Principal Data & AI Architect

• Location(s):
• Chicago, IL, US, 60654
Austin, TX, US, 78701

RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area: IT / Digital
Remuneration: Exempt

The AI/Data Platform Architect is a hands-on technical role responsible for designing and implementing the end-to-end architecture that enables secure, scalable, and production-grade AI and data solutions across the enterprise. This role translates business and AI product requirements into production-ready technical designs, ensuring interoperability, reliability, reusability, and alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI standards.

Role Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and maintain the target-state architecture for the enterprise AI and data platform, including cloud infrastructure, data pipelines, MLOps workflows, model deployment, and monitoring frameworks
• Architect solutions involving advanced AI patterns such as RAG frameworks, vector databases, agentic workflows, MCP-based integrations, and predictive models
• Define architectural standards, integration patterns, and reusable design principles that enable scalable, modular, and maintainable AI solution development
• Partner with product teams, data engineers, and IT/OT to translate use case requirements into robust, production-ready technical designs
• Evaluate and recommend technologies, tools, and frameworks to support evolving AI, data, and analytics capabilities
• Provide technical leadership and oversight during implementation, conducting architecture reviews and resolving complex design challenges
• Ensure all designs align with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI policies

Job Requirements and Experiences:

• Master’s or PhD degree in computer science, data science, STEM, or related field required
• Minimum 11 years of professional experience with minimum 5 years of experience in platform architecture, cloud architecture, data engineering, or related technology roles within enterprise environments, including at least 5 years of hands-on experience in AI/ML engineering or data architecture roles, with demonstrated ability to design and deliver production-grade AI solutions in enterprise or cloud-native environments
• Deep hands-on expertise in AI/ML engineering, including experience building and deploying models, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure
• Prior experience architecting solutions involving RAG frameworks, vector databases, prompt engineering, agentic workflows, and predictive models
• Strong systems thinking with the ability to design scalable, secure, and modular architectures across data and AI layers
• Working knowledge of data engineering fundamentals: data modeling, pipeline orchestration, and data quality
• Understanding of data governance, cybersecurity, and responsible AI design principles
• Ability to translate business requirements into clear architectural blueprints and technical standards
• Clear, structured communication skills to engage both technical teams and senior stakeholders effectively
• Advanced problem-solving skills in complex, distributed technical environments
• This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other RWE Americas office and field locations
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois is $155,000- $200,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

Apply with just a few clicks: ad code 92012. Any questions? Contact HR: rwe_americas_recruiting@rwe.com

We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE’s 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates approximately 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work. Learn more about how RWE Americas is generating impact at americas.rwe.com.

At RWE Americas, we foster a culture defined by our Essential Behaviors – Have Courage, Create Impact and Actively Collaborate. We encourage bold thinking and continuous learning, and we value ownership, resilience and inclusion in everything we do. When you join us, you become part of a team that supports your development, respects your contributions and celebrates shared success. This is a place where you can grow your career and make a meaningful difference.