Principal Data & AI Architect

“Are you passionate about designing innovative Azure-based Data & AI solutions, driving dynamic strategic roadmaps, and leading high-impact projects?”

As a Principal Data & AI Architect, you will play a pivotal role in enabling customers to leverage Microsoft cloud-based Data & AI technologies to achieve their strategic goals. You will act as a trusted advisor, helping customers design, implement, and optimize cloud architectures that transform their businesses.

This role spans presales, solution design, and technical oversight, making you a key figure in delivering customer success and innovation.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and deliver strategic Data & AI roadmaps – Work closely with customers to align their business goals with the latest technology solutions. Define long-term strategies for AI, analytics, and cloud-based data platforms.
• Lead presales engagements – Act as a technical expert, collaborating with sales teams to craft tailored Azure-based Data & AI solutions that meet customer needs. Present solutions and guide decision-makers.
• Oversee technical delivery and implementation – Provide hands-on technical leadership, ensuring best practices in architecture, security, governance, and performance. Ensure seamless deployment of solutions.
• Drive solution ideation and design – Lead innovation workshops, conceptualize advanced AI, data analytics, and cloud solutions, and translate business challenges into scalable architectures.
• Ensure customer success – Act as a trusted advisor, guiding customers through their digital transformation journey with clear, actionable insights.
• Provide thought leadership – Stay ahead of industry trends, contribute to publications, forums, and conferences, and help position Cloud Direct as a leader in Data & AI.

What We’re Looking For:

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, solution design, or data engineering, with a strong focus on Data & AI.
• Expertise in Microsoft Azure Data & AI Services, including Azure Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, SQL Server, AI/ML.
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, compliance, and enterprise architecture best practices.
• Experience with cloud migration, transformation strategies, and hybrid cloud architectures.
• Knowledge of real-time and batch data processing (Streaming Data, IoT, API, Databases within Azure).
• Experience with Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption and Well-Architected Frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale, customer-facing projects and work with executive sponsors to define strategic visions and architectures.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to engage with both technical teams and business stakeholders.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, Azure DevOps, and Agile methodologies.

What We Offer:

• Responsible Time off (uncapped annual leave)
• Fitness Cash Contribution
• Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness, and Income Protection.
• Birthday lunches, a Fun Fund, and more.

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.