Systems Architect​/Engineering Architecture Lead

Remote-Friendly Contract with Global Reach

This is a fully remote contractor role, making it genuinely location-independent. The posting prefers US-based candidates but explicitly welcomes worldwide applicants with strong experience — a strong signal of async-friendly, deliverables-driven work. No fixed office hours are mentioned, suggesting you can structure your work around your own schedule, ideal for digital nomads juggling time zones.

Timezone Considerations

While no timezone is mandated, US preference hints at some overlap with US business hours being advantageous. Nomads in Western Europe (Lisbon, Berlin) or Eastern Europe (Warsaw, Kraków) are well-positioned for occasional US overlap. Southeast Asia-based nomads may find async delivery a better fit.

• Portugal: Digital Nomad Visa suits this contract role;
  Lisbon costs ~€1,800–2,500/month for comfortable living.
• Poland: EU Blue Card or digital nomad-friendly tourist stays;
  Warsaw is affordable at ~€1,200–1,800/month.
• UAE (Dubai): Listed as a hint country with its own Freelancer/Remote Work Visa; costs are higher at ~$3,500–5,000/month.

No salary is disclosed, so cost-of-living comparisons are approximate. As a contract role, your effective rate will depend on negotiation. Seek clarity on expected hours per week and deliverable timelines before accepting.

About Gramian

Gramian Consultancy is a boutique consultancy specializing in IT professional services and engineering talent solutions. With a strong background in software engineering and leadership, we help companies build high-performing teams by matching them with professionals who truly fit their needs.

About the Job

We are seeking an experienced Systems Architect or Chief Systems Architect to contribute to a specialized AI training project focused on complex, real-world engineering workflows.

This role is intended for senior engineering professionals with proven experience defining system architectures, managing technical interfaces, and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams. You will use your expertise to design realistic engineering scenarios, translate project objectives into structured system architectures, coordinate contributions from different technical specialists, and establish clear evaluation criteria.

The ideal candidate understands how complex systems are structured across mechanical, electrical, hardware, software, and manufacturing disciplines, and can identify dependencies, constraints, and engineering trade-offs throughout the system lifecycle. Previous AI experience is not required.

• CONTRACT: Contractor
• LOCATION: Remote – US-based candidates preferred; worldwide candidates with strong relevant experience considered.
• PROJECT: AI training focused on complex engineering workflows.
• AI
  
  EXPERIENCE:
  
  Not required.
• FOCUS AREAS: Systems architecture, multidisciplinary engineering, interface management, technical trade studies, and system integration.

Key Responsibilities

Design realistic engineering projects that require architectural decisions across multiple technical disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, hardware, software, and manufacturing.

Translate high-level project objectives into detailed system architectures with clearly defined boundaries, subsystem responsibilities, interfaces, and technical constraints.

Break complex architectural challenges into interconnected tasks with defined inputs, deliverables, dependencies, and expert responsibilities.

Define system-level requirements and ensure alignment between subsystem specifications and overall project objectives.

Evaluate architectural alternatives and conduct technical trade studies to assess feasibility, performance, cost, reliability, and other…