VP, AI Solutions Architect
$163,000–$263,062 year
HybridNew York, United States
Job Summary
Design end-to-end AI and agentic solutions that meet enterprise requirements for scalability, security, and performance, creating reference architectures and blueprints for use cases like customer service and analytics automation. Define integration approaches and APIs connecting AI services to platforms such as Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, Databricks, and Snowflake. Guide the evolution of the AI platform by building reusable components, accelerators, and templates while establishing standards for agent orchestration, evaluation, and responsible AI. Lead hands-on prototyping, proofs of concept, and technical hackathons with clients and internal teams to pioneer solutions positioning Merkle at the forefront of enterprise AI adoption. Advise clients on technology selection and implementation strategies, running technical discovery to assess current state and de-risk delivery. Collaborate with Technology Strategy, Data Science, Security, and Practice teams to align AI solutions with enterprise roadmaps.
Required Qualifications
- 12+ years of progressive experience in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, software engineering, or technical consulting
- at least 3 years designing and delivering production generative AI/LLM systems
- Hands-on experience building agentic systems with modern orchestration frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, Microsoft Agent Framework, OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Agent SDK, CrewAI)
- Working knowledge of LLM evaluation and observability practices and tooling (e.g., LangSmith, Arize, Braintrust), plus RAG and vector search patterns
- Strong background in cloud-native architectures and modern engineering practices (e.g., containers, microservices, CI/CD, DevOps)
- Ability to translate business goals into scalable, secure architectures and to communicate trade-offs to diverse stakeholders
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C#, TypeScript/JavaScript)
- Understanding of API design, event-driven integration, MCP, and production monitoring/observability
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- Location: This is a full-time position based in the United States with flexible work arrangements
- Hybrid Options (3 days in office): New York, NY Chicago, IL Detroit, MI
- Remote: US-based remote candidates welcome to apply
- Travel: 30-40% travel to client sites and Merkle offices required
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with managed cloud AI and agent platforms (e.g., Microsoft Foundry (formerly Azure AI Foundry), AWS Bedrock and AgentCore, Google Gemini Enterprise/Vertex AI)
- Platform expertise with Adobe Experience Cloud (AEM, AEP, GenStudio, AEP Agent Orchestrator), Salesforce (Agentforce, Data Cloud), Braze, Shopify, Marketplacer, or similar
- Classical ML depth (e.g., PyTorch, predictive modeling, MLOps) alongside generative AI experience
- Experience building technical practices and communities of practice and mentoring senior technical talent
- Record of thought leadership (publishing, speaking, open-source contributions)
- Relevant certifications in AI/ML, cloud, or enterprise architecture are a plus
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