Director of AI Architecture & Platforms

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Director of AI Architecture & Platforms (HR Title = AI Director) to serve as the technical counterpart and strategic delivery partner to the Director of Practice Innovation. Together, these two roles form the core of SWCA’s AI and Automation engine and link business‑led workflow innovation with secure, scalable, enterprise-grade implementation. This role leads the design, modernization, and stewardship of SWCA’s digital platforms, data architecture, integration patterns, and automation capabilities to ensure that new AI and digitally‑enabled workflows can be delivered responsibly, securely, and at scale. The Director brings architectural rigor, platform governance, and engineering excellence to the ideas generated by Practice Innovation and business stakeholders. Reporting to the Technology Data Solutions Vice President this role will collaborate deeply across IT, Scientific & Technical Services, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Data & Analytics, and the Practice Innovation function to create a seamless, trust‑based transformation environment. 

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, salaried position. SWCA offers the flexibility of working remotely or in a hybrid capacity for those located near a local office. Travel is required for this role, at least once per quarter.  

Please provide a cover letter in addition to your resume. 

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What you will accomplish

Enterprise Application Architecture, Platforms & Data Foundations (35%) 

• Define and maintain SWCA’s enterprise application architecture, ensuring digital, data, and AI capabilities align with strategic business priorities and technology roadmaps. 
• Lead design and governance of secure, scalable digital platform architectures including cloud services, integration layers, automation frameworks and application modernization. 
• Ensure platforms and data foundations support AI‑enabled workflows, including the prioritized data fabrics and architecture standards referenced in enterprise transformation. 
• Establish architectural patterns for reusable components, APIs, microservices, and data pipelines to accelerate development. 
• Partner with Data & Analytics leadership to define authoritative data sources, interoperability standards, and metadata requirements. 

Solution Delivery & Technical Enablement (30%) 

• Translate business‑driven workflow concepts from the Director of Practice Innovation into technical solution architectures, prototypes, and delivery plans. 
• Oversee technical design reviews, threat modeling, code quality controls, and platform engineering practices across internal and external development teams. 
• Maintain active awareness of industry trends, competitor capabilities, and emerging digital, data, and AI platforms, and assess their implications for SWCA’s architecture, platform investments, and delivery approach. 
• Ensure solutions follow secure‑by‑design principles aligned with technology integration patterns referenced in enterprise digital acceleration guidance.  
• Lead implementation of AI‑augmented applications, automation, and integration services that support both internal operations and client-facing digital solutions. 
• Collaborate with IT Infrastructure & Security to ensure reliability, scalability, and defensibility of deployed systems. 

Governance, Risk, and Responsible Technology Use (20%) 

• Develop and maintain platform governance, data governance, and architectural decision frameworks in close partnership with Legal, IT Security, Compliance, and Practice Innovation. 
• Ensure clear boundaries for secure usage of AI, data access, APIs, automation tools, and third‑party platforms that balance innovation with defensibility. 
• Oversee vendor ecosystem strategy, procurement standards, and evaluation of new digital technologies, ensuring alignment with enterprise security, data, and operational requirements. 
• Establish technical documentation, architectural repositories, standards, and lifecycle management practices. 

Cross‑Functional Leadership & AI Partnership (15%) 

• Serve as the technical co‑leader of SWCA’s digital and AI operating model. Co‑owner of roadmaps, outcomes, and adoption measures with the Director of Practice Innovation. 
• Influence leaders and teams without direct authority, strengthening trust in digital systems and the technical feasibility of business transformations. 
• Provide transparent, executive‑level communication on technology risks, opportunities, capacity, and platform performance.
• Ensure teams across the organization understand architectural tradeoffs, platform constraints, and the “why” behind technical decisions.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred. 
• 10+ years of experience leading enterprise architecture, platform engineering, solution architecture, or cloud engineering in professional services or similar complex environments. 
• Demonstrated experience implementing secure, scalable digital platforms, including cloud services, data architecture, application integration, and workflow automation. 
• Experience partnering closely with business transformation, product owners, and operational leaders to translate requirements into robust technical solutions. 
• Strong familiarity with modern AI, automation, and digital workflow technologies, with an emphasis on building defensible, governed, human‑in‑the‑loop systems. 
• Demonstrated success designing and governing enterprise-scale cloud and data platforms (e.g., Azure architectures, API management, event streaming, data pipelines). 
• Proven ability to lead through influence, communicate complex technical topics in plain language, and build alignment among non‑technical audiences. 

Desired Competencies & Attributes 

• Enterprise & Systems Thinking: Designs platforms and architecture for scale, reuse, interoperability, and long-term maintainability. 
• Security & Risk Orientation: Deep understanding of secure design principles, data protection, identity management, and compliance expectations. 
• Architecture Rigor & Delivery Pragmatism: Balances ideal architectural design with delivery realities, deadlines, and business impact. 
• Cross‑Functional Leadership: Excels at bridging business needs and technical implementation pathways. 
• Continuous Learning: Tracks emerging technologies, assesses platform implications, and adjusts strategies as tools evolve. 
• Communications & Translation: Able to explain complex architectural decisions and risks in clear, accessible language. 

What Success Looks Like in This Role 

• Digital and AI workflow ideas from Practice Innovation can be implemented faster, more securely, and with higher adoption. 
• Engineering and architecture teams operate with clearer patterns, reusable components, and governance structures. 
• Business teams trust platform reliability, data integrity, and the technical safeguards that support AI usage. 
• SWCA’s digital ecosystem becomes more resilient, integrated, and scalable that positions the company for long-term advantage. 

Why Work at SWCA: 

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture. 

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story. 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. 

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. 

An employee in this corporate based position can expect an annual salary of: $153,878/year to $201,052/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.   

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers. 

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