AI Solutions Architect

Canopy A&D • Irvine, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is hiring an AI Solutions Architect to lead the architecture, implementation, and operationalization of Generative AI and Machine Learning solutions. The role focuses on Google Gemini, Google Cloud/Vertex AI, and private enterprise LLM deployments supporting internal business and manufacturing workflows. Working in the defense sector, the architect will collaborate with IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Compliance teams to ensure AI systems and pipelines meet security and regulatory requirements, including CMMC, NIST standards, and ITAR.

The position includes designing production-ready AI/ML applications, RAG pipelines, and automation tools; integrating and fine-tuning foundation models; building APIs, microservices, and orchestration connected to enterprise systems; and engineering secure, isolated deployment environments. The architect will also support compliance documentation and audits, evaluate third-party AI services and infrastructure, identify high-impact AI use cases, and provide guidance and training for safe internal AI use.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Irvine, California, with core Monday–Friday business hours and additional hours as needed. Travel is up to 15%. The stated salary range is $130,000–$150,000. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements. The role requires professional working proficiency in English and the ability to use common computer software and communicate in person, by phone, and online.

Requirements

• Must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements; the role overview specifies U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain or maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance if required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of professional software engineering or data engineering experience.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience building, deploying, and operationalizing Generative AI or LLM applications.
• Deep experience with Google Cloud Platform, Vertex AI, and the Google Gemini API ecosystem.
• Proficiency in Python and modern AI frameworks.
• Experience with vector databases such as Vertex Vector Search, Pinecone, Milvus, or pgvector, and enterprise RAG architecture.
• Strong understanding of modern IT infrastructure, including Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, CI/CD, and Terraform.
• Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, and CMMC requirements for handling CUI/FCI.
• Experience implementing secure architectural patterns, including Zero Trust, RBAC/ABAC, TLS 1.3, and HSM/KMS-managed keys.
• Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Ability to use a computer and common software programs to complete assignments.
• Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and online.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in the aerospace, defense, or federal government contractor sector.
• Familiarity with the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (NIST AI 100-1) and OWASP Top 10 for LLMs.
• Experience deploying self-hosted, quantized LLMs in air-gapped or disconnected environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain production-ready AI/ML applications, RAG pipelines, and intelligent automation tools for internal business and manufacturing workflows.
• Integrate and fine-tune foundation models, particularly Google Gemini through Vertex AI and open-source models deployed in private VPCs or enclaves.
• Build APIs, microservices, and orchestration connecting AI agents to enterprise IT systems, including ERP, PLM, MES, and knowledge repositories.
• Design and implement zero-trust, isolated, containerized deployment environments for AI workloads using Kubernetes, FedRAMP-authorized cloud, or on-premises/hybrid infrastructure.
• Implement data loss prevention, encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access control, and data sanitization to protect proprietary CUI and intellectual property from unauthorized model training or disclosure.
• Implement safeguards against prompt injection, data exfiltration, model poisoning, and hallucination risks.
• Ensure AI architectures and data pipelines comply with CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
• Collaborate with the CISO and IT Compliance team to maintain audit trails, system security plans, data lineage documentation, and AI compliance artifacts.
• Validate that third-party AI APIs and infrastructure meet applicable ITAR, EAR, and FedRAMP High or Moderate requirements.
• Partner with IT operations, software engineering, and business units to identify high-impact AI use cases, such as predictive maintenance, compliance documentation, drawing parsing, and automated IT helpdesk services.
• Provide technical guidance, best-practice documentation, and training on safe, authorized internal AI usage.

Benefits

• Company-paid employee medical insurance.
• Company-paid dental insurance.
• Company-paid vision insurance.
• 401(k) company match, subject to eligibility.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior