---
title: 'Principal Architect - Applied AI & Machine Learning SME at 3Cloud'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-architect-applied-ai-machine-learning-sme-3cloud-united-states-mbyc7rbwvcqp'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Principal Architect - Applied AI & Machine Learning SME at 3Cloud

- **Company:** 3Cloud
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $176k–$264k
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-08-14
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/3cloud/jobs/8715165002?gh_jid=8715165002

## Job description

Are you looking for a role that motivates and challenges you? Are you ready for an opportunity for growth? Do you want to work on teams where people roll up their sleeves to take on tough problems together, and regularly blow the doors off our clients with their outstanding teamwork? If you answered yes to those questions, 3Cloud might just be for you!

At 3Cloud, we hire people who aren’t afraid to experiment or fail. We hire people who are willing to give direct and candid feedback to their managers, leaders, and team members. We hire people who jump at those opportunities because they care about our collective growth and success. We hire people who challenge and hold each other accountable for living 3Cloud’s core values because they know that it will result in amazing experiences and solutions for our clients and each other.

Responsibilities:

- Lead as a technical evangelist and trusted advisor for clients, shaping early-stage Data & AI conversations into compelling solution visions built on the Microsoft platform.
- Partner closely with sales and account teams to drive opportunity qualification, solution strategy, and deal closure for Data & AI engagements.
- Lead technical discoveries with clients to understand business priorities, decision criteria, and value drivers, translating them into winning Data & AI architectures.
- Lead design and present Data & AI solutions that clearly articulate business outcomes, technical feasibility, and ROI.
- Provide executive-level technical depth in Azure with depth in data engineering, data architect, machine learning, or AI to influence client stakeholders from practitioner to C-level.
- Lead technical credibility throughout the sales cycle, including whiteboarding sessions, architecture reviews, proposals, and executive presentations.
- Guide and mentor architects and data scientists to ensure solution consistency, technical excellence, and alignment with go-to-market strategy.
- Identify and lead opportunities to expand pipeline through innovation workshops, POVs, and targeted thought leadership aligned to Microsoft Data & AI offerings.
- Ensure proposed solutions align with Microsoft best practices, security standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Stay current on Microsoft Data & AI roadmaps and industry trends to continuously sharpen competitive positioning and client impact.

Requirements:

- 10+ years of experience in Data, Analytics, or AI roles, with significant exposure to enterprise client environments.
- Proven experience leading pre-sales or client-facing technical engagements, including discovery, solution design, and executive presentations.
- Deep hands-on expertise with Microsoft Data & AI in at least one of Azure Data Services, Azure AI, Synapse/Fabric, Databricks on Azure).
- Strong ability to translate complex technical capabilities into clear business value narratives that resonate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated $500k+ deal success partnering with sales and account teams to influence pipeline progression and close deals.
- Executive presence with experience leading the C-suite engagement and partnering with senior leaders as a trusted technical advisor.
- Strong architectural mindset with the ability to design end-to-end Data & AI solutions aligned to client objectives, security, and governance needs.
- Excellent communication skills, including whiteboarding, storytelling, and formal presentations.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Don’t meet every single requirement? At 3Cloud we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. At this time, we cannot sponsor applicants for work visas.

3Cloud Total Rewards Highlights Include:

- Flexible work location with a virtual first approach to work!
- 401(K) with match up to 50% of your 6% contributions of eligible pay
- Generous PTO providing a minimum of 15 days in addition to 9 paid company holidays and 2 floating personal days
- Two medical plan options to allow you the choice to elect what works best for you!
- Option for vision and dental coverage
- 100% employer paid coverage for life and disability insurance
- Paid leave for birth parents and non-birth parents
- Option for Healthcare FSA, HSA, and Dependent Care FSA
- $67.00 monthly tech and home office allowance
- Utilization and/or discretionary bonus eligibility based on role
- Employee Assistance Program to help with everyday challenges

3Cloud offers competitive compensation. In addition to base pay employees are eligible to receive an annual discretionary/utilization bonus. If you are hired at 3Cloud your final base salary is based on factors such as skills, education, experience and/or geographic location. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above includes the full base salary range for the role. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range.

Base Salary Range $176,200—$264,300 USD

Don’t meet every single requirement? At 3Cloud we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

At this time, we cannot sponsor applicants for work visas.

## About 3Cloud

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 3Cloud is a 100% Azure-dedicated technology consulting firm that helps enterprises and mid-market organizations architect, build, and optimize their cloud environments on Microsoft Azure.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Cognizant in November 2025; deal expected to close Q1 2026)
- **Headquarters**: Downers Grove, Illinois (Chicago area), USA
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Mike Rocco and Jim Dietrich

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Cloud Consulting & IT Services (Microsoft Azure ecosystem)
- **Target customers**: Enterprise and mid-market organizations across banking & financial services, healthcare, technology, and consumer sectors
- **Mission**: To be the leading Microsoft Azure partner; loved by employees, trusted by clients, and valued by Microsoft and business partners. The company believes a brighter future is created through human brilliance and transformative technology.

