Job Description

AI Co-Innovation Lab Kobe is a co-innovation environment where Microsoft brings together AI, cloud, data, developer technologies, and real-world systems to help customers envision, validate, and move next-generation AI solutions toward implementation. As Chief Architect for AI Co-Innovation Lab Kobe, you will serve as the technical leader for the lab, designing practical and innovative solution architectures centered on agent platforms, data foundations, AI-driven development, and Physical AI.

You will use the Kobe Lab co-innovation environment to deeply understand cross-industry customer challenges and integrate Microsoft AI platforms, Azure data services, developer tools, and edge, robotics, and sensor capabilities. You will translate early-stage ideas into architectures, prototypes, validation scenarios, and adoption roadmaps that improve both the feasibility and business value of AI transformation.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Kobe Lab technical vision and architecture leadership As Chief Architect for AI Co-Innovation Lab Kobe, design end-to-end architectures centered on agent platforms, data foundations, AI-driven development, and Physical AI, leading technology decisions that account for security, scalability, operability, and governance.Agent platform design and implementation guidance: Use Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and external system integrations to design agents, multi-agent patterns, evaluation, monitoring, and operating models that support business processes.

• Data foundation and AI enablement Combine Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Services, real-time data, knowledge retrieval, RAG, and data governance to build trusted foundations that allow AI systems to deliver business value.

• AI-driven development practices Apply GitHub Copilot, DevOps, MLOps, LLMOps, automated evaluation, and test automation to improve engineering productivity and solution quality for customers and internal teams.

• Physical AI innovation Explore and validate use cases that connect AI with the physical world through robotics, IoT, sensors, edge AI, digital twins, and operational data across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, mobility, and smart spaces.

• Co-innovation, prototyping, and delivery in Kobe Lab Work with customers, partners, product teams, and field teams through design thinking, architecture design sessions, and rapid prototyping to validate business value and technical feasibility quickly, then translate outcomes into adoption roadmaps.Thought leadership and talent development: Represent Microsoft AI innovation through technical communities, customer workshops, speaking engagements, content creation, and mentoring, while helping engineers and architects grow their capabilities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years of experience in technical consulting, solution architecture, technical pre-sales, or engineering leadership, OR equivalent experience.
• Experience translating customer challenges into technical architectures and execution plans in an AI Co-Innovation Lab, innovation center, R&D, customer co-innovation, or advanced technology validation environment.
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise cloud, AI, data, or application architectures.
• Ability to communicate clearly in Japanese with technical and business audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing or implementing solutions with Azure AI Services, Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, or GitHub Copilot.
• Knowledge of agent architectures, RAG, knowledge graphs, vector search, evaluation frameworks, guardrails, and security design.
• Practical experience with data platforms, data governance, real-time analytics, MLOps/LLMOps, DevOps, and automated evaluation or testing.
• Experience with Physical AI use cases involving robotics, IoT, edge computing, digital twins, simulation, manufacturing, logistics, or frontline operations.
• Experience representing an organization externally through customer workshops, executive briefings, technical events, community activities, or content creation.
• Relevant certifications or demonstrated expertise such as AZ-305, AI-102, DP-600, PL-600, GitHub, Security, Data, or AI certifications.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.