Senior Data and AI Architect

Job Description

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Data and AI Architect to join our Business Technology – Digital Engineering Solutions domain. This individual will be part of the Data & AI Technology group, helping to drive strategic Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) initiatives using cutting‑edge data technologies and analytics to deliver actionable business insights and robust solutions for AEC professionals and client outcomes.

The group will lead the firm in AEC‑focused Business Intelligence and data services by providing architectural guidance, technological vision, and solution development. It will specifically utilize advanced analytics, data science, and AI/ML to give our business and products a competitive advantage. The role involves understanding and managing the data, how it interconnects, and architecting & engineering data for self‑serve BI and BA opportunities.

The position is for someone who has demonstrated excellence in data architecture capabilities, is experienced with data technology and processes, and enjoys framing a problem, shaping and creating solutions, and leading implementation. The member will also engage in research and development, provide guidance and oversight to the AEC practices at CDM Smith, engage in new product research, testing, and incubation of data technology‑related ideas that arise from around the company.

• Develop and design the architecture for various data and AI solutions, ensuring each solution is scalable, secure, and reliable.
• Engage with business units to understand their requirements and translate them into technical requirements and designs.
• Create data and AI architectural solutions for complex architecture, engineering, and environmental science problems.
• Design and implement strategies to scale data and AI solutions across different business units.
• Create detailed architecture and technical design documents for our data and AI solutions.
• Assist with initiatives and efforts as part of a collaborative team with your data scientists, data engineers, data analysts, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and work as part of a multidisciplinary team across a global practice.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments and advancements, including new and emerging technologies, best practices, new tools, and software applications and how they could impact CDM Smith.
• Assist with the development of documentation, standards, best practices, and workflows for data technology hardware/software in use across the business.
• Present to external audiences as needed.
• Assist with marketing, communications, and business development descriptions and activities as needed.
• Assist with internal and external website descriptions as needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5 years of related experience.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Advanced understanding and experience with all functions of the data management lifecycle including data governance, data architecture, data integration, metadata management, data development, data quality management, data administration, security & operations, data stewardship and master data management.
• Strong knowledge and experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services and Databricks.
• Understand the principles of the Azure well‑architected framework and can apply those principles to our Data & AI solution.
• Expert knowledge and proven ability to develop highly complex data and AI architectures. Inquisitive, with a desire to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of business and data challenges.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate well with people from both technical and non‑technical backgrounds. Ability to listen, build rapport, and credibility as a strategic and diplomatic partner with our business units.
• Innovative and able to apply critical thinking skills to generate new solutions/ideas that create value and improve processes.
• Detail oriented with the ability to assist with executing highly complex or specialized projects.

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