## Products & Services
- **Cloud Strategy & Advisory**: Helping clients define their Azure roadmap, including digital modernization, cost optimization, and business transformation.
- **Data & AI Solutions**: Modern data platforms, advanced analytics, AI enablement, and machine learning solutions built on Azure. Recognized as Microsoft’s 2024 Partner of the Year for Data & AI.
- **Application Innovation**: Cloud-native app development, application modernization, and migration to Azure.
- **Cloud Platform & Infrastructure**: Architecture, design, and implementation of Azure cloud environments, including hybrid and multi-cloud strategies.
- **Managed Services**: Ongoing Azure environment management, monitoring, optimization, and support (Azure Expert Managed Services Provider).
- **Quality Engineering**: Testing and quality assurance services for cloud applications.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (acquired by Cognizant in November 2025; financial terms not disclosed)
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding — 3Cloud was a portfolio company of **Gryphon Investors** (private equity). Prior to acquisition, the company reported 20% organic compound annual growth since 2020, with 20%+ growth expected in 2025.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Gryphon Investors (PE backer); Microsoft (strategic partner); Databricks (Elite partner)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Acquired by Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) in November 2025 for an undisclosed sum; deal expected to close Q1 2026.
  - Named **2025 Microsoft U.S. Channel Partner of the Year**.
  - Named **2024 Microsoft Americas Partner of the Year for Data & AI**.
  - 1,000+ Azure experts and engineers; 1,500+ Microsoft certifications.
  - 20% organic compound annual growth since 2020.
  - Serves 1 in 10 Fortune 500 companies.

## Competitive Advantages
- **100% Azure Dedicated**: Unlike generalist consultancies, 3Cloud is singularly focused on the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, giving them unmatched depth of expertise.
- **Founder Pedigree**: Founded by former Microsoft executives who managed $1B+ revenue portfolios and have deep relationships within Microsoft’s sales and engineering leadership.
- **Award-Winning Track Record**: Multiple Microsoft Partner of the Year awards (Data & AI, Health & Life Sciences, Migration to Azure, Modernizing Applications, 2025 U.S. Channel Partner of the Year).
- **Scale & Certification**: 1,000+ Azure experts, 1,500+ Microsoft certifications, and 1,600+ Azure engagements.
- **Elite Partner Status**: Also an Elite Databricks partner, adding depth in data and AI.

## Strategic Focus
- **Enterprise AI Readiness**: Helping clients build, deploy, and scale AI solutions on Azure, with a strong emphasis on data platforms and AI-driven operations.
- **Growth Through Acquisition**: The pending acquisition by Cognizant (expected Q1 2026) will combine 3Cloud’s Azure expertise with Cognizant’s global scale, creating one of the largest Microsoft partners with 21,000+ Azure-certified specialists.
- **Continued Azure Specialization**: Remaining 100% focused on the Azure ecosystem, deepening capabilities in data, AI, and app innovation.
- **Expansion of Managed Services**: Growing the managed services practice to support ongoing client operations and optimization.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: 3Cloud emphasizes a "human led, tech driven" philosophy, with core values of Growth, Client Success, and Winning Together. The company is described as passionate, innovative, and committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: 3Cloud embraces a **remote-first** approach, hiring based on skill set rather than geographical location. Employees have the flexibility to work from home, with physical offices in Downers Grove, IL (HQ) and Dallas, TX. Typical time on-site is "None."
- **Notable Perks** (per Built In):
  - Comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision, FSA)
  - Generous parental leave and family medical leave
  - Performance bonuses
  - Employee discounts
  - Free snacks and drinks
  - Mobile phone discount
  - Travel concierge services
  - Job training, conferences, and customized development tracks
  - Promotion policies and career growth support
- **Engineering Culture**: Focus on leading-edge Azure technology, with opportunities to work on complex, high-impact projects for Fortune 500 clients. The company emphasizes innovation, continuous learning, and a collaborative "winning together" mindset.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: 3Cloud is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse environment.

## Sources
1. [3Cloud Solutions - About Us](https://3cloudsolutions.com/about-us/)
2. [3Cloud Solutions - Careers](https://3cloudsolutions.com/join-us/)
3. [Built In - 3Cloud Careers, Perks + Culture](https://builtin.com/company/3cloud)
4. [Cognizant Press Release - Acquisition of 3Cloud (Finanzwire)](https://www.finanzwire.com/press-release/cognizant-technology-solutions-etr-cognizant-to-acquire-3cloud-creating-a-leading-force-in-microsoft-azure-services-and-enterprise-ai-transformation-X3tgRPOLQTb)

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