Principal AI Architect Job at Wells Fargo (Charlotte)

Job Description

Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal AI Architect to lead how Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) AI capabilities are designed, secured, and governed across the SaaS platforms used throughout our Enterprise Functions Technology (EFT) organization. AI is quickly becoming a core part of the SaaS products our teams rely on — from embedded copilots and agents to vendor-integrated models. This role sits at the center of how those capabilities are adopted: defining the patterns, principles, and guardrails that let teams move fast while keeping security, resiliency, governance, and risk firmly in view. Alongside this SaaS focus, you'll provide broader AI-architecture coverage for EFT, advising teams on AI-enabled solutions wherever they're being built. This is a highly visible role with regular interaction with senior technology leaders. You'll be expected to shape strategy and direction while staying close to real architecture and design decisions. Your work will span multiple SaaS platforms, and the standards you set will be shared broadly — directly shaping how AI-enabled SaaS solutions are built and evolved at Wells Fargo.

Job Responsibility

Set the architecture direction for how AI capabilities are designed, integrated, and governed across EFT's SaaS platforms — defining current-state, target-state, and transition architectures
Create and socialize the patterns, principles, standards, and guardrails that let teams adopt AI in SaaS products quickly and safely, addressing security, resiliency, governance, and risk
Evaluate and guide the safe adoption of AI features in third-party SaaS products — including embedded copilots, agents, and model integrations — with particular attention to how vendor AI accesses and handles enterprise data
Provide AI-architecture coverage across the wider EFT organization, advising product and engineering teams on AI-enabled solutions beyond SaaS where needed
Advise senior technology and business leaders on complex, first-of-their-kind AI and SaaS challenges, delivering scalable, long-term architectural solutions
Ensure AI-enabled SaaS solutions meet Wells Fargo's security policies, risk controls, data-protection requirements, and architecture governance — partnering closely with risk, compliance, and information security teams
Guide the selection and adoption of architecture frameworks, reference patterns, and strategic tooling for SaaS and AI platforms
Stay current on emerging AI technologies, SaaS trends, and the evolving AI regulatory landscape, recommending innovations that improve efficiency, resiliency, and scalability
Influence internal technology roadmaps and, where appropriate, vendor AI strategies to support enterprise-wide outcomes
Serve as a trusted, hands-on architectural advisor and domain expert to technologists, product teams, and leaders at every level

Requirements

7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education
5+ years of software engineering experience demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education
3+ years of experience working with Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products, as an architect, an engineer, or a combination of both
3+ years of experience working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) technologies
Ability to work on site in one of the posted locations
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Nice to have

Hands-on understanding of modern AI architecture patterns — such as large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agents, vector stores, and model/API integration — and the risks specific to them (e.g., prompt injection, data leakage, hallucination, model and data poisoning)
Familiarity with AI governance, risk, and security frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, ISO/IEC 42001, and the OWASP Top 10 for LLMs
Knowledge of modern cybersecurity practices and IT risk controls, particularly as they apply to SaaS and AI-enabled systems
An architect's ability to think broadly and systemically, and to exert thought leadership, paired with an engineer's hands-on mentality and focus on delivery
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex AI and security concepts into business-friendly language for technologists, senior managers, and executive leadership
Subject-matter expertise in corporate-functions e.g., Legal, Public Affairs, Finance

What we offer

Health benefits
401(k) Plan
Paid time off
Disability benefits
Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
Parental leave
Critical caregiving leave
Discounts and savings
Commuter benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Scholarships for dependent children
Adoption reimbursement

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Principal AI Architect

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