AI Architect

Join Ascent SolutionsCombine one of the fastest growing industries on the planet with collaboration, intellectual diversity, and a culture of excellence—this is what you get. Soaring cyber risk is here to stay, but so are our consultants. We are builders and technologists with a passion for cybersecurity. Join us on our mission to help the nation’s top companies secure, advise, and manage their enterprise architecture.Ascent is built to help companies evolve their cybersecurity posture, modernize their Microsoft solutions, and secure their journey to the cloud. Our best-in-class consultants understand the demands of today’s modern workplace as well as the technology hurdles it can create. We provide organizations with the expertise needed to move quickly beyond technical constraints and focus on achieving business results.Ascent consultants are eager to engage with clients and implement secure solutions that drive business value. Intellectual diversity and collaboration drive our innovation process. We believe in evoking a customer’s root pain point. Our consultants provide intuitive solutions to help achieve company goals.Ascent is building a next‑generation AI program from the ground up, and we’re looking for a Principal AI Engineer who’s ready to architect, own, and scale that vision. This is a rare opportunity to define the AI strategy for an entire organization while remaining deeply hands‑on with engineering, security, and workflow design.You’ll lead the development of AI‑driven solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem — with a particular emphasis on the Microsoft Security Stack — and design intelligent workflows that enhance security posture, operational efficiency, and decision‑making across the business. You’ll also mentor and guide a growing team of engineers, helping shape the technical culture as we expand.If you thrive in greenfield environments, enjoy solving complex problems, and want to build an AI program with real impact, this role is built for you.Key ResponsibilitiesAI Program Architecture & LeadershipDesign and implement Ascent’s end‑to‑end AI strategy, including roadmap, architecture, tooling, and governance.Build AI workflows, automations, and integrations from scratch using Microsoft technologies.Partner with leadership to identify high‑value AI opportunities across the organization.Establish best practices for AI development, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.Microsoft Security Stack ExpertiseArchitect and implement AI‑enhanced solutions leveraging:Microsoft Defender suiteMicrosoft SentinelMicrosoft EntraPurviewSecurity Copilot and related AI‑security capabilitiesBuild intelligent detection, response, and automation workflows that strengthen Ascent’s security posture.Integrate AI models with Microsoft security telemetry, APIs, and automation tools.Engineering & Technical ExecutionDevelop custom AI models, pipelines, and orchestration logic tailored to business and security needs.Build scalable, secure, and maintainable AI systems using Azure services (Azure ML, Azure OpenAI, Logic Apps, Functions, etc.).Evaluate and implement new AI technologies, frameworks, and tools.Ensure compliance, security, and responsible AI practices across all solutions.Mentorship & Team DevelopmentMentor junior and mid‑level engineers, providing technical guidance and career development.Lead code reviews, architecture discussions, and engineering standards.Help shape a high‑performance engineering culture rooted in curiosity, quality, and innovation.QualificationsRequired8+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning, or AI development.Deep expertise with the Microsoft Security Stack and Azure ecosystem.Proven experience designing AI workflows, pipelines, or automations from scratch.Strong proficiency with Python, C#, or similar languages used in AI and automation.Experience integrating AI models with enterprise systems, APIs, and security tools.Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide engineering teams.Strong understanding of cloud security, identity, and compliance principles.PreferredExperience with Microsoft Security Copilot or other AI‑driven security tools.Background in MLOps, DevOps, or secure software development practices.Experience building AI governance frameworks or responsible AI processes.Prior experience leading AI initiatives in a startup or greenfield environment.What You’ll BringA builder’s mindset — excited to create, iterate, and scale from zero to one.A passion for AI innovation paired with a strong sense of security and responsibility.The ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.A collaborative spirit and a desire to elevate the people around you.Salary range: $170-$185KAscent Benefits Ascent provides a 401(k) plan, health insurance, accident insurance, disability insurance, paid parental leave, and unlimited paid time off. We practice stewardship of the roles and resources entrusted to us.