Forward-Deployed Data & AI Architect

Our Applied AI Engineering team designs and builds solutions that create real, measurable value for our clients across data engineering, AI and ML workflows, and agentic AI. We often work in complex, regulated environments such as financial services. We are looking for a Forward-Deployed Architect to shape the technical direction of our solutions from day one, in the field. 

As a Forward-Deployed Architect within EY's Applied AI Engineering team, you will work closely with clients and forward-deployed engineering teams, making architecture decisions that shape solutions from the first prototype across data engineering, AI and ML workflows, and agentic AI systems. 

EY.AI: in this role, you will work in an environment where AI agents are part of the team and everyday project delivery. You will use solutions tailored to specific business areas to analyse data, generate recommendations and design solutions, helping teams move faster from analysis to action and create value for clients. 

Your scope of duties 

• Embed with client and forward-deployed teams to shape the architecture of data and AI solutions from discovery through the first working prototype, across data processing, AI and ML workflows, and agentic systems. 

• Make fast, pragmatic technology and design decisions under ambiguity, choosing patterns that balance speed now with scalability later. 

• Define the target architecture and a credible path to production so validated prototypes can move seamlessly into the production build phase. 

• Ensure prototypes and solutions are built responsibly and securely from the start, with data handling, lineage, guardrails and compliance considerations identified early, including the EU AI Act, GDPR, DORA and model risk. 

• Rapidly evaluate and select tools, services and frameworks across data platforms, AI and ML, and agentic AI that fit the problem at hand. 

• Act as the technical translator between business intent and forward-deployed engineering teams. 

• Manage and grow the pool of project blueprints and accelerators. 

• Identify and communicate technical risk, cost and feasibility early to inform build, pivot or stop decisions. 

• Partner with client enterprise and solution architects to align delivery decisions with enterprise standards and reference architectures. 

• Present and defend the technical direction to senior client stakeholders. 

Our requirements 

• A master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, and approximately 10+ years of software, data or AI engineering and architecture experience. 

• A track record of designing solutions across data, AI and ML, or agentic systems and taking them from concept towards production. 

• Strong architecture skills and working experience in at least one of the following stacks: Microsoft Azure, including Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry or Azure Machine Learning, Azure Functions, Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric or Synapse; AWS, including Bedrock, SageMaker, Lambda or Glue; or Google Cloud, including Vertex AI, BigQuery or Dataflow, together with hands-on coding ability. 

• A strong grasp of data architecture, including pipelines, lakes, warehouses and governance, and of AI, GenAI and agentic patterns, including RAG, orchestration, evaluation and guardrails. 

• Experience making architecture decisions under time pressure and ambiguity, ideally in a consulting, product or forward-deployed setting. 

• Excellent communication skills with both technical and senior business audiences. 

Ideally, you'll also have 

• Financial services or other regulated-industry experience, and familiarity with the governance landscape, including AML and KYC, model risk or SR 11-7, the EU AI Act, DORA and GDPR. 

• Breadth across data engineering, AI workflows and agentic AI, and experience bridging prototype and production by defining handoffs and target architectures. 

• A consulting or startup background. 

• A history of creating reusable patterns and accelerators. 

What we offer 

• Innovate EY, unique programmes where you can create your own start-up using our know-how and funding. 

• A convenient hybrid working model. 

• Professional and financial support in obtaining recognised qualifications and certificates. 

• EY Badges, global certification of your competencies and the opportunity to earn an MBA title from the prestigious Hult International School of Business. 

• Career Counselor, professional, one-to-one guidance on career building and development. 

• Psycho-educational platform, a package of free consultations with specialists in the broad field of mental health and personal development and access to educational activities. 

• Benefit programme offering private healthcare with additional preventive examinations, life insurance, tickets, team sports, language learning platform, sports cards and much more, available online and offline. 

Recruitment stages 

1. Apply. If this is your first time applying, create your profile and add your CV. 

1. Let's talk. You will meet with Talent Acquisition specialists and representatives of your future team. 

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