CTO / Principal Solution Architect

We're looking for a CTO / Principal Solution Architect to join our team in Lisbon, Portugal in a hybrid working mode. This highly senior role operates at the intersection of technology strategy, business outcomes and AI-native engineering. As a trusted advisor to C-level clients, you will lead large-scale technology and AI transformation programs, design reference architectures and target operating models, and personally contribute to AI-native solution delivery and proof-of-concept development. You will combine strategic thought leadership with hands-on execution to shape the technology vision and deliver innovative solutions for complex enterprise challenges.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic advisor to client CTOs, CIOs and other C-level stakeholders on technology strategies and operating models
• Lead large-scale, multi-country digital and AI transformation engagements - from strategy through roadmap and delivery
• Design enterprise-level AI reference architectures, governance frameworks and AI Center of Excellence operating models
• Maintain fluency in AI-native engineering, including GenAI and agentic development frameworks; build and demo AI POCs for pursuits
• Oversee pre-sales for strategic programs; shape proposals and position EPAM offerings with senior executives
• Produce architectural artifacts such as blueprints, transition roadmaps and governance structures
• Present thought leadership at major conferences, client forums and internal leadership events
• Author technical points of view and whitepapers for internal and external publications
• Mentor senior architects, solution leaders and engineering leads to grow organizational capability

Requirements

• Extensive experience across software engineering, architecture and technology consulting, including C-level advisory roles
• Proven track record in leading large-scale, international technology transformation initiatives from discovery to execution
• Deep technical expertise across cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, event-driven architectures, and security-by-design
• Strong understanding of AI-native development paradigms including GenAI / LLMs, RAG, MLOps, governance and AI-augmented SDLC
• Demonstrated ability to lead AI POCs hands-on, beyond conceptual design
• Familiarity with industry reference frameworks (TOGAF, ArchiMate, Zachman, BIAN)
• Exceptional executive communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Recognized thought leader with an established presence in architecture or technology communities
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar technology programs and driving business development at the enterprise level