Azure AI Data Architect

Perficient is a global AI-first consultancy. Our team of strategists, designers, technologists, and engineers partners with the world’s most innovative enterprises and admired brands to deliver real business results through the transformative power of AI. As part of our AI-First strategy, we empower every employee to build AI fluency and actively engage with AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency. We break boundaries, obsess over outcomes, and shape the future for our clients. Join a company where bold ideas and brilliant minds converge to redefine what’s possible - while building a career filled with growth, balance, and purpose.

We are seeking an experienced Azure AI Data Architect to lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale data and AI solutions on Microsoft Azure. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in cloud data architecture, modern data platforms, analytics, machine learning, and generative AI technologies. This role will partner with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and leadership to develop scalable, secure, and cost-effective data and AI ecosystems that enable advanced analytics and intelligent business solutions.

Job Overview

The Solutions Architect is expected to be knowledgeable in two or more technologies within the Data & Analytics domain. The Solutions Architect may or may not have a programming background, but will have expert infrastructure architecture, client presales / presentation, team management and thought leadership skills.
 
You will provide best-fit architectural solutions for one or more projects; you will assist in defining scope and sizing of work; and anchor Proof of Concept developments. You will provide solution architecture for business problems, perform platform integration with third party services, and design and develop complex features for clients' business needs. 

You will collaborate with some of the best talent in the industry to create and implement innovative high quality solutions, participate in Sales and various pursuits focused on our clients' business needs. You will also contribute in a variety of roles in thought leadership, mentorship, systems analysis, architecture, design, configuration, testing, debugging, and documentation. You will challenge your leading edge solutions, consultative and business skills through the diversity of work in multiple industry domains.
 

About Us

The Perficient Data & Analytics Solutions organization supports a wide variety of clients, technologies, and applications. Our Team members drive innovation in the arena of data and analytics solutions. We work on innovative digital transformation deployment for various clients across the globe. We had explosive growth in the last few years to meet the demands of a massive transition to digital with an AI First approach. Our practice groups include Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Content Management, Data Governance, Data Management, Data Strategy and Search.

Perficient is always looking for the best and brightest talent and we need you! We’re a quickly growing, global digital consulting leader, and we’re transforming the world’s largest enterprises and biggest brands. You’ll work with the latest technologies, expand your skills, and become a part of our global community of talented, diverse, and knowledgeable colleagues.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Analytics, or Cloud Solutions Architecture.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Proven experience architecting enterprise-scale data platforms including Data Lakes, Data Warehouses, and Lakehouse architectures.
• Strong expertise in Azure Data Services including Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL, and Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
• Experience designing and implementing AI/ML and Generative AI solutions using Azure AI Services, Azure Machine Learning, Azure OpenAI, and Azure AI Foundry.
• Strong hands-on programming skills in Python, SQL, Spark, and PySpark.
• Experience implementing Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, prompt engineering, and LLM-based applications.
• Deep understanding of data modeling, ETL/ELT frameworks, data integration patterns, and real-time data processing.
• Experience with cloud security, governance, privacy, and compliance frameworks, including Microsoft Purview and Azure security services.
• Strong knowledge of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep, or ARM Templates), and MLOps.
• Experience leading architecture reviews, technical design discussions, and mentoring engineering teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage executives, business leaders, and technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Fabric and enterprise analytics modernization initiatives.
• Experience building production-grade GenAI applications and AI copilots.
• Knowledge of Responsible AI, AI Governance, and AI Risk Management practices.
• Experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), containerization, and microservices architecture.
• Industry experience in Financial Services, Healthcare, Energy, Manufacturing, or Retail.
• Consulting or client-facing architecture experience preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)
• Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600)
• Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional (preferred)

Perficient, Inc. proudly provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Perficient, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Perficient, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or covered veterans. Improper interference with the ability of Perficient, Inc. employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.​

Disability Accommodations: Perficient is committed to providing a barrier-free employment process with reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.​

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the posting is removed.​

The salary range for this position takes into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, level of experience, applicable office location, training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The new hire salary range displays the minimum and maximum salary targets for this position across all US locations, and the range has not been adjusted for any specific state differentials. It is not typical for a candidate to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the unique facts and circumstances regarding each candidate. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range for this position is $81,978 to $178,090. Please note that the salary range posted reflects the base salary only and does not include benefits or any potential variable compensation programs. Information regarding the benefits available for this position are in our benefits overview. 

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Data Architecture & Strategy

• Design and implement enterprise-scale data platforms leveraging Azure cloud services.
• Define data architecture standards, governance frameworks, and best practices.
• Develop scalable data lake, lakehouse, and data warehouse architectures.
• Design robust data integration, ingestion, transformation, and orchestration frameworks.

AI & Advanced Analytics

• Architect AI and machine learning solutions using Azure AI services and Azure Machine Learning.
• Design and implement Generative AI solutions leveraging Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Foundry.
• Establish MLOps and AI governance frameworks for model deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with data scientists and AI engineers to operationalize predictive and generative AI solutions.

Cloud Platform Leadership

• Provide architectural leadership for Azure-based modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging Azure Data and AI technologies and recommend adoption strategies.
• Ensure high availability, scalability, security, and performance of enterprise data platforms.
• Drive cloud cost optimization and operational excellence initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Translate business requirements into technical architecture solutions.
• Present architectural recommendations and roadmaps to executive leadership.
• Mentor engineering teams and establish architecture best practices.
• Lead architecture reviews and participate in strategic planning discussions.