Principal AI Architect (Remote from anywhere in CO)

Full Job Description

Together, we innovate for a stronger Colorado

The work of employees at the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) is challenging and diverse because the needs of agencies, customers and Coloradans constantly evolve.

But our focus never changes: improve the lives of all Coloradans through innovation and collaboration.

We're building one of the nation's leading government IT organizations by reimagining how we support agencies, building first-of-their-kind applications, and creating an inclusive, collaborative culture, together.

Join us in the important work of providing equitable access to services.

Watch this video to learn more about how we're Serving People. Serving Colorado.

Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please review your application to ensure completion.

For the most equitable applicant experience, OIT’s hiring team considers only the contents of the Work Experience section of your application to review for minimum qualifications.

Though we do ask that a resume and cover letter are included in your application, please refrain from entering "See Resume" in the Work History section as valuable experience may be missed during the application review process.

The Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology is building something worth building: a statewide AI program that delivers real benefits to Coloradans while earning and keeping their trust.

We're looking for a Principal AI Architect who can lead that effort.

Someone with the technical depth to evaluate AI systems critically, the policy craft to build governance frameworks people actually use, and the communication skills to represent the state's AI posture credibly to legislators, press, and the public.

This is a role for someone who is energized by building in ambiguous environments, comfortable holding the tension between moving fast enough to matter and being careful enough to maintain public trust, and ready to establish authority through the quality of their thinking rather than organizational position.

What you'll do:

• Develop and maintain Colorado's AI governance framework, including tiered review processes, standards, and practitioner-facing guidance that agencies can actually use

• Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal requirements — and translate those requirements into practical product and procurement decisions

• Evaluate AI vendors and solutions on technical merit: architecture, security posture, integration complexity, evaluation methodology, and alignment with state standards

• Partner with agency technology leaders to identify, scope, and deliver AI initiatives that improve service delivery and operational efficiency

• Lead Colorado's AI coding assistant program and other statewide deployments — from pilot design through scaled rollout

• Build and manage KPI frameworks and reporting infrastructure to track program outcomes

• Represent Colorado's AI program externally — at legislative hearings, in national working groups, and with peer state and philanthropic partners

• Lead a small, high-performing team with high expectations and genuine investment in their growth

What you bring:

• Deep, current knowledge of the AI landscape: LLMs, RAG, agentic architectures, voice AI, AI coding assistants — sufficient to evaluate vendors critically and set meaningful technical direction

• Working knowledge of AI risk frameworks, particularly the NIST AI RMF, and how to apply them in resource-constrained environments

• Familiarity with Colorado's AI legal landscape, including SB24-205

• Experience developing governance frameworks and policy that balance accountability with delivery

• Strong technical communication skills — able to explain AI capabilities, limitations, and risks honestly to non-technical audiences without oversimplifying

• Experience managing technology programs across multiple stakeholders simultaneously
  
  

Qualifications

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

This is a skills-based job announcement. The required minimum qualifications and/or education (if substituting for the proven experience, knowledge, and skills), are as follows:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a technology domain (engineering, architecture, product management, design or similar)

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working directly with AI systems with a focus on at least one core domain: Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Deep Learning, or MLOps

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications. There is no substitution for any required management experience.

• Training or Certification related to the work assigned to the position will be assigned credit towards substitution for experience and/or education, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications.

• If the minimum qualifications include a degree requirement, additional appropriate paid or unpaid experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the public sector or other regulated industries
  

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS preferred), integration patterns, and enterprise data governance

• Experience building external relationships and contributing to national conversations on AI policy or practice

Conditions of Employment:

• OIT candidates and employees must comply with any screening procedures in place at state entity locations where they might be required to perform work.

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• Positions supporting some agencies such as the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety will also require a pre-employment drug test.

• This position may require travel within the specified geographic area, and to locations across the state as needed.

• This position may require on-call duties as needed by the position.

Additional Information

If this posting indicates “remote from anywhere in CO” in the title, periodic reporting to the primary state work location designated for the position is required. All remote work must be performed in Colorado.

While candidates from out of state will be considered for this role, the candidate selected for the position must relocate and reside in Colorado on the first day of their new position. A reasonable timeframe for relocation will be established on an individual basis, while considering business needs, and determining a start date.

We know it's important to support each other, and that means having a healthy balance of work and personal time. Visit our benefits to learn more about some of our great offerings that allow us all to have fulfilling lives.

Visit our How to Apply webpage to learn more about our application process and what to expect after you apply.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Governor's Office of Information Technology is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADA Coordinator at OIT_HR@state.co.us or call (303) 764-7900.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies based upon business need.

The Governor's Office of Information Technology does NOT offer sponsored Visas for employment purposes.