[Hiring] Principal AI & ML Architect @National Debt Relief

Role Description

National Debt Relief (NDR) is seeking a Principal AI & ML Architect to design and build the AI and machine learning systems that power our Data Science and Applied AI teams. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Data and AI, this senior individual contributor serves both teams equally, helping shape shared architecture standards while staying hands-on in code.

A core focus of this role is helping design NDR’s agentic architecture: the frameworks, patterns, and platforms that allow AI agents to reason, use tools, and act reliably across both predictive ML and Generative AI use cases. You will partner closely with the Directors of Data Science and Applied AI, as well as Data Engineering and Analytics Platforms, to move solutions from prototype to secure, scalable production.

This is a unique opportunity for a technically deep, pragmatic architect who enjoys both whiteboard design and production delivery to shape how AI is built across a mission-driven company. This is a highly collaborative role, and strong teamwork and interpersonal skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. Master’s or PhD is strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in ML engineering, data science, AI engineering, or software architecture roles.
• 3+ years in a senior, staff, principal, or architect-level role setting technical direction across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated success designing and deploying production-grade ML models and Generative AI applications at scale.
• Hands-on experience designing and shipping agentic AI systems (LLM agents, tool use, multi-step workflows) to production.

Requirements

• Expert Python skills and a track record of writing production-quality, well-tested code.
• Strong SQL proficiency (Snowflake preferred) for data preparation and model enablement workflows.
• Deep understanding of LLMs, RAG architectures, vector databases, prompt engineering, and agent frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Agent SDK, or similar).
• Strong grounding in classical ML, including supervised and unsupervised learning, time series, anomaly detection, and NLP.
• Experience with MLOps and LLMOps tooling, including model registries, experiment tracking, evaluation frameworks, and monitoring.
• Experience deploying models and services via APIs using tools such as FastAPI and Docker, with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience with version control (e.g., Git) and CI/CD practices.
• Ability to influence without authority and build consensus across teams with different priorities.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex architecture to executive and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience applying an AI-first approach to development, using AI coding assistants and agentic tools to accelerate delivery.

Benefits

• Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off, Sick Days, and Vacation
• 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Pre-tax Transit Benefits
• No-Cost Life Insurance Benefits
• Voluntary Benefits Options
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Discount
• Wellness Incentive Program

Company Description

National Debt Relief was founded in 2009 with the goal of helping an expanding number of consumers deal with overwhelming debt. We are one of the most-trusted and best-rated consumer debt relief providers in the United States.

As a leading debt settlement organization, we have helped over 450,000 people settle over $10 billion of debt, while empowering them to lead a healthier financial lifestyle and feel free to live their best life.

At National Debt Relief, we treat our clients like real people. Our purpose is to elevate, empower, and transform their lives.

Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, our goal is to help individuals and families get out of debt with the least possible cost through conducting financial consultations, educating the consumer and recommending the appropriate solution.

We become our clients' number one advocate to help them reestablish financial stability as quickly as possible.