AI Engineering Solutions Architect

Cyclotron, Inc. • Chicago, IL

4d • $200,000 - $250,000 • Remote

About The Position

As an AI Engineering Solutions Architect at Cyclotron, you will be responsible for driving sales wins through a disciplined presales methodology, strong technical credibility, exceptional discovery skills, thoughtful solution shaping, and confident executive-level communication. You will lead early-stage engagements, uncover true business drivers, and design responsible, scalable solutions across the Microsoft cloud ecosystem. If you thrive at the intersection of AI, cloud architecture, and consulting strategy, this is the role for you.

Requirements

• 8+ years in Microsoft cloud, data, or application architecture
• 3–5 years in pre-sales, advisory, or solution architecture roles
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise discovery or design workshops
• Certifications such as LUMA, IDEO, IBM Enterprise Design Thinking, Microsoft Catalyst, or equivalent structured problem solving frameworks
• Exposure to Prosci or similar change management methodologies
• Produces high-quality SOWs, 1–2 page discovery summaries, phased delivery plans with gates, and DevOps-ready backlogs with estimates and assumptions
• Ability to steer conversations past feature requests into true needs and drivers
• Writes clear, enforceable scopes with realistic boundaries and measurable outcomes
• Comfortable whiteboarding and defending designs across Azure + Data + AI + Security + Power Platform
• Understands margin, utilization, fixed-fee vs T&M, and risk structuring
• Clear, concise, and credible with executive stakeholders
• Azure data platforms: Fabric, Synapse, Data Lake, Data Factory
• Applied AI: Azure OpenAI (RAG, agents, summarization), Azure AI Search, evaluation strategies
• Integration patterns: APIM, Event Grid, Functions, Logic Apps, Container Apps
• Power Platform & Copilot Studio: when to use, when not to, and governance considerations

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience at a Microsoft-focused consulting partner (e.g., Avanade, Slalom, Deloitte, EY, Accenture) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead 60–120 minute enterprise discovery sessions that surface true drivers, constraints, and decision dynamics.
• Challenge client assumptions respectfully and reframe feature requests into business problems + measurable outcomes.
• Architect credible solutions across Azure, Data, AI, Security, Integration, and Power Platform.
• Produce high-quality SOWs, scopes, assumptions, dependencies, and change-control language.
• Design phased delivery approaches that de-risk early (data readiness, feasibility, security constraints).
• Communicate effectively with CFO/COO audiences (value, impact, risk) and CTO/CISO audiences (architecture, feasibility).
• Shape engagements that balance margin, utilization, and delivery risk.
• Partner with sales and delivery for clean handoffs and deal readiness.
• Translate AI/Copilot/automation requests into clearly defined problems, measurable outcomes, and value hypotheses.
• Support sales, delivery, and leadership through clean handoffs and deal orchestration.
• Protect delivery teams by identifying risks, gaps, and misaligned client expectations early.

Benefits

• competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• cover 100% of employee medical premiums
• generous and flexible paid time off (PTO)
• retirement plan options
• ongoing training opportunities
• flexible work arrangements
• robust wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed