Principal AI Solutions Architect

Company Overview

Blue Orange Digital is a cloud-based data transformation and predictive analytics development firm with offices in NYC and Washington, DC. From startups to Fortune 500s, we help companies make sense of their business challenges by applying modern data analytics techniques, visualizations, and AI/ML. Founded by engineers, we love passionate technologists and data analysts. Our startup DNA means everyone on the team makes a direct contribution to the growth of the company.

With 250+ production deployments, a 95% strategy-to-build conversion rate, and delivery speeds 3--4x faster than traditional consulting, Blue Orange operates at the cutting edge of generative AI, agentic systems, and machine learning. We are scaling our practice by vertical --- and we need senior technical leaders who can anchor an industry domain with hands-on credibility and client trust.

Position Overview

We are looking for a senior technical IC to serve within a designated industry vertical --- such as financial services, healthcare, private equity, retail, or media. This is a hands-on, client-facing role for someone who architects AI solutions, leads complex technical engagements, and becomes the person clients call when the problem is hard.

The ideal candidate has a career arc similar to our current senior technical leaders: a progression from hands-on data engineering and cloud architecture through AI/ML solution design, evolving into a strategic, client-facing technologist who can go deep with engineering teams and wide with executive stakeholders. You speak the language of both the technology and the industry you serve --- and you bring the credibility that comes from having built and shipped production AI systems, not just advised on them.

Your Growth Path

This role is explicitly designed as an IC-to-practice-lead trajectory. On day one, your job is to be the best solutions architect in your vertical --- winning client trust, delivering exceptional technical work, and building domain expertise that differentiates Blue Orange in the market. Over time, as you accumulate wins and develop relationships, you will have the opportunity to grow into full practice leadership: owning a P&L, building and managing a team, and setting the strategic direction for your vertical.

Your AI-Augmented Workflow

As a Principal at Blue Orange, you will operate with an augmented workflow powered by your own automation suite of AI tools and virtual agents. From client research and architecture documentation to competitive analysis and proposal development, your digital labor force handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most: solving hard technical problems, building client trust, and designing systems that deliver real business impact.

What You'll Do

Technical Solution Leadership

• Architect end-to-end AI solutions for clients in your vertical --- from discovery and requirements through system design, technology selection, and delivery oversight.
• Provide hands-on architectural guidance across AI/ML pipelines, agentic systems, LLM deployments, cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Databricks, Snowflake), and modern data platforms.
• Lead technical deep-dives, design reviews, and architecture sessions with client engineering teams.
• Evaluate emerging AI frameworks, foundation models, agentic architectures, and tooling.

Client-Facing Expertise

• Serve as the trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders within your vertical --- leading AI strategy workshops, technology assessments, and roadmap sessions.
• Conduct AI readiness assessments, technology due diligence, and build business cases that connect AI investments to measurable ROI.
• Build and maintain deep, trust-based relationships with client technical leaders and executives.
• Present at industry conferences, author thought leadership content, and represent Blue Orange in technical forums.

Vertical Domain Development

• Develop deep domain expertise in your vertical --- understanding the business models, regulatory landscape, data ecosystems, and competitive dynamics.
• Build a library of reference architectures, solution accelerators, and reusable patterns tailored to your vertical.
• Identify the highest-value AI use cases for your industry and codify them into repeatable engagement frameworks.
• Leverage your orchestrated bot network and automation stack for client research, competitive intelligence, industry benchmarking, and proposal development.

Pre-Sales & Growth Support

• Partner with Account Executives, PE Channel Partners, and the sales team to support pre-sales activities within your vertical.
• Identify expansion opportunities within existing client accounts.
• Provide market feedback to leadership on client needs, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities in your vertical.

Who You Are

• 10--15+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, cloud architecture, AI/ML, and technology consulting.
• Deep, current technical credibility in AI/ML, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), modern data infrastructure (Databricks, Snowflake, dbt), and emerging areas like agentic AI, LLMs, and generative AI.
• Genuine expertise in a specific industry vertical (e.g., financial services, healthcare, private equity, retail, media, energy).
• Proven track record of leading complex AI and data transformation engagements for enterprise clients.
• Exceptional client-facing skills --- comfortable leading technical workshops with engineering teams and strategy sessions with C-suite stakeholders.
• Strong communicator who translates complex technical concepts into business impact language.
• Self-directed and entrepreneurial.
• Ambition to grow into practice leadership over time.
• Comfort operating within an AI-augmented workflow.
• Based in New York City or willing to relocate; hybrid work model with regular in-office presence.

Why Blue Orange

• IC+ With a Real Growth Path: Designed to evolve into vertical practice leadership.
• AI-First, Not AI-Curious: We build and ship production AI systems every day.
• Hands-On Culture: Our best people can go from strategy to code review to client dinner in the same day.
• Tech-Forward Workflow: Operate with AI tools that let you move faster and go deeper.
• Elite Team: Work alongside some of the best AI engineers, data scientists, and strategists.
• Founder-Led, Not Corporate: Report to the CTO and CEO.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $180,000
• Bonus Structure: Utilization‑based performance bonus tied to billable hours.
• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement: 401(k) matching.
• Time Off: Unlimited PTO, paid parental and bereavement leave.
• Work Setup: New York office-based (hybrid) with flexibility for remote work and client travel.
• Development: Executive coaching, conference speaking, thought leadership platform, increasing leadership scope.
• Events: All conference, travel, accommodation, and per diem costs covered.

Blue Orange Digital is an equal-opportunity employer.