Staff AI Architect, Confluent

• A minimum of 8+ years in enterprise data, software architecture, or related fields, with 5+ years of hands-on experience in Kafka and event-driven systems
• Proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale, cloud-native solutions leveraging Kafka, Flink, and AI-driven tools
• Hands-on experience with feature stores, vector databases, or retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for real-time AI
• Experience optimizing large-scale, real-time systems for low latency, high throughput, and cost efficiency
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI to build and deliver compelling data solutions
• Strong understanding of event-driven architecture, stream processing (Kafka Streams, Flink), and distributed systems
• Proficiency in microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and modern DevOps practices (CI/CD pipelines)
• Strong background in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), including infrastructure as code (e.g., Terraform)
• In-depth knowledge of SQL and NoSQL database technologies
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, or other ML libraries
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage dependencies across teams, and deliver enterprise-wide impact
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, aligning technical initiatives with strategic business objectives
• A passion for exploring and implementing emerging technologies, particularly in AI and automation
• A forward-looking perspective on market and technology trends
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset

Desirable

• The Staff AI Architect will play a pivotal role within the Data team, providing technical leadership and solution design in partnership with the Data Science and Data Engineering teams
• In this role, you will leverage your expertise in data technologies, combined with knowledge of Confluent Cloud, Flink, and other AI-powered automations to design scalable, event-driven systems that meet the complex needs of our growing organization
• AI Integration: Incorporate AI technologies, such as machine learning models, natural language processing, or predictive analytics, into automation and event-driven workflows & data solutions
• Data Integration: Contribute to the design, integrations and management of AI/ML solutions across SaaS platforms, systems, and databases, leveraging Confluent, AI-powered tools, and microservices patterns
• Strategic Leadership: Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into cohesive AI strategies and outcomes
• Microservices Development: Oversee and provide input on the design of microservices that align with modern cloud-native principles, enabling robust and reusable system components
• Technical Oversight: Conduct technical design reviews, enforce best practices, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, secure, and maintainable solutions
• Team & Mentorship: Dedicate time to coach and mentor other team members