Artificial Intelligence Architect (Solutions Architect 4/5) at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Job description

What You Will Do Define and lead enterprise-wide AI architecture at a premier national security institution Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to architect and drive the delivery of AI and machine learning capabilities to every laboratory bench, workstation, and operational system across the Laboratory. This role requires a balanced combination of deep technical expertise and the ability to navigate complex organizational and cultural dynamics in support of our National Security mission. The selected candidate's expertise in AI, agentic AI systems, and advanced machine learning models will help shape the strategic direction and future application of AI technologies at LANL. This position resides within the Innovative Customer Experience (ICE) Division. This position will be filled at either the Solution Architect 4 or Solution Architect 5 level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities, as outlined below, will be assigned to candidates hired at the higher level. Solution Architect 4 - $138,500 - $233,200 In this role, the successful candidate will collaborate with internal and external NNSA senior leadership, scientists, engineers, IT solution architects, and program stakeholders across LANL to advance responsible AI adoption and enhance services and operational efficiency. The selected individual will serve as the lead AI Architect for the LANL AI Portal, designing and implementing AI infrastructure across both cloud and on-premises environments. The candidate must demonstrate strong leadership in AI/ML initiatives that improve Laboratory effectiveness through the strategic use of AI services. This role also requires the ability to coordinate enterprise AI roadmap initiatives, contribute to long-range strategic planning, and ensure alignment with applicable federal regulations to guide the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence technologies across the Laboratory. Solution Architect 5 - $166,900 - $289,000 In addition to the responsibilities of the Solution Architect 4 role, the candidate selected at the Solution Architect 5 level will be expected to assess and evaluate the impact of architectural proposals and provide informed guidance to ensure optimal AI outcomes for the Laboratory. This individual will also deliver strategic counsel to executive leadership across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE), including other National Laboratories and NNSA/DOE Headquarters, to support enterprise-wide AI initiatives and alignment. ICE division consists of more than 350 talented Solution Architects, Computer Systems Professionals, and Computer System Technician employees who provide the varied Laboratory organizations with Information Technology experts who design, build, and support their mission-driven technical needs, on the unclassified and classified networks through several different service touchpoints. In addition, optimize the use of information technology, ensure seamless delivery and operation of IT services by monitoring system performance, applying configuration management practices, creating processes and standards for selection and implementation. What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: • Ability to partner closely with technology, data, research and development, and business leaders to define the AI vision, design reference architectures, and guide delivery teams in building high-impact AI solutions • Experience leading large-scale enterprise AI/ML tool deployments, particularly reusable, multi-team solutions • Proven experience designing scalable, modular, and resilient AI infrastructures across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments • Strong understanding of cloud architecture design patterns for major providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-native data and AI services (e.g., managed ML platforms, serverless architectures) • Experience supporting AI/ML training, education, and outreach initiatives • Prior ownership of AI/ML technology strategy and governance roadmap oversight • Experience architecting observability, performance monitoring, and data quality metrics for AI systems • Experience designing, validating, and operating systems leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), vector databases, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic AI tools • Experience delivering systems within restrictive security and compliance environments (approximately 15-20% of role) • Ability to establish and review AI system designs for alignment with security, cost, implementation, and efficiency standards • Strong presentation and public speaking skills • Knowledge of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, NIST SP 800-53, and NIST SP 800-171 • Ability to translate business requirements into AI solutions Additional Job Requirements for Solution Architect 5: • Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a multi-agency or industry-wide level strategy • Experience presenting technical architecture and alternatives to C-Suite and Senior Federal staff • Research or technical publications, or contributions to open-source AI projects • Initiates and leads large-scale technical projects, with project teams spread across organizational boundaries and/or outside the Laboratory to solve highly complex problems Education/Experience at Solution Architect 4: Position requires a Bachelor's degree and 12 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, applicable advanced vendor and/or professional certification is desirable. Education/Experience at Solutions Architect 5 : Position requires a Bachelor's degree and 15 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, applicable advanced vendor and/or professional certification is desirable. Desired Qualifications: • Prior job experience as an AI Solutions Architect, Customer Engineer, or Technical Customer Success Manager • Experience delivering AI Systems to production in a large enterprise environment • 5-8 years of experience in software engineering, data science, or machine learning • Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning) Work Location: The work location for this position has the potential for remote work. Remote work is defined as working offsite that is greater than 2 hours of the Laboratory location. Reporting onsite may be periodically necessary. All work locations are at the discretion of management. Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 Year. Note to Applicants: While the posted salary range for each position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time. Please provide a resume and a comprehensive cover letter that details how you meet the qualifications for the position. Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. Where You Will Work Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes: • PPO or High-Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network • Dental and Vision insurance • Free basic life and disability insurance • Paid maternity and parental leave • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually) • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance • Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays) • Onsite gyms and wellness programs • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius) Additional Details Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A. Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad. *Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information. New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer. Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status. Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position. Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

Requirements

Must-haves

Define and lead enterprise-wide AI architecture at a premier national security institution
Solution Architect 4 - $138,500 - $233,200
Solution Architect 5 - $166,900 - $289,000
What You Need
Ability to partner closely with technology, data, research and development, and business leaders to define the AI vision, design reference architectures, and guide delivery teams in building high-impact AI solutions
Experience leading large-scale enterprise AI/ML tool deployments, particularly reusable, multi-team solutions
Proven experience designing scalable, modular, and resilient AI infrastructures across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments
Strong understanding of cloud architecture design patterns for major providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-native data and AI services (e.g., managed ML platforms, serverless architectures)
Experience supporting AI/ML training, education, and outreach initiatives
Prior ownership of AI/ML technology strategy and governance roadmap oversight
Experience architecting observability, performance monitoring, and data quality metrics for AI systems
Experience designing, validating, and operating systems leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), vector databases, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic AI tools
Experience delivering systems within restrictive security and compliance environments (approximately 15-20% of role)
Ability to establish and review AI system designs for alignment with security, cost, implementation, and efficiency standards
Strong presentation and public speaking skills
Knowledge of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, NIST SP 800-53, and NIST SP 800-171
Ability to translate business requirements into AI solutions
Additional Job Requirements for Solution Architect 5:
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a multi-agency or industry-wide level strategy
Experience presenting technical architecture and alternatives to C-Suite and Senior Federal staff
Research or technical publications, or contributions to open-source AI projects

Nice-to-haves

Prior job experience as an AI Solutions Architect, Customer Engineer, or Technical Customer Success Manager
Experience delivering AI Systems to production in a large enterprise environment
Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning)

Application prep

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Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401(K)

Parental Leave

Wellness