Sr Solutions Architect - AI

Ulta Beauty • Bolingbrook, IL

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Live the experience . From professional empowerment to continual learning opportunities. From ongoing investment in new and emerging technologies to a career of self-determination. At Ulta Beauty, our tech team is critical to our scalability-and is recognized that way. We ve been defined as a mature start-up. A place where interdepartmental exposure, open doors, and genuine collaboration is ubiquitous. Where challenges come fast and furious, requiring agility, mental dexterity, and creativity. Where our passion for better solutions drives us and is core to who we are.

We re engineering for the future of retail, and it s no-holds-barred. But for those motivated by continual change and ambiguity, by superior leadership, by whip smart colleagues who will press you daily for your very best, you ll find that virtually nothing s impossible at Ulta Beauty.
The Sr Solution Architect AI helps to lead artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives at Ulta Beauty, directing multiple Agile PODs focused on developing AI-powered solutions. This role serves as the technical bridge between data science, engineering, enterprise architecture, and product management to deliver transformative AI products. The Senior Manager is responsible for guiding delivery teams through the complete AI product development lifecycle-from conception to deployment and continuous improvement. They will drive innovation in personalization technologies, operational efficiency, and customer experience enhancements while establishing best practices for AI development, implementation and operation.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, or equivalent professional experience
• 10+ years of experience in AI/ML product development or related technical fields
• 4+ years of experience managing teams of data scientists, AI engineers or architects
• Demonstrated success leading AI initiatives in personalization, recommendation systems, computer vision, or operational efficiency
• In-depth knowledge of machine learning algorithms, frameworks, and best practices
• Hands-on experience with modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.) and cloud-based AI services
• Proven experience with agile methodologies in the context of AI/ML
• Strong experience managing the full AI product lifecycle
• Track record of implementing successful AI solutions that delivered measurable value
• Experience with MLOps practices and tools for model deployment and monitoring
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex business problems into AI solution approaches
• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain AI concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Familiarity with AI governance, ethics, and responsible AI implementation
• Ability to work effectively in an onshore/offshore development model
• Travel required per the company policy

Nice To Haves

• Experience in retail or e-commerce preferred

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership : Lead the strategic direction for AI product development, including solution architecture, technical roadmaps, and implementation standards across multiple AI initiatives and platforms. Maintaining alignment with Senior Principal Solution Architect and supporting groups/teams (eg. Enterprise Architecture).
• Team Support : Direct and mentor multiple Agile teams comprising data scientists, AI engineers, and ML specialists, fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and excellence in AI development.
• Strategy : Translate business requirements into technical AI roadmaps, working with AI Product Manger and business stakeholders to align AI initiatives with organizational goals while establishing measurement frameworks to track impact.
• Cultural Champion : Drive the adoption of AI-focused agile development practices, and partner with Responsible AI Governance team to promote transparency, explainability and ethical use of AI at Ulta.
• Product Management : Partner with the Product Management Organization to identify opportunities for AI implementation, build consensus around AI priorities, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Exercise independent judgment in developing AI solution approaches, model selection, and deployment strategies
• Enable the design and implementation of AI-powered solutions for enhancing the customer shopping experience, drive operational efficiency across the enterprise, optimizes imventory, pricing, supply chain, and other operations
• Support and guide the development of data pipelines, feature engineering, and model training workflows
• Guide teams in implementing MLOps practices for model deployment, monitoring, and maintenance - help contribute towards standards and best practices
• Ensure AI solutions adhere to privacy, security, and ethical standards
• Drive the development of reusable AI components and frameworks to accelerate future initiatives
• Collaborate with enterprise architecture to establish AI platform standards and integration patterns
• Lead and facilitate technical reviews and provide guidance on AI model performance, scalability, and business impact
• Establish metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness of AI initiatives
• Develop POCs (proof of concepts) to validate AI applications before full-scale implementation
• Partner with Product Owners to translate business requirements into AI-specific technical requirements
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies and methodologies, evaluating their potential application
• Provide technical thought leadership across the organization on AI capabilities and possibilities

Benefits

• eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Companys bonus plan
• Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
• Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees