Job Description AI & Data Solutions Architect (CPG/Retail)

We're looking for a Principal AI & Data Solutions Architect to drive growth across our CPG/Retail portfolio in the U.S. This role sits at the intersection of thought leadership, solutioning, and hands-on technical execution.

You will operate as a trusted advisor and AI/Data leader to clients-partnering closely with account teams to shape opportunities, define engineering roadmaps, and solve complex business problems using modern data and AI foundations.

This is not a pure delivery role. The focus is on driving growth through technical depth, client engagement, and high-impact solutioning, with selective involvement in execution when needed. You'll work deeply with 2-3 strategic clients, while supporting a broader set of accounts across the region.

Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Growth

• Act as a trusted technical advisor to client stakeholders across AI, data, and engineering
• Drive account growth through thought leadership, proactive idea generation, and solution shaping
• Partner with account and sales teams during pre-sales, including discovery, solutioning, and proposal development
• Translate business problems into scalable, high-impact AI/data solutions
• Solution Architecture & Engineering Leadership
• Define and drive end-to-end data and AI architecture (data platforms, pipelines, ML/AI systems, AIF)
• Develop engineering roadmaps aligned to client business objectives
• Design scalable, enterprise-grade solutions across data platforms, cloud ecosystems, and AI/ML frameworks
• Ensure solutions balance performance, scalability, cost, and maintainability

Hands-On Technical Leadership

• Go beyond strategy-operate at depth when required (architecture reviews, solution design, problem-solving)
• Step into delivery challenges when needed and help unblock teams
• Guide and mentor architects and engineering teams across global delivery

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Account leaders and sales teams
• India-based delivery teams
• Data science, engineering, and platform teams
• Act as the bridge between business, solutioning, and execution

Technology & Innovation

• Stay current with advancements in AI, data engineering, and cloud technologies
• Drive adoption of modern data platforms, multi-cloud architecture, and AI frameworks
• Evaluate and introduce new tools, frameworks, and accelerators

• Deep technologist with strong expertise in data engineering, AI/ML, and solution architecture
• Proven ability to operate in a client-facing, consultative role
• Strong mix of:
• Pre-sales / solutioning
• Technical leadership
• Hands-on problem solving

Experience

• ~15-20 years of experience across: Data engineering and platform architecture
• AI/ML or advanced analytics environments
• Enterprise solutioning and consulting
• Strong experience working with global clients in a consulting or services environment
• Exposure to CPG/Retail

Technical Skills

Expertise in:

• Data platforms (data lakes, warehouses, modern data stack)
• Distributed processing (Spark, etc.)
• AI/ML ecosystems and AIF concepts
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Programming experience in Python, PySpark, Java, or Scala

Solid understanding of:

• Data modeling, ETL/ELT
• Data governance, security, and compliance
• Leadership & Communication
• Strong ability to translate business problems into technical solutions
• Excellent client communication and executive presence
• Ability to influence without authority across client and internal teams

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Fractal, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Up to $200,000. In addition, you may be eligible for a discretionary bonus for the current performance period., As a full-time employee of the company or as an hourly employee working more than 30 hours per week, you will be eligible to participate in the health, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability plans in accordance with the plan documents, which may be amended from time to time. You will be eligible for benefits on the first day of employment with the Company. In addition, you are eligible to participate in the Company 401(k) Plan after 30 days of employment, in accordance with the applicable plan terms. The Company provides for 11 paid holidays and 12 weeks of Parental Leave. We also follow a "free time" PTO policy, allowing you the flexibility to take the time needed for either sick time or vacation.

Fractal is a strategic AI partner to Fortune 500 companies with a vision to power every human decision in the enterprise. Fractal is building a world where individual choices, freedom, and diversity are the greatest assets. An ecosystem where human imagination is at the heart of every decision. Where no possibility is written off, only challenged to get better. We believe that a true Fractalite is the one who empowers imagination with intelligence. Fractal has been featured as a Great Place to Work by The Economic Times in partnership with the Great Place to Work® Institute and recognized as a 'Cool Vendor' and a 'Vendor to Watch' by Gartner.