AI Solutions Architect-Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED)

Research Foundation for SUNY • Albany, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The AI Solutions Architect supports the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development as SUNY modernizes its research technology infrastructure, including the SUNY AI Platform, SUNY Research Connect, and a Research Data Repository. The SUNY AI Platform is intended to provide a safe, secure, SUNY-managed technology stack that expands access to AI tools and services for research, discovery, innovation, and public benefit.

This role is split evenly between managing technical platform architecture and building advanced AI-driven applications for research intelligence. The architect will help drive the scalability, continuous improvement, and strategic application of research infrastructure; design agentic workflows; leverage data APIs; and provide technical direction to campus researchers, internal teams, and external vendors. The position complements the existing ORIED team and may also collaborate with a Senior Strategic Research Project Manager.

The position is hybrid and based at the SUNY System Administration Building in Albany, New York. Compensation is $65,000 to $75,000.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as mathematics, computer science, information studies, information science, business, or statistics, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of professional programming or data analysis experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Strong technical skills and proficiency in data management, computer programming, or database administration.
• Knowledge of programming in one or more of the following: Java, Python, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, SQL, Flask, MongoDB, NodeJS, Express, React, PyTorch, or TensorFlow.
• Experience using JSON and XML for advanced data loading, structured reporting, and cross-platform information exchange.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret complex data.
• Experience working with complex data sets of various types and from disparate sources.
• Professional experience managing GitHub repositories, including branching strategies, pull requests, and code review workflows.
• Experience with cloud service providers and tools in Google environments (Google Cloud Platform, Model Garden, Compute Engine), Microsoft environments (Power Query, Azure SQL Server, Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, or cloud databases), or AWS.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a relevant field, such as mathematics, computer science, information studies, information science, business, or statistics, or a related field, with coursework in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
• 2–3 years of professional programming or data analysis experience.
• Knowledge of data visualization techniques and methodologies.
• Understanding of and experience with basic artificial intelligence, machine learning, or predictive analytics techniques and tools.
• Understanding and experience creating knowledge graphs, MCP servers, agents, and AI models.
• Experience with APIs.

Responsibilities

• Inform the technical evolution of the three-tier SUNY AI Platform architecture so it can scale with SUNY System and campus needs.
• Provide technical expertise on AI applications to inform vendor project management, project scope, prioritization, and development of new use cases.
• Support management and deployment of available compute resources, such as Google Cloud Platform; assist with Continuous Use Discounts or other resource distribution; and build shareable service menus for research services offered through SUNY cloud infrastructure.
• Drive the technical roadmap for GrantAI, integrating generative AI with SUNY Research Connect and ORIED data to improve grant matching, project teaming, and proposal drafting.
• Construct and maintain logical data models, including flowcharts and block diagrams that map complex data pipelines.
• Co-design and implement tools that use research administration data and AI/ML techniques to support horizon scanning and research intelligence for the SUNY System.
• Develop and deploy AI agents to automate complex research administration tasks, improve search functionality, update the SUNY AI Platform support agent, and provide expertise to SUNY researchers using the platform.
• Work in a high-paced team environment and multitask as needed according to project plans and business priorities.

What This Job Offers

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