Director of Architecture - Automation and AI

Who are we?Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, operating over 260 data centers across the globe. Digital leaders harness Equinix's trusted platform to bring together and interconnect foundational infrastructure at software speed. Equinix enables organizations to access all the right places, partners and possibilities to scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value, while supporting their sustainability goals.  Our culture is based on collaboration and the growth and development of our teams.  We hire hardworking people who thrive on solving challenging problems and give them opportunities to hone new skills and try new approaches, as we grow our product portfolio with new software and network architecture solutions. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success.Job SummaryWe are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Architecture -  Automation and AI to lead the design and architecture of cutting-edge automation and AI solutions within our Infrastructure Managed Solutions organization. This role will be pivotal in driving operational excellence, and innovation, through robust scalable and secure architecture ensuring our services meet and exceed customer expectations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering transformative automation and AI solutions, a deep understanding of managed services operations, and the ability to drive results through cross-functional collaboration globally.ResponsibilitiesStrategic LeadershipDefine and execute the automation and AI architecture strategy, aligned with organizational goals and customer requirementsEstablish a long-term architecture roadmap to enhance operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost optimization using AI-driven automationIdentify opportunities to integrate emerging technologies such as generative AI, machine learning, and RPA into service delivery modelsArchitecture and Solution DesignLead the design of scalable and resilient automation and AI frameworks for IT infrastructure services, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environmentsDevelop reference architectures, guidelines, and best practices for automation and AI initiativesEnsure that solutions align with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and security best practicesOperational ExcellenceDrive automation adoption across the organization, streamlining service delivery processes, improving incident management, and enhancing provisioning and fulfillment capabilitiesMonitor the effectiveness of automation and AI systems, leveraging data analytics to refine and improveCollaborate with operations teams to reduce manual interventions and improve SLA adherenceCollaboration and Stakeholder ManagementPartner with cross-functional teams, including service delivery, product management, and engineering, to integrate automation and AI into existing and new offeringsAct as a thought leader, advising the automation team and stakeholders on leveraging AI and automation for competitive advantageWork closely with customers to understand their challenges and demonstrate the value of automation in solving complex infrastructure issuesTeam DevelopmentBuild and mentor a high-performing team of automation architects, data scientists, and AI specialistsFoster a culture of continuous learning and innovation, encouraging exploration of new technologies and methodologiesExecution and DeliveryOversee the end-to-end delivery of automation and AI projects, ensuring on-time, within-budget completion with measurable business outcomesDevelop KPIs and metrics to track the success of automation initiativesProvide governance and oversight to ensure solution quality and adherence to architecture principlesQualificationsMinimum 12–15 years of hands-on experience in IT infrastructure management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing automation and AI architectureProven track record of implementing large-scale automation and AI solutions in managed services or enterprise IT environmentsDemonstrable experience in deploying tools and platforms such as Ansible, Terraform, ServiceNow, AI/ML frameworks, or RPA technologiesTechnical ExpertiseDeep understanding of IT infrastructure components, including compute, storage, network, cloud platforms, and DevOpsProficiency in automation technologies, AI frameworks, machine learning pipelines, and orchestration platformsStrong knowledge of APIs, integrations, and microservices architectures to enable automationFamiliarity with industry standards such as ITIL, TOGAF, or equivalent frameworksLanguage SkillsMust be very fluent in English, with excellent verbal and written communication skillsProficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is an advantage and highly desirable for interacting with global teams and customersLeadership SkillsExceptional ability to influence and drive change across diverse teams and stakeholdersDemonstrated success in building and scaling teams and nurturing top talentStrong project management skills with an ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneouslySoft SkillsStrategic thinker with excellent problem-solving abilitiesOutstanding communication and presentation skills, able to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiencesAbility to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and adapt to changing prioritiesEducationBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferredCertifications in relevant technologies (e.g., AI/ML, automation platforms, cloud certifications) are a plusWhat We OfferA collaborative and innovative work environment where you can make a significant impactCompetitive compensation and benefits packageOpportunities for professional growth and continuous learningThe chance to shape the future of infrastructure managed services through automation and AIEquinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form. Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.