are outnumbered by mid-level (1,901) and senior (1,663) positions, reflecting that most companies are past the 'build a team from scratch' phase and need experienced engineers who can ship production systems. Leadership roles (Director, VP, C-Level) total 463 positions, representing the bottleneck between technical execution and organizational strategy.
Remote work availability sits at 14% of all AI roles (583 positions), with 3,532 requiring on-site or hybrid attendance. The remote share has stabilized after the post-pandemic correction. Senior and specialized roles (Research Scientist, ML Architect) are more likely to be remote-eligible than entry-level positions, partly because experienced hires have more negotiating power and partly because these roles require less hands-on mentorship.
AI compensation is structured in clear tiers. The market median sits at $200,700. Top-quartile roles start at $254,000, and the 90th percentile reaches $307,500. These figures include base salary with disclosed compensation. Total compensation (including equity, bonuses, and sign-on) runs 20-40% higher at companies that offer those components.
Category matters for compensation. AI Safety roles lead at $274,200 median, while Prompt Engineer roles sit at $140,000. The spread between highest and lowest-paying categories reflects the premium on specialized technical skills versus broader analytical roles.
The most in-demand skills across all AI postings: Python (2,128 postings), Aws (1,324 postings), Azure (1,003 postings), Rag (916 postings), Gcp (817 postings), Pytorch (655 postings), Prompt Engineering (639 postings), Claude (571 postings). Python dominates, appearing in the vast majority of role descriptions regardless of category. Cloud platform experience (AWS, GCP, Azure) is the second most common requirement. The newer entrants to the top skills list (RAG, vector databases, LLM APIs) reflect the shift from traditional ML toward generative AI applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
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