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Hybrid in Serbia, Bulgaria
Solution Architecture
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We are looking for an exceptional CTO-level Solution Architect who operates at the intersection of technology strategy, business outcomes, AI Architecture and AI-native engineering. This is a senior, client-facing role for a “caterpillar-shaped” technologist — someone with deep expertise across multiple business domains and technology stacks, spanning Enterprise & Business strategy, Technology Organization & Strategy, Solution Architecture, and Implementation. You will be both a strategic advisor to C-level clients and a hands-on technologist willing to roll up your sleeves to prove ideas through POCs.
Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted advisor to client CTOs, CIOs, CDOs and other C-suite stakeholders on technology strategy, target operating models and large-scale digital and AI transformation
- Own client relationships and shape future opportunities — extend your network deep into ED, MD and C-level decision-makers; sell vision at the highest level and pitch capabilities directly to executives
- Lead complex consulting engagements of large scale and international scope; oversee multiple client accounts; drive strategy and transformation programs from discovery through roadmap to execution
- Run executive workshops, technology assessments and architecture reviews; translate complex IT concepts for non-technical executives and guide them through technical intricacies
- Operate as a fluent AI-native technologist, aligned with EPAM's AI/Run™ Transform strategy — AI-Native Delivery (AI-powered SDLC with agentic workflows), AI-Driven Modernization and Agentic Solutions across the Product Development Lifecycle
- Define target-state AI reference architectures at enterprise scale; design AI Centers of Excellence, governance bodies and operating models that combine platform, product and federated team patterns
- Operate fluently in AI-native development environments daily; able to teach delivery teams how to do the same
- Maintain working fluency with GenAI / LLM stacks, agentic frameworks and AI-native engineering tools (e.g., Cursor and similar)
- Represent EPAM as a speaker at major external industry conferences and analyst events (Gartner, Forrester, IDC summits, hyperscaler/partner conferences, industry-vertical events)
- Present at EPAM internal C-level and senior leadership forums
- Author technology points of view, whitepapers, blueprints and reference architectures published through EPAM's Presales Portal, Technology platform and external channels
- Personally build AI POCs and proofs of value during pursuits and early-stage engagements — end-to-end, in code, deployed and demonstrable. Not just slideware
- Produce architectural artifacts: reference architectures, blueprints, target operating models, governance frameworks, transition roadmaps
- Lead pre-sales response on strategic, complex pursuits; partner with sales, account and consulting leadership on multi-million-dollar opportunities
- Evolve service offerings, accelerators and reusable IP; contribute to EPAM's offering portfolio
- Recommend top talent and senior staff for engagements; recruit, upsell and expand within accounts
- Mentor and coach Senior SAs, Lead Engineers and emerging architects; act as a mentor/coach to others advancing into senior leadership positions
Requirements
- Deep, multi-stage career across software engineering, architecture and technology consulting, with significant time in client-facing senior advisory roles
- Demonstrable track record of leadership on large, international, transformational engagements end-to-end — from C-level discovery through architecture and delivery
- Proven success on multi-million-dollar technology programs
- Existing personal brand and senior network in the technology community
- "Caterpillar-shaped" expertise: deep in multiple technology stacks AND multiple business domains across enterprise, solution and implementation layers
- Strong command of cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, event-driven architectures, integration and security-by-design
- AI-native fluency: GenAI / LLMs, RAG, agentic systems, MLOps, AI governance and ethics, AI-augmented SDLC; able to lead an AI POC personally
- Comfortable with industry-endorsed frameworks (TOGAF, ArchiMate, Zachman, BIAN, etc.)
- Outstanding executive communication and negotiation skills — proven track record of influence on C-level decisions
- Thought leadership in industry — recognized speaker and contributor in domain or technology communities
- Open-minded, curious and intellectually honest — actively seeks dissenting views, comfortable being challenged and changes course on evidence
- Ability to simplify the complex for non-technical audiences without loss of fidelity level; leads pre-sales response on EPAM's most strategic pursuits
Nice to have
- Prior production experience with operation and construction of AI systems, beyond POCs, is a huge plus