AI Solutions Architect

Canopy A&D • Irvine, CA

8d • $130,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The AI Solutions Architect will lead the architecture, implementation, and operationalization of Generative AI and Machine Learning solutions, with a focus on Google Gemini, Google Cloud / Vertex AI, and private enterprise LLM deployments. In the defense sector, the role works closely with IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Compliance Teams to ensure AI tools and pipelines meet security and compliance requirements, including CMMC, NIST standards, and ITAR regulations.

The role designs and maintains production-ready AI/ML applications, RAG pipelines, and intelligent automation for internal business and manufacturing workflows; integrates and fine-tunes foundation models; and builds APIs, microservices, and orchestration connecting AI agents to enterprise systems. It also engineers secure, isolated deployment environments; implements data protection and access controls; addresses AI security risks; and supports governance documentation and audits. The architect partners with IT, engineering, and business teams to identify high-impact use cases and provides guidance, documentation, and training for authorized internal AI use.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Irvine, California, with core business hours Monday through Friday and additional hours as needed. Travel is up to 15%. The salary range is $130,000 to $150,000, with actual compensation determined case by case. Total compensation includes company-paid employee medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) company match subject to eligibility, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays, and discretionary bonuses. Applicants must meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

• Must meet U.S. citizenship requirement stated for the role; eligible 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, especially 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 systems such as 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 controls, and sanitization to protect proprietary CUI and intellectual property from unauthorized model training.
• Establish 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-system compliance artifacts.
• Validate third-party AI APIs and infrastructure against ITAR, EAR, and FedRAMP High/Moderate requirements.
• Partner with IT operations, software engineering, and business units to identify high-impact AI use cases, including predictive maintenance, compliance documentation, drawing parsing, and automated IT helpdesk functions.
• Provide technical guidance, best-practice documentation, and training on safe, authorized internal AI usage.

Benefits

• Company-paid employee medical insurance.
• Company-paid employee dental insurance.
• Company-paid employee 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