Tech Lead, AI (Helsinki/Oulu)

We are looking for a Tech Lead to join the Development & Technologies organisation and work in the AI tribe within the AI & Data division, where we build the forward-looking technical foundation for OP Pohjola’s AI First strategy. As a Tech Lead, you will be responsible for guiding and steering the tribe’s technology solutions and architecture in line with OP Pohjola’s architectural goals and principles, working closely with stakeholders.

What will you do?

Your core responsibility is to own the AI Tribe’s tactical architecture and architecture governance, including Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) and participating in AI Architecture Review Board. You will guide solution design across AI platforms and strategic use-case domains, support Solution Architects and provide trusted technical advisory to development teams and decision-making forums.

You will work closely with AI Tribe leadership, Product Owners, Software Developers, Data Scientists, AI Engineers and architects across OP Pohjola. You will connect business priorities, use cases and technology choices, while ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, security and regulatory requirements. In addition, your new line organisation within the Development & Technologies Technology division provides the framework for architecture governance across the group together with your fellow Tech Leads, the group’s Enterprise Architects, and architecture leadership. When needed, you will also lead discussions on technology solutions within your tribe’s area together with representatives from various stakeholder groups to establish shared plans and development priorities.

There are multiple strategic AI use case domains built on different platforms and serving different purposes. Success in this role requires understanding and considering the architectures of all these domains in close collaboration with their respective technical stakeholders.

AI is evolving rapidly, while established technologies, processes and operating models do not always keep pace. In this role, you will influence how OP Pohjola responds evaluating emerging capabilities, making informed trade-offs and translating change into practical architectural direction.

The position is based in Helsinki or Oulu. At OP Pohjola, we combine remote and office work in a hybrid model.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for strong prior experience in practical, hands-on functional architecture as well as broader technical architecture. You have the willingness to lead OP Pohjola’s architecture and technology solutions related to AI adoption in line with our target architecture, and to contribute to the renewal of our technology and architectural landscape.

You take active ownership and work proactively you anticipate needs and risks, create clarity in ambiguous situations, bring the right people together and drive ideas through to implementation across organisational boundaries. You know how to connect business requirements, use cases, and AI technologies in the most effective way in an enterprise environment. You are responsible for the technical design of AI solutions together with the teams in the AI tribe. You follow the development of agentic AI technologies closely.

Experience in regulated industries, particularly financial services, is an advantage. Strong written and spoken English is required; Finnish is considered an advantage.

We expect you to have

Practical experience in a similar guiding architecture role, as well as in modern software development and its leadershipExperience in architectural work, including modelling and documentation (e.g., Archimate, ADR)Strong communication and interpersonal skills – you collaborate well with different kinds of people, resolve obstacles, and find constructive solutions togetherAbility to visualize and simplify complex concepts into clear and understandable presentationsExperience in designing and implementing AI/ML solutionsAbility to lead the architectural design within the AI tribe and consolidate project specific technical implementation recommendationsAbility to understand and manage complex entitiesAbility to challenge and support stakeholders in making better technology choices, while also understanding technical details

Experience In The Following Areas Is Beneficial

Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio, GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Fabric or DatabricksAI/ML lifecycle management, including MLOps and LLMOpsAgentic AI frameworks and design patterns, such as Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent2Agent (A2A), Microsoft Agent Framework and Foundry Hosted AgentsInference solutions (such as Databricks Model Serving)Data platform architectureFinancial-sector regulation, security and risk management

Why OP Pohjola?

This is an opportunity to influence enterprise-scale AI architecture in a highly regulated environment where technology choices have real impact on customers and employees. You will work with skilled colleagues, modern platforms, and use cases that range from shared AI capabilities to business-critical solutions.

OP Pohjola offers a stable, people-first workplace with a strong focus on work-life balance, continuous learning and professional growth. Our 70-20-10 development model and OP Tech Academy support learning as part of your everyday work.

As an OP Pohjola employee, you will receive

Structured opportunities for career developmentTime and support to strengthen your expertise with highly skilled colleaguesComprehensive occupational healthcareSport and culture benefitsBenefits and discounts on OP Pohjola products

Interested?

Submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than Sunday, 18 October 2026.

If you have questions about the position, please contact Tribe Lead Karoliina Kettukari (tel. +358 50 573 4242) or Product Owner Viljami Venekoski (tel. +358 40 672 9555). Karoliina is available for calls on Tuesday, 13 October, from 900 to 1000, and Viljami on Friday, 16 October, from 1400 to 1500.

We operate in the financial sector and our business is founded on trust and accountability. For this reason, we will check the successful candidate's credit history, corporate connections and potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the successful candidate must take a drug test and will be subject to a security clearance vetting by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service.

OP Pohjola

Diversity and equality are highly prized at OP Pohjola. We want everyone to feel welcome and valued, and we appreciate that diversity enriches us and brings new perspectives. We invite job applications from everyone, because we all have something in common. We’re thrilled that you want to join us on our shared journey.

Owned by our customers, we are the most attractive financial sector employer in Finland. OP Pohjola employs more than 14,000 professionals. We have a mission – to promote the sustainable prosperity, security and wellbeing of our owner-customers and operating region. What we do matters, both to our employees and society in general. As the largest provider of financial services in Finland, we are building a better tomorrow; this has been our goal for more than 120 years.