Principal Architect, Agentic AI

Job Description:

Reports To: Vice President of Cloud Platform & Architecture

Summary:

As the Principal AI Architect , you will be a key strategic player in transforming Vertex's AI capabilities and ensuring our platform leads in the domain of indirect tax software solutions. Your primary responsibility will be driving the architecture, design, and integration of AI-driven technologies that leverage AI agents to push the boundaries of what's possible in tax automation, compliance, and business intelligence. You will lead cross-functional teams to design, prototype, and implement advanced AI architectures and solutions.

The ideal candidate will possess leadership experience and deep expertise in AI agents, cloud infrastructure, semantic search, and multi-cloud integrations, with a strong focus on optimizing performance, security, and scalability. In addition

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• AI Agents & Semantic Kernel
  Lead the development and integration of AI Agents and Semantic Kernel to drive intelligent automation and problem-solving across Vertex's Cloud Platform. Define and execute use cases, integration strategies, and optimization for delivering AI-driven insights to customers.
• AI Search Integration
  
  Oversee the integration of AI Search into the Vertex Cloud Platform. Design and implement AI-powered search features to improve discoverability, accuracy, and relevance of data across the platform, enhancing user experience and business insights.
• Cross-Cloud Collaboration
  Design and implement Agent-to-Agent Protocols that enable seamless collaboration between AI agents across multi-cloud environments (AWS + Azure). Develop scalable and efficient cross-cloud AI interaction frameworks that ensure consistent performance and data integrity.
• AOAI Deployment
  Lead efforts to optimize AOAI deployment models to balance performance, scalability, and cost. Drive strategic decisions on deployment architectures and licensing models to maximize the value Vertex provides to customers while maintaining cost-efficiency.
  
  Hybrid Database Server Management
  Oversee the integration of database server management solutions for centralized management and optimization of SQL and NOSQL Servers across hybrid environments. Ensure high availability, security, and efficient resource usage in cloud-based and on-prem environments.
• Cloud-based Data Warehousing Platform
  
  Develop and implement strategies for Snowflake and similar technologies, enabling Vertex's Copilot features. Architect and manage the flow of data across systems to ensure seamless and high-performance experiences for customers using Vertex's intelligent tools.
• Automating Complex Workflows
  
  Spearhead the development of automated complex workflows through API-driven interactions, implementing Conversational User Agent capabilities. Improve AI response times, accuracy, and functionality for end-users.
• Model & Infrastructure Security
  
  Ensure robust security for AI models and infrastructure. Implement strategies that ensure customer isolation in multi-tenant environments and secure access to sensitive data. Work with compliance and security teams to meet industry standards and regulations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Have the ability and experience to lead a team of geo-diverse AI developers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Self-starter with an in-depth hands-on work experience with multiple large-scale implementations of Azure and AWS.
• Knowledge multiple development and scripting languages and DevOps tools, CI/CD pipelines
• Direct experience migrating, refactoring, and re-engineering complex enterprise applications from legacy platforms to public cloud.
• Development of complex network and security architectures
• Understanding of AI/ML and AI Agents, and advanced analytics and the application thereof in cloud-native environments
• Strong experience working with a relational database and NoSQL database.
• Strong experience of developing multi-threaded and synchronization application
• Experience working with Agile teams to enable incremental delivery of value with intentional architecture.
• Experience with product centric organizations and developing technical roadmaps.
• Experience coordinating across teams to balance multiple delivery priorities.
• Strong analytical background with the ability to maintain deep leading-edge skills across at least one hyperscaler (AWS, Azure)
• Understanding of Infrastructure, Networking, and DevOps scripting and tooling
• Container experience with Docker and Kubernetes or other container orchestration platforms
• Understanding of Identity and Access Management, user and system authentication methods and certificates, tokens, and certificate management
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, communication, coaching, analysis, problem solving and short term and long-term planning.
• Experienced, persuasive, and effective presenter, both written and verbal
• Experience leading high performance, results driven teams with a focus on customer satisfaction.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, ability to handle diverse situations, multiple initiatives, and rapidly changing priorities.
• Must be a self-starter who requires minimal supervision.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering
• 10+ years of experience in cloud computing and related fields
• Strong understanding of public cloud computing technologies primarily in AWS and Azure
• Direct experience migrating, refactoring, and re-engineering complex enterprise applications from legacy platforms to public cloud.
• Development of complex network and security architectures
• AWS or Azure Cloud Architecture, Engineering, DevOps, and/or Security certifications
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or closely related field is required or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Master's degree is preferred.

Other Qualifications
The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.

Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule - better is the enemy of done. Don't spend hours when minutes are enough.

Work with Purpose - Exhibit a "We Can" mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.

Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you're unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.

Pay Transparency Statement:

US Base Salary Range: $229,800.00 - $298,700.00

Base pay offered to new hires may vary based upon factors including relevant industry and job-related skills and experience, geographic location, and business needs.* The range displayed does not encompass the full potential of the role, which allows for further growth and career progression.

In addition, as a part of our total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB), a role-specific sales commission/bonus, and/or equity grants.

Learn more about Life at Vertex and connect with your recruiter for more details regarding Vertex's compensation and benefit programs.

*In no case will your pay fall below applicable local minimum wage requirements.