AI Architect.

Designs AI landscapes that fit together — rather than a collection of pilots.

Remote & on-site DACH-wide
AI Architect — enquire

An AI architect designs the big picture: which AI capabilities your organisation builds itself, which it buys in, how data flows, where models run, and how platform AI (SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce) and in-house developments work together. They translate strategy into robust technical structures.

The role becomes important as soon as several AI initiatives run in parallel: without architecture, isolated solutions emerge, with redundant costs, inconsistent data flows and vendor lock-ins that nobody deliberately chose. The architect makes these decisions explicit — before they make themselves.

01

AI reference architecture

Target picture for your AI landscape: platform services, in-house services, data flows, identity and authorisation concept — as guardrails for all initiatives.

02

Make-or-buy decisions

In-house build on LLM APIs, platform feature or specialist provider? Structured evaluation with total costs, risks and exit scenarios.

03

Designing the agent landscape

When several agents operate within enterprise systems: a shared identity, audit and orchestration layer instead of ten individual solutions.

04

Consolidating the pilot landscape

Turning twelve organically grown AI experiments into three robust systems — with a migration plan and an honest decommissioning list.

Core competencies
Solution architectureLLM/RAG/agent patternsData architectureIAM conceptsCost modelling
Tools & frameworks
Cloud architectures (Azure/AWS/GCP)Platform AI (SAP BTP, M365, Salesforce)API gatewaysVector databasesObservability stacks
Plus factors
Enterprise architecture frameworksRegulated industriesOn-premise/hybrid scenarios
How do you prevent every department from building its own AI stack?
Governance meets pragmatism: guardrails plus attractive central services — prohibitions alone create shadow IT.
By what criteria do you decide between platform AI and in-house build?
Total costs, differentiation value, data sovereignty, exit costs — the answer should reveal a framework, not a gut feeling.
What does your reference architecture for agents with system access look like?
Identities, permissions, audit, orchestration — anyone who gets concrete here has built it.
Which architecture decision did you later regret?
Capacity for reflection and honesty — architects without wrong decisions have never owned anything.
What does an AI architect cost as a freelancer?
Based on our market observation, hourly rates in the DACH region in 2026 range between 130 and 180 euros, depending on depth of responsibility and industry experience.
When is an AI architect worthwhile?
As soon as more than two AI initiatives run in parallel or AI functions from several platforms (such as SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce) are meant to work together. An early architecture engagement of just a few days often saves six-figure consolidation costs later.
What is the difference between an AI architect and an AI strategy consultant?
The strategist answers the where and why (use cases, roadmap, governance), the architect the how (systems, data flows, platform decisions). In larger initiatives, both work hand in hand.
Does the AI architect also work hands-on?
Depending on the profile — many of our architects prototype critical paths themselves to validate their designs. We deliberately do not place pure slide-deck architecture without proximity to code.

Looking for a AI Architect?

Tell us about your project — within one business day you’ll get an honest assessment of availability, day rate and alternatives.

Request experts