About This Opportunity
We are seeking a Solutions Architect who is a technical problem-solver that gets genuinely excited about AI’s potential to transform how we work! The ideal candidate has shipped AI solutions to production – not just experimented with ChatGPT, but integrated LLM APIs, dealt with rate limits, managed prompt versioning, and measured real business outcomes! The Solutions Architect will serve as the technical bridge between business innovation and deployed solutions, bringing AI expertise to every engagement while delivering across the full spectrum of technology needs.
This position transforms stakeholder ideas into working prototypes and production systems across AI-powered applications, cloud-native platforms, and integrated business solutions by combining deep technical fluency across cloud architecture, artificial intelligence, and modern development approaches with the ability to guide implementation across code, low-code, and no-code platforms. This role is critical to Cascade’s technology transformation initiative, building internal capability to deliver solutions that create measurable business value while driving the organization’s technology evolution forward!
Future-Focused AI-Ready Culture
At Cascade Energy, we’re actively shaping how AI gets deployed in the real world, in our tools, our client engagements, and our daily work. Our approach has always been relationship-driven and expertise-led, and IA is how we multiply the impact of both.
Successful Cascadians are curious and resilient. They embrace change, seek smarter ways to create impact, and take ownership of their own growth. We embed AI into our work in ways that are responsible and human-centered, and we actively develop our people to deploy it creatively and confidently.
We believe the future belongs to organizations that pair emerging technology with genuine human expertise. That future is being built here. . . .come be a part of it!
What You Will Be Doing
- Architect and deliver AI-integrated solutions by translating business needs into AI-enabled solution architectures and cloud designs. Build and validate proof-of-concepts, and lead workshops and technical design sessions to align stakeholders for new initiatives.
- Guide technical implementation and ensure quality by reviewing code, AI-generated apps, and prototypes for security, quality, and architectural fit. Direct appropriate low-code/Power Platform usage and optimize cloud infrastructure across AWS, Azure, and GCP while monitoring and troubleshooting production solutions.
- Evaluate and advance AI capabilities by researching emerging AI approaches and assessing tools, models, and platforms against business needs and the current stack. Partner with IT security to ensure new solutions meet compliance and governance requirements.
- Build organizational knowledge and capability by documenting architectures, decisions, patterns, and runbooks to support consistent delivery and operations.
- Capture learnings through retrospectives, train team members on new approaches, and maintain cloud architecture standards and best practices.
- Provide technical leadership and stakeholder communication by presenting roadmaps, sharing progress updates, and surfacing risks and blockers. Assess technical debt and recommend remediation to balance near-term delivery with long-term IT strategy.
This is a full-time, exempt position located in Portland, Oregon. Minimal travel is anticipated for this role. A portfolio or examples of solutions you have architected across different platforms is required to be uploaded with your application.
Qualifications
Applicants for this role are required to have:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent work experience in technology roles.
- 3+ years of experience in technical roles involving solution architecture, software development, platform engineering, or similar positions with increasing responsibility for technical delivery.
- Demonstrated experience deploying AI/ML solutions in production environments; experience with LLM APIs, prompt engineering, or AI platform integration.
- Hands-on experience with Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot or other LLM APIs; understanding of prompt engineering, RAG architectures, and AI safety considerations; ability to evaluate when AI is and isn't appropriate for specific use cases
- Practical knowledge of AWS, Azure, or GCP services including compute, storage, networking, and identity management; ability to configure, optimize, and design scalable architectures.
- Experience with platforms like Microsoft Power Platform, n8n, Zapier/Make, Cursor, or similar tools for rapid prototyping and solution delivery; understanding when low-code approaches are appropriate versus custom development; ability to evaluate tradeoffs between approaches.
- Ability to read and evaluate Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar languages for quality and security issues; understanding of development patterns and ability to review AI-generated code and vibe-coded prototypes.
- Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies and project management practices; experience leading technical aspects of cross-functional projects.
- Relevant certifications preferred: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Architect, or platform-specific certifications (Salesforce, Microsoft Power Platform, etc.).
A successful candidate should also demonstrate these preferred characteristics and/or skills:
- Adaptability; Collaboration; Decision-Making; Drive for Results; Initiative and Ownership; Innovation; Integrity; and Continuous Learning Mindset
A portfolio or examples of solutions you have architected across different platforms is required to be uploaded with your application.
Cascade is dedicated to building an inclusive and authentic workplace and places strong importance on learning and development. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Compensation & Benefits
The full salary range for this full-time, exempt position in Portland, OR is $115,500(min) - $144,375 (mid) - $173,250 (max). At Cascade, transparency and fairness are core to how we work. We post the full salary range for every role because we value clarity and equity. Our offers are thoughtfully determined based on factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and internal equity, to ensure fairness. We aim to ensure consistency and integrity in every decision.
Our total rewards include competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and financial security. We provide health, dental, and vision coverage, along with flexible spending and health savings account options that include employer contributions. Additional benefits include life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, paid parental leave, and a 401(k)-retirement plan with a guaranteed 3% employer contribution. Cascade is proud to offer an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), annual cash performance bonuses, paid vacation and sick time, and an inclusive, flexible holiday policy. To further support wellbeing, we provide a $500 contribution that can be applied to an HSA, FSA, or Lifestyle Spending Account.
