Principal Solutions Architect (Merrifield)

Principal Solutions Architect

Overview

The Principal Solutions Architect is a highly experienced technical leader and recognized authority responsible for defining and driving enterprise-wide architecture strategies across cloud, application modernization, and secure distributed systems. This role operates at a senior leadership level, influencing technology direction, advising executive stakeholders, and ensuring alignment between enterprise architecture, business objectives, and federal or regulated requirements. The Principal Solutions Architect leads highly complex initiatives involving cloud transformation, Azure-based solutions, systems integration, and secure application development, while mentoring technical teams and establishing architectural standards across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead enterprise architecture strategy across cloud, applications, and infrastructure
• Develop multi-year technology roadmaps aligned with organizational and client objectives
• Establish architecture standards, reference models, and governance frameworks
• Advise executive leadership on emerging technologies, risks, and investment priorities
• Architect and oversee complex Microsoft Azure solutions, including hybrid and multi-cloud environments
• Lead enterprise cloud adoption, migration, and modernization strategies
• Design solutions leveraging Azure services including AKS, App Services, Functions, networking, security, and Data/AI services
• Ensure optimization for performance, scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency
• Lead large-scale application modernization initiatives
• Establish best practices for microservices, API-first, and event-driven architectures
• Guide development teams in full-stack and cloud-native development
• Ensure security-by-design principles
• Oversee alignment with federal frameworks (e.g., NIST, Zero Trust)
• Partner with cybersecurity teams
• Lead cross-functional teams
• Drive DevSecOps and automation
• Serve as trusted advisor
• Redesign data structures to support modern, scalable, and efficient data architectures
• Plan and execute comprehensive data mapping activities across systems, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and alignment with enterprise standards
• Develop end-to-end solution designs that align business requirements with system capabilities, ensuring seamless integration and data flow
• Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance architectural design, productivity, and decision-making
• Demonstrate hands‑on experience implementing AI‑driven solutions that improve business processes, efficiency, and insights
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, including technical teams, senior leadership, executives, and external customers
• Serve as the primary technical interface to customers, ensuring clear, consistent, and professional communication of solutions and outcomes
• Translate complex technical concepts, architectures, and trade‑offs into concise, business-friendly language
• Present solution options with clear pros/cons, risks, and trade-offs to support informed decision‑making
• Develop and communicate reasonable level‑of‑effort estimates, timelines, and solution assumptions

Qualifications

• US Citizenship Required
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (Master's preferred)
• 12-15 years of progressive experience in solutions architecture, cloud engineering and platform design and enterprise application development and modernization
• 5+ years of experience in cloud architecture, application modernization, cloud development, and migrations
• 5+ years of experience in full stack application development
• 3+ years designing and implementing solutions in Microsoft Azure environments
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise‑scale transformation initiatives
• Experience in federal, regulated, or large‑scale enterprise environments strongly preferred
• Preferred certifications in Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert and Microsoft Azure Developer Associate
• One or more of the following certifications is preferred: CISSP, CCSP, CISM, TOGA

Pay Range

USD $130,158.00 to USD $180,000.00 per year. This range is not guaranteed and final compensation will be based on factors such as location, experience, certifications, and other considerations. The position offers competitive compensation, benefits including an Employee Stock Ownership Program, FlexPTO, and learning and development opportunities.

EEO Statement

Pyramid Systems, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.