Solution Architect

About This Role

Blackford Technologies is expanding its AI & Data Practice and is looking for a skilled Solution Architect to design and deliver scalable, secure, and production-ready AI solutions.

The ideal candidate will bridge business requirements with technical execution, ensuring optimal architecture, performance, cost efficiency, and responsible AI practices across the full lifecycle from discovery to deployment.

Requirements

• Translate business requirements into scalable AI/ML solution architectures and technical designs
• Define and implement reference architectures for AI/ML workloads
• Lead end-to-end solution design, including data pipelines, model development, integration, and deployment
• Support PoCs, pilots, and production deployments, ensuring scalability and reliability
• Collaborate with product, data, and engineering teams to align solutions with business goals
• Evaluate and recommend tools, platforms, and frameworks (build vs buy decisions)
• Ensure solutions meet security, compliance, and governance standards
• Drive best practices across MLOps, CI/CD, and cloud architecture

Technical Skills & Stack

• Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP
• AI/ML Tools: Azure ML, Databricks, MLflow
• Frameworks: Hugging Face Transformers, LangChain
• Programming: Python, FastAPI
• DevOps & Tools: Docker, Git
• Data Technologies: Elasticsearch
• Core Areas: Solution Architecture, MLOps, CI/CD, Security, Networking

Core Competencies

• Strong communication and business storytelling skills
• Stakeholder management and collaboration
• Problem-solving and structured thinking
• Ownership and accountability
• Ability to influence and align cross-functional teams

Background & Experience

• Experience designing end-to-end AI solutions across data platforms, model development, and product integration
• Strong understanding of LLMs, traditional ML, retrieval techniques, evaluation, and responsible AI
• Hands-on experience with cloud-based architectures and scalable systems
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and roadmaps

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or a related field
• Advanced degrees (PhD) are a plus