AI Solutions Architect - SMBC

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we'll always strive to be better, we're proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the expanding AI & Innovation team within Architecture & Engineering function at a key stage in SMBC EMEA's AI journey. The team plays a central role in shaping and delivering AI strategy, governance, product discovery, adoption and enterprise AI solutions across the region.

We are seeking a hands-on AI Solutions Architect to take end-to-end ownership of AI solution design, from initial use case intake through to architecture, governance approval and delivery . The role is focused on turning high-value business use cases into secure, scalable and production-ready solutions aligned to SMBC's enterprise technology stack.

The successful candidate will work closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, and control functions to design and drive solutions through Solution Design Authority (SDA) and AI governance processes, ensuring alignment with security, data privacy, and regulatory requirements.

This is a highly practical role, combining solution architecture with hands-on engagement in prototyping, validation and delivery. It requires a strong technical foundation across enterprise architecture (including cloud, integration, and security), as well as the ability to operate effectively across a complex stakeholder landscape.

The role will suit someone who is proactive, delivery-focused and technically credible, with the ability to take ownership, drive outcomes end-to-end, and work collaboratively across teams to bring solutions into production.

"The anticipated salary range for this role is £92,000-£138,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision."

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of AI solutions from initial use case intake through to production deployment, ensuring designs are practical, scalable and aligned to business objectives.
• Translate business requirements into end-to-end solution architectures aligned to SMBC's current and evolving technology stack.
• Design and implement AI solutions across enterprise platforms, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Platform, Azure AI services, Google GCP and other approved technologies
• Define solution options, trade-offs and implementation approaches, ensuring designs are fit for purpose and deliverable in practice.
  Lead solution design through Solution Design Authority (SDA) and other internal architecture forums, driving outcomes and securing approvals.
• Prepare and own architecture artefacts, including design documents, technical specifications, integration patterns and governance submissions.
• Support and drive AI governance processes, including risk assessments, control alignment and production readiness activities.
• Ensure all solutions align with AI Policy, AI Standard, security, data privacy and regulatory requirements
• Work closely with engineering and delivery teams to ensure solution designs are effectively implemented and meet intended outcomes.
• Provide hands-on support in prototyping, validation and troubleshooting where required.
• Act as the technical point of accountability for solution design decisions throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Design solutions with full consideration of enterprise architecture, including integration, data flows, identity, access controls, security boundaries, infrastructure and operational resilience.
• Collaborate with business, technology, architecture, security, data privacy and risk teams to drive solutions forward and resolve design challenges.
• Engage stakeholders confidently, clearly communicating solution approaches, constraints and trade-offs.
• Work with strategic partners, vendors approved suppliers to shape and validate solution designs.
• Develop reusable architecture patterns, templates and technical guidance for common AI use cases.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of AI solution standards, design practices and governance processes.
• Support business adoption through practical examples, demonstrations and hands-on guidance
• Operate as a proactive, hands-on team player, taking ownership of outcomes and driving progress across multiple initiatives

Required Experience

• Strong understanding of AI and generative AI solution architectures, including large language models (LLMs), agent-based patterns, workflow orchestration and enterprise AI integration
• Practical experience applying techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), knowledge grounding, prompt engineering and human-in-the-loop design patterns
• Experience designing secure and controlled AI solutions, including guardrails, responsible AI, explainability and governance considerations
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex technology solutions in a regulated enterprise environment, with ownership from initial requirements through to production deployment
• Strong hands-on experience in solution architecture, with the ability to translate business requirements into end-to-end, implementable designs
• Experience working with enterprise AI platforms (e.g. Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI, Power Platform or comparable ecosystems), with the ability to design solutions across multiple technologiesAbility to lea