Solutions Architect, AI & Automation

Gexpro Services • Irving, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Solutions Architect, AI & Automation is a strategic and execution-focused partner to business leaders, designing and delivering applied AI and automation solutions that improve operational performance, decision-making, and productivity. The role combines hands-on technical execution with business partnership: identifying high-value opportunities with site and vertical leadership, architecting and building solutions, and driving adoption. It operates with a high degree of autonomy and is accountable for measurable EBITDA and working capital outcomes. The role serves as the company's internal technical authority on automation, cloud architecture, and applied AI.

The architect owns end-to-end technical design and delivery across data, integrations, backend services, applications, and cloud infrastructure. The role develops cloud-based solutions and system integrations, builds applications and automations, leads initiatives from concept through scaled deployment, and establishes reusable standards and patterns. It also identifies and prioritizes AI and automation opportunities, evaluates technologies, advises on build-versus-buy decisions, and assesses technical, delivery, and adoption risks.

The position works directly with branch teams, functional support, vertical and site leadership, customers, suppliers, executives, IT, and vendors. It translates business needs into technical requirements and solution designs, drives process improvement and user adoption, develops business cases, leads vendor evaluations, and oversees third-party delivery. The role also manages and develops direct reports, provides technical mentorship, and supports early-career technical hires.

Requirements

• At least four years of professional experience spanning technology delivery and business process improvement.
• Experience leading multiple AI, automation, or data-driven solutions from concept through deployment with measurable business outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience owning solutions end to end, including business requirements, architecture, development, integration, deployment, adoption, and ongoing improvement.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Working knowledge of cloud architecture, security, identity, and cloud-native solution design.
• Experience designing system integrations and APIs across enterprise platforms.
• Working knowledge of enterprise systems such as Microsoft 365 and ERPs.
• Understanding of robotic process automation and enterprise automation platforms.
• Experience leading vendor selection and managing third-party delivery partners.
• Strong project and program management capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of process improvement.
• Proven ability to translate ambiguous business problems into actionable technical solutions.
• Experience driving change management and user adoption.
• Experience working cross-functionally within a business and with external partners.
• Solid presentation skills, including executive-ready communication and experience presenting to executive audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and work across all levels of an organization.
• Commitment to continuous learning and ability to rapidly acquire and apply new technical skills as technology changes.
• Team-oriented, hands-on leadership style.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI Services, and the broader Microsoft AI ecosystem.
• Experience designing and building applications using generative AI services, models, APIs, and SDKs.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric, including data engineering, analytics, semantic models, and integration of enterprise data into AI solutions.
• Experience with AI agents and agentic workflows, including tool or function calling, orchestration, and integration with enterprise systems.
• Experience with CI/CD, infrastructure as code, containerization, and cloud deployment practices.
• Relevant Microsoft Azure, AI, Data, or Fabric certifications, including current Microsoft Applied Skills credentials.
• Experience mentoring technical staff or providing technical leadership across cross-functional teams.
• Experience in distribution, supply chain, manufacturing, or other operationally complex environments.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification or equivalent process-improvement experience.
• Bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end technical design across data, integrations, backend services, applications, and cloud infrastructure for enterprise initiatives prioritized by EBITDA and total working capital impact.
• Serve as technical architect on multiple concurrent projects, establishing direction through working code, reference architectures, and reusable design patterns.
• Design and build cloud-based solutions and integrations connecting ERP (QAD), Microsoft 365, reporting, and operational platforms.
• Develop applications and automations using Python, SQL, and cloud services from prototype through production deployment.
• Lead initiatives from concept through pilot and scaled deployment, including change management and user adoption.
• Define plans to deliver change in 1–3 month increments using agile methodologies.
• Travel to sites as required to deploy solutions, train end users, and drive adoption.
• Identify, scope, and prioritize AI and automation use cases aligned with business value and strategic objectives.
• Translate operational pain points into AI-enabled workflows, copilots, automations, and decision-support tools.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement AI and automation technologies, including generative AI, RAG, agentic solutions, robotic process automation, and machine learning applications.
• Support and lead AI use cases including Microsoft 365 Copilot, internal agents, and ERP-adjacent solutions.
• Establish standards, governance, and reusable patterns for automation and AI development.
• Rapidly prototype solutions to demonstrate possibilities and build investment cases for business leaders.
• Conduct build-versus-buy analysis and advise leadership on whether internal development or third-party engagement offers better value.
• Identify technical, delivery, and adoption risks early and develop cost- and risk-conscious mitigation strategies.
• Maintain current technical expertise through conferences, vendor briefings, certification programs, and hands-on evaluation of platforms and tools; assess new capabilities against operating needs and recommend investment or piloting.
• Work with branch teams, functional support, vertical and site leadership, customers, and suppliers to identify process gaps and simplification opportunities.
• Gather business requirements independently and translate them into technical requirements and solution designs.
• Lead strategic process-improvement initiatives by defining issues, analyzing and prioritizing root causes, making improvements, and verifying results.
• Gather data on existing processes, identify key problems, and demonstrate results after improvements.
• Build and present business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and solution recommendations to executive leadership, including the CEO.
• Build employee support for changes to working practices that improve financial results and customer service.
• Lead technology vendor evaluations and selection, including requirements definition, demonstrations, scoring, and commercial recommendations.
• Own business cases and secure funding approval for technology investments.
• Partner with IT, vendors, and business stakeholders to integrate solutions into enterprise systems.
• Govern third-party delivery partners throughout implementation, including working sessions, scope management, and acceptance of work against requirements.
• Configure and lead setup of supporting IT infrastructure for third-party and internal solutions.
• Manage and develop direct reports through goal setting, work assignment, performance feedback, and career development planning.
• Provide technical mentorship through code reviews, design reviews, and pairing; establish engineering standards and practices.
• Onboard and develop early-career technical hires in cloud, automation, and AI development.
• Scope and delegate work while balancing delivery, team throughput, and employee development.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation plus annual bonus
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and pet insurance
• Hybrid work schedule
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee assistance program and health wellness programs
• 401(k) immediately with a competitive match
• Several paid holidays
• Paid time off including personal, sick, and vacation time

What This Job Offers

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