Platform Architect - AI

Circle K Business Centre is hiring an experienced Platform Architect specialized in AI to design, implement, and scale AI-driven solutions across various domains including computer vision, language models, document processing, and data-driven automation. The first project focuses on a visual similarity search solution for automated verification of store display compliance.

• 5+ years of software architecture experience, including 2–3 years focused on AI/ML systems
• Strong understanding of machine learning fundamentals, deep learning, and modern NLP/LLM architectures
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their AI/ML services
• Experience with MLOps tools such as MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker, and CI/CD for ML pipelines
• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face
• Experience with vector databases, retrieval augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, and agentic AI frameworks
• Solid grasp of data architecture, APIs, and system integration patterns
• Excellent communication skills for explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience leading technical teams or mentoring engineers

Additional project-specific requirements:

• Hands-on experience with production computer vision pipelines: object detection, embedding models, vector/hybrid search
• Familiarity with ecosystems such as DETR, YOLO-family models, Roboflow, and vector databases like Pinecone
• Ability to evaluate cost trade-offs between self-hosted GPU and managed/SaaS inference
• Understanding of open-source model licensing constraints (AGPL, Apache, MIT) and business implications
• Experience designing systems with multiple parallel decision signals
• Working knowledge of AWS ML/GPU services such as SageMaker, EC2 GPU, and Bedrock
• Experience making architectural decisions under time and budget pressure

Nice to have:

• Prior experience in retail related to product recognition, planograms, and store display compliance

• Design end-to-end architecture for AI/ML systems from proof of concept to production
• Select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and models
• Oversee integration of AI solutions with existing systems and data infrastructure
• Evaluate build vs. buy decisions including cost modelling and vendor lock-in risks
• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, cost-efficient, and compliant with regulations such as GDPR and the EU AI Act
• Guide MLOps/LLMOps practices including retraining triggers, drift monitoring, versioning strategy, and rollback paths
• Mentor AI Engineers on AI architecture patterns and best practices
• Stay current with AI landscape technologies and assess applicability
• Create and maintain technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and decision records
• Act as the technical liaison to the organization's AI Security function and ensure adherence to security standards

Project-specific requirements (visual similarity search):

• Design and maintain pipeline architecture involving product detection, visual embedding, OCR, category classification, and hybrid query to vector database
• Decide on specific models and components weighing trade-offs such as accuracy, cost, licensing, and delivery time
• Design category-specific query strategies based on signal dominance
• Make hosting and cost decisions between self-hosted GPU infrastructure and managed services
• Define and oversee API contract for AI pipeline integration
• Set measurable quality thresholds jointly with Product Owner
• Verify license compliance of chosen components
• Provide architectural oversight and code review for AI/ML Engineer's work
• Plan improvement loop using approved image crops as reference material
• Engage AI Security team early to review data flows, access controls, encryption, and data-retention policies

We hereby inform that in the company Circle K Business Centre Poland sp. z o.o. with registered office in Warsaw an Internal Notification and Follow-up Actions Procedures applies, describing rules for reporting violations of law by whistleblowers. See https://www.circlek.pl/o-nas/procedury-zgloszen for full details.