CUNA Mutual Group

Principal Forward Deployed Architect - AI Data Foundations

CUNA Mutual Group$158K — $237K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, or similar field, or equivalent experience.
  • 10+ years in data architecture, engineering, and cloud platforms.
  • 4 years of hands-on AI/ML, LLMs, automation experience.
  • Proven track record in progressing concepts to production.
  • Excellent communication with both technical and executive teams.
  • Expertise in risk, governance, and trust in data and AI.
  • Fluency in Systems integration and DataOps.

Responsibilities

  • Lead data teams to identify high value AI use cases and build data products.
  • Design and deliver rapid proofs of concept (POCs) and minimum viable products (MVPs).
  • Act as a forward-deployed resource to refine AI solutions based on team contexts.
  • Translate business needs into practical AI-driven solutions.
  • Create and document architecture patterns and standards for data management.
  • Collaborate with AI architect to set best practices for integration.
  • Mentor teams on AI architectural best practices and build communities of practice.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment that emphasizes work-life balance.
  • Career growth opportunities and retirement assistance.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • Employee assistance and life insurance programs.
  • 401k with employer match included.
  • Paid time off and parental leave policies.
  • Tuition reimbursement to support educational growth.
Full Job Description
Job Responsibilities:
Rapid POC & MVP Delivery (Agentic AI)
  • Embedded into Data Strategy team, lead data engineering, platform, and business teams to identify high value Agentic AI use cases (e.g., Data Product Build, data quality automation, metadata management, governance assistance).
  • Design and deliver rapid POCs and MVPs embedded in real TruStage data environments.
  • Evaluate agent performance, reliability, controls, and human in the loop patterns.
Forward Deployment & Embedded Engagement
  • Act as a forward deployed resource, embedding with teams to co define problems, refine use cases, and adapt solutions in context.
  • Translate ambiguous business and operational needs into practical AI driven data solutions.
  • Ensure solutions fit TruStage27s operating model, risk posture, and regulatory expectations.
Architecture, Standards & Methodology
  • Create architect design patterns, standards and methodology that will be followed by data management teams to scale Agentic/AI work.
  • Closely collaborate with Enterprise AI architect for setting best practices, standards and governance process for MCP/AA/API based integration patterns.
  • Document learnings from POCs and MVPs into:
    • Reference architectures for Agentic AI;
    • Design patterns and guardrails;
    • Deployment and operating standards.
  • Define processes and methodologies for developing, deploying, and governing Agentic AI in data domains in accordance and partnership with AI Governance team as needed
  • Establish criteria for scalability, security, observability, and cost management.
Scale Enablement & Adoption
  • Partner with central platform, data governance, and engineering leaders to industrialize validated patterns.
  • Enable teams with clear playbooks, templates, and examples to scale Agentic AI safely and consistently.
  • Influence roadmap priorities based on field learnings and adoption signals.
Feedback Loop to Strategy
  • Provide continuous feedback to D&A leadership on:
    • What works vs. what doesn27t in real deployment;
    • Capability gaps and tooling needs;
    • Change management and operating model implications.
  • Help TruStage evolve from experimentation to AI-enabled data operations at scale.
Platform & Ecosystem Strategy
  • Influence enterprise AI/data platform capabilities, AI tool selection, and integration standards.
  • In collaboration with AI COE, evaluate emerging Agentic AI frameworks, orchestration platforms, vector technologies, and LLM tooling for enterprise fit.
  • Emerging Technologies & Trends:  Assess vendor capabilities, strategic partnerships, and technology maturity to accelerate delivery while minimizing lock-in risk.
Organizational Enablement & Capability Building
  • Mentor architects, engineers, and data teams on Agentic AI patterns and architectural best practices for data management.
  • Build internal communities of practice and reusable knowledge assets.
  • Reference Architecture Ownership 2D AI Data Foundations.
  • Establish and maintain enterprise reference architectures for multi-agent systems, orchestration patterns, memory/context management, and integration with enterprise data platforms.
The above statement of duties is not intended to be all inclusive and other duties will be assigned from time to time. Job Requirements:
  • Bachelor27s degree in information technology, computer science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or related professional work experience.
  • 10+ years of strong background in data architecture, data engineering, and cloud platforms.
  • 4 years of hands-on experience with AI/ML, LLMs, automation, or orchestration technologies.
  • Proven ability to move from concept to prototype to production.
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
  • Strong communication skills across technical and executive audiences.
  • Deep appreciation for risk, governance, and trust in data and AI.
  • Systems integration expertise.
  • Cross-functional execution (engineering, product, security, operations, and business teams).
  • Infrastructure and DataOps fluency.
  • Change management and adoption.
  • Graph technologies 2D ontologies, knowledge graphs, semantics, context graphs.
  • Prefer prior experience in the insurance or finance industry
At this time, we27re not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional worka0authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but ISa0
NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc #LI-SW If you27re ready to help make a difference, apply today.A resume is required to apply. TruStage may process applicant information using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. This tool automatically generates a screening score based on how well applicant information matches the requirements and qualifications for the position. TruStage recruiters use the screening score as a guide to further evaluate candidates; the score is one component of an application review and does not automatically determine whether a candidate moves forward. Candidates may choose to opt out of this process. Compensation may vary based on the job level, your geographic work location, position incentive plan and exemption status. Base Salary Range: $158,000.00 - $237,000.00 At TruStage, we believe a sound, inclusive benefits program is of vital importance, along with a flexible workplace that allows for work-life balance, career growth and retirement assistance. In addition to your base pay, your position may be eligible for an annual incentive (bonus) plan. Additional benefits available to eligible employees include medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, life insurance, disability plans, parental leave, paid time off, 401k, and tuition reimbursement, just to name a few. Beyond pay and benefits, we also recognize that flexibility, including working in a place you prefer, is essential to caring for our employees. We will continue to strive to offer flexibility and invest in technology and other tools that will make hybrid working normal rather than an exception, so that when 22life happens,22 you can focus on what27s most important.

About CUNA Mutual Group

CUNA Mutual Group is an insurance and financial services company that provides a range of products and services to credit unions and their members. The company's offerings include life, disability, and long-term care insurance, as well as retirement planning and investment services. CUNA Mutual Group was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The company has more than 5,000 employees and serves more than 95% of credit unions in the United States.
Learn more about CUNA Mutual Group
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1935

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