Principal Architect - Microsoft AI, Copilot & Azure Stack

Principal / Distinguished Architect – Microsoft AI, Copilot & Azure Stack 

Role Summary 

We are seeking a very senior Microsoft AI & Azure Architect to lead the design, delivery, and governance of large-scale AI solutions for enterprise customers. This role combines deep hands-on technical leadership with people and stakeholder management, including managing senior AI technical leaders embedded in customer environments. 

The ideal candidate will be a trusted advisor to CXOs, a hands-on architect for complex AI platforms, and a mentor who can scale high-performing AI engineering and architecture teams across multiple customer engagements. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. AI & Cloud Architecture Leadership 

• Own end-to-end architecture for AI-driven solutions built on Microsoft Azure, spanning data, AI/ML, GenAI, security, and enterprise integration. 
• Define reference architectures, blueprints, and guardrails for AI solutions aligned to Microsoft best practices. 
• Lead solutioning for GenAI, Copilot, and AI platform modernization initiatives. 
• Review and approve high-risk or business-critical architecture decisions across customer programs. 

2. Microsoft Copilot & GenAI Enablement 

• Architect and govern enterprise adoption of: 
• Microsoft Copilot (M365, Security, Dynamics, Power Platform) 
• Custom Copilots using Copilot Studio 
• Azure OpenAI Service (GPT, Embeddings, Assistants) 
• AI Foundry 
• Design Responsible AI and enterprise-grade governance models for Copilot and GenAI usage. 
• Drive advanced use cases such as: 
• Enterprise knowledge assistants 
• Agentic workflows (multi-agent systems) 
• RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) 
• Automation with Copilot + Power Platform + Azure AI 

3. Azure AI & Data Platform Architecture 

• Design and lead solutions using: 
• Azure OpenAI Service 
• Azure AI Studio & Azure AI Search 
• Azure Machine Learning (ML Ops, pipelines, model lifecycle) 
• Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Fabric, Databricks 
• Architect scalable AI platforms with strong focus on: 
• Security, privacy, and compliance 
• Performance, cost optimization, and reliability 
• Data governance and lineage 

4. Engineering Excellence & MLOps 

• Define and enforce MLOps / LLMOps standards: 
• CI/CD for ML and GenAI 
• Model versioning, evaluation, and monitoring 
• Prompt management and experimentation 
• Ensure observability for AI systems including: 
• Model drift 
• Hallucination and quality metrics 
• Cost and token usage optimization 

5. Customer & Stakeholder Leadership 

• Act as Chief Architect / AI Advisor for strategic customers. 
• Lead architecture discussions with CXOs, CIOs, CTOs, and CDOs. 
• Translate business problems into scalable AI architectures and roadmaps. 
• Partner with sales and pre-sales teams on: 
• Deal shaping 
• Technical due diligence 
• RFP and solution defenses 

6. People & Community Leadership 

• Lead and mentor senior AI architects and technical leaders deployed in customer environments. 
• Build and grow AI architecture communities of practice. 
• Conduct architecture reviews, design boards, and technical escalations. 
• Coach leaders on customer engagement, technical depth, and executive communication. 

Required Technical Expertise 

Core Microsoft Stack (Must-Have) 

• Microsoft Azure (Expert Level) 
• Azure Networking, Security, Identity (Entra ID) 
• Azure Landing Zones & Enterprise Scale Architecture 
• Azure AI & GenAI 
• Azure OpenAI Service 
• Azure AI Studio, AI Search 
• Prompt engineering and RAG patterns 
• Microsoft Copilot Ecosystem 
• M365 Copilot architecture and extensibility 
• Copilot Studio (custom copilots, plugins, connectors) 
• Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse) 

Data, ML & Platform Engineering 

• Azure Machine Learning (training, inference, pipelines) 
• Data platforms: Azure Fabric, Synapse, Databricks 
• MLOps / LLMOps frameworks and best practices 
• API and integration architecture (REST, event-driven, microservices) 

Security & Responsible AI 

• AI security patterns: 
• Prompt injection mitigation 
• Data leakage prevention 
• RBAC and identity-driven access 
• Responsible AI principles: 
• Fairness, transparency, explainability 
• Compliance (GDPR, SOC2, ISO, etc.) 

Experience & Qualifications 

• 15+ years of overall technology experience. 
• 8–10+ years in enterprise architecture or principal architect roles. 
• Proven experience delivering large-scale AI / GenAI solutions for global enterprises. 
• Strong background in Microsoft ecosystem (Azure-first). 
• Experience managing senior architects and technical leaders. 
• Prior role as Chief Architect, Distinguished Engineer, or Principal Architect preferred. 

Leadership & Soft Skills 

• Executive-level communication and storytelling skills. 
• Strong customer-facing presence and credibility. 
• Ability to balance hands-on depth with strategic vision. 
• Mentorship mindset with passion for building leaders. 
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, high-impact environments. 

Certifications (Highly Desirable) 

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert 
• Azure AI Engineer Associate / Expert 
• Microsoft Copilot / Power Platform certifications 
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification 

Why Join Us 

• Opportunity to shape AI transformation at scale for global enterprises. 
• Work on cutting-edge Microsoft Copilot and GenAI programs. 
• Lead and influence senior AI leaders across customers. 
• Build next-generation AI platforms and industry solutions. 

This role is ideal for a seasoned architect who wants to operate at the intersection of technology, leadership, and enterprise-scale AI transformation.