AI Architect

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field (preferred) OR e quivalent combination of education and experience required.

Advanced degree (Master's in a technical discipline, or MBA) preferred.

8+ years of progressive experience in solutions architecture, AI/ML engineering, or Microsoft cloud consulting required.

5+ years of experience serving in a technical advisory or client-facing solutions capacity, including solutions architecture, technology consulting, professional services, and/or advising executives and senior stakeholders required.

3+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Power Platform and conversational AI technologies, including experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio (formerly Power Virtual Agents), Azure AI Foundry/Azure OpenAI, and Power Apps, Power Automate and Dataverse required.

1+ years' experience in financial services, banking, or credit unions, or another regulated enterprise environment preferred.

Prior experience architecting solutions for external clients (consulting/professional services background), given this role's client-facing nature preferred.

Copilot Studio design, including multi-agent orchestration, plugins/actions, and grounding.

Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, and RAG pipeline architecture.

Power Platform architecture (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse, Power Pages) and Dynamics 365 integration patterns.

API and systems integration architecture across enterprise platforms and data sources.

Working knowledge of data pipelines and data quality fundamentals required.

Structured discovery — translating ambiguous client requirements into scoped technical solutions.

Executive-level communication, framing outcomes in terms of business value, risk, and ROI rather than technical detail.

Facilitating architecture sessions and leading proof-of-concept efforts with client stakeholders.

Ability to influence without direct authority across client and internal delivery teams.

AI readiness assessment: data governance, compliance, and infrastructure prerequisites for Copilot/agent deployment.

Security and multi-tenant data governance for client-facing AI solutions.

Responsible AI principles, including bias, explainability, and human-in-the-loop design required.

Building reusable components and frameworks across client engagements, rather than one-off solutions.

Mentoring engineers and developers in AI/automation best practices.

Technical documentation and architecture-decision communication to senior client and internal stakeholders

Hands-on expertise with Microsoft Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and Power Platform across multiple client environments.

Microsoft Power Platform Solution Architect (PL-600), Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) required (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire).

Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102), or emerging AI-governance credentials such as ISO/IEC 42001 preferred.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

For additional information about our organization, careers, and benefits visit: http://www.desertfinancial.com/careers.

Location: Phoenix

Job Type: Hybrid (mostly remote)

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