Principal Architect (SaaS/AI)

TL;DR

Principal Architect (SaaS/AI): Define and drive architectural vision across product ecosystem, designing scalable API-first cloud-native frameworks with an accent on embedding AI/ML and Generative AI capabilities into core experiences and automation. Focus on modernizing legacy systems, integrating AI-powered services, and establishing scalable patterns for AI adoption organization-wide.

Location: Austin, TX (hybrid, 2–3 days in office). Candidates must have current and future unrestricted authorization to work in the US; no immigration sponsorship.

Company

$250M recurring revenue SaaS business with 33+ applications serving 12 vertical markets, headquartered in Austin, TX and scaling rapidly.

What you will do

• Drive platform-oriented architecture for reuse across products, standardize capabilities like identity and AI services, lead HLD/LLD for new systems.
• Architect RESTful/GraphQL APIs, backend (PHP), microservices with focus on scalability, resilience, and observability.
• Define scalable frontend architecture for React applications, including state management and UI modularity.
• Design AI/ML integrations, embed GenAI/LLM features, operationalize models, define LLMOps patterns, optimize inference.
• Provide technology-agnostic leadership, migration strategies from legacy to modern stacks, support M&A integrations.
• Establish governance, security standards (OAuth2, JWT), responsible AI practices; collaborate with leaders, mentor teams.

Requirements

• 10+ years software engineering, 5+ years in architecture roles.
• Strong expertise in API-first/service-oriented architectures, backend (PHP preferred), React frontend, MySQL relational DB design.
• Proven experience with scalable high-availability web apps, cloud-native (AWS), DevOps/CI/CD/containerization.
• Experience integrating AI/ML into production systems.
• Strong system design, performance optimization, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice to have

• Multi-product SaaS environments, microservices, event-driven architecture, message queues.
• Container orchestration (ECS, Kubernetes), modern frontend ecosystems, GenAI/LLM features.
• Architecture certifications (TOGAF, AWS Solutions Architect).

Culture & Benefits

• Values: Obsess over customers, Own it together, Move fast with purpose; customer-focused, execution-driven, collaborative.
• Comprehensive benefits: Medical/dental/vision, 100% employer-paid disability/life, 401(k) with 4% match.
• Flexible PTO, 10 sick days, 10 holidays, 6 weeks parental leave, pet insurance, Teladoc, EAP, wellness platform.