Principal AI Architect

Company: Sierra Nevada Corporation
Location: Englewood
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

As a Principal AI Architect, you will support the AI architecture strategy and its implementation across the organization, focusing on the most critical and complex AI initiatives. You will ensure AI solutions adhere to enterprise architecture standards and business goals, collaborating with senior leadership, architects, SMEs, and the Enterprise PMO to drive governance and alignment. Your role will involve developing advanced AI models, strategic blueprints, and roadmaps, staying ahead of leading industry trends to create a robust and efficient AI environment. As SNC's corporate team, we provide the company and its business areas with strategic direction and business support spanning executive management, finance and accounting, operations, human resources, legal, IT, information security, facilities, marketing, and communications. Responsibilities: Understand the context of the supported product or product portfolio within the organization and its competitive landscape. Collaborate with group and business architects to document the business architecture. Work with product stakeholders to create a product strategy, identify investments, and develop roadmaps that align with business goals and minimum viable architecture (MVA). Define and maintain the high-level target product and portfolio architecture. Support technology innovation by identifying opportunities for proof-of-concept work. Provide guidance on critical AI architecture decisions based on enterprise reference architecture. Collaborate with domain architects for deeper domain knowledge. Coach and mentor product team members on product architecture frameworks Stay updated with current enterprise guidance and maintain knowledge of the enterprise application and technology portfolio. Collaborate with other architect roles supporting product management. Identify needed capabilities and features to enable product development. Coordinate the implementation of product-specific enablers with product owners and managers. Prioritize development of needed enterprise enablers with enterprise architects and portfolio managers. Work with major vendors such as Workday and Dassault, focusing on AI roadmaps. Assist with the evaluation of emerging technologies. Serve as a member of the architecture community of practice. Contribute to principles, guidelines, standards, and solution patterns to the MVA based on feedback from product development. Escalate non-compliant product architecture decisions. Mentor and guide junior and mid-level architects, providing strategic leadership. Qualifications You Must Have: Bachelors degree in Computer Science, or related field. 5 Years of Experience in AI Architecture. Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 11 years of related experience is required. Ability to break down AI architecture into product backlog and select features for an MVP sprint Experience selecting technologies focusing on cost, schedule, technical capabilities, and ROI. Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience. Expert proficiency in Agile management. Extensive experience with enterprise architecture, capability planning, and alignment of IT to corporate and BU strategy. Strong experience with drafting reference architecture. Experience designing, developing, and integrating applications. Vendor management experience. Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and leadership skills. Excellent communication and executive-level presentation skills. Qualifications We Prefer: Master’s degree in Computer Science, or a related field. Essential Functions: Perform desk-based computer tasks for extended periods. Engage in repetitive motions, including typing on a keyboard. Occasionally lift and move items up to 20 lbs. Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment. Ability to travel as required. This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs. Estimated Starting Salary Range: $189,761.74 - $260,922.39. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more . IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances. SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team! SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

Keywords: Sierra Nevada Corporation, Commerce City , Principal AI Architect, IT / Software / Systems , Englewood, Colorado