Overview:

Principal Software Architect, Core42 – United States

Core42, a leader in AI-powered cloud and digital infrastructure, is driving transformative technology solutions globally. Leveraging advanced resources and partnerships, Core42 empowers clients to harness sovereign AI infrastructure, especially in sectors with stringent regulatory needs. With a mission to redefine digital transformation, we combine sovereign capabilities with scalable, high-performance compute infrastructure, positioning ourselves at the forefront of AI innovation in the Middle East and beyond.

With a diverse team of 1,100+ employees globally from ~70 nationalities, we foster an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative environment. At Core42, we foster a culture grounded in trust, accountability and high performance. We are united by our values: Grit, where we overcome challenges with resilience and determination, Passion, which drives us to pursue excellence in everything we do, and Impact, as we aim to inspire progress and create meaningful change. Our team members thrive in an environment where each person’s contributions propel us forward, and together, we commit to achieving extraordinary results.

The Opportunity

The Principal Software Architect will be responsible for defining and driving the overall architectural vision and strategy across the organization. This role demands executive-level technical leadership, a comprehensive understanding of enterprise architecture principles, and the ability to shape technology roadmaps that align with Core42's business objectives. The Principal Software Architect will lead architectural governance, make critical technology decisions that impact the entire organization, and serve as the final technical authority on enterprise-wide architecture initiatives.

This role is hybrid in San Jose, CA, or Austin, TX. 

Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evangelize the enterprise-wide architectural vision, strategy, and roadmap that supports Core42's business objectives and growth plans.
• Lead architecture governance across the organization, establishing frameworks, principles, and standards that ensure technical alignment and excellence.
• Serve as the final technical authority for critical architectural decisions, resolving complex design challenges and technical conflicts.
• Drive innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and architectural approaches, determining how they can create competitive advantages for Core42.
• Develop reference architectures and technical blueprints that enable consistent implementation across multiple projects and business units.
• Lead architectural reviews for major initiatives, identifying risks, dependencies, and opportunities for optimization or reuse.
• Build and maintain relationships with key technology partners and vendors, influencing their product roadmaps to align with Core42's strategic needs.
• Establish metrics and KPIs to measure architectural effectiveness, technical debt, and alignment with business outcomes.
• Mentor senior architects and technical leaders, developing architectural capabilities throughout the organization.
• Collaborate with C-suite executives to translate business strategy into technology strategy and articulate the value of architectural investments.
• Drive the adoption of advanced AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), into Core42's products and solutions.
• Represent Core42 as a thought leader at industry events, conferences, and with strategic clients.
• Lead architecture crisis response for critical technical incidents, providing expert guidance for resolution.
• Oversee the development of comprehensive enterprise architecture documentation and knowledge management systems.
• Champion security and compliance by design, ensuring these considerations are embedded in all architectural decisions.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in software architecture, design, and development with at least 5 years in principal or chief architect roles.
• Proven track record of defining and implementing enterprise architecture for large-scale, mission-critical systems.
• Expert knowledge in multiple cloud platforms, with particular emphasis on Azure and hybrid cloud architectures.
• Deep expertise in architectural patterns for high-performance, scalable, and resilient distributed systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of AI/ML architecture patterns, particularly those involving Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Experience architecting solutions that meet complex regulatory and data sovereignty requirements.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to C-level executives and translate business strategy into technology strategy.
• Expert knowledge of security architecture principles and compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
• Demonstrated leadership in building architectural governance frameworks and driving their adoption.
• Experience in establishing enterprise-wide technical standards and reference architectures.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal English communication skills.

Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or related field.
• Experience architecting sovereign cloud solutions for sensitive industries (government, healthcare, finance).
• Track record of patents or published research in relevant technical domains.
• Experience with GPU-accelerated computing architectures for AI workloads.
• Background in designing ethical AI frameworks and responsible AI governance.
• Experience with quantum computing or other emerging computational paradigms.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary for this full-time position ranges from $189,050.00 in our lowest geographic market to $283,600.00 in our highest geographic market. The actual base salary will be determined by various factors, including the position’s location, job-related skills, knowledge, experience, and relevant education or training.

Certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit-based salary increases, annual bonuses, and long-term incentive plans, which are contingent on individual and company performance. Additionally, some positions offer the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization targets.

As a full-time employee, you will also have access to comprehensive benefits, including leading healthcare options (medical, dental, and vision insurance), a 401(k) plan with company matching, company-sponsored short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, paid time off, and various well-being benefits, among others.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Core42 is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. 

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact us at USA-ExternalCandidates@core42.ai.