Principal Architect, CSA

Principal Architect, CSA

Date: Jun 13, 2026

Location: Chicago, IL, US • TX, US • New York, NY, US • MA, US

Company: Softchoice

Why you’ll love Softchoice:

We are a software-focused IT solutions and services provider that equips organizations to be agile and innovative, and for their people to be engaged, connected, and creative at work. That means moving them to the cloud, helping them build the workplace of tomorrow, and enabling them to make smarter decisions about their technology. By doing these things we help them create success for their customers and their people.

We stand proudly for our people and support their success through career development and advancement. We are recognized and respected for our culture of inclusion and belonging, continuously striving to do what’s good for our people and communities.

The impact you will have:

The Principal Architect serves as the senior architectural authority within Customer Solution Architecture HPT Client Team, shaping enterprise-scale transformation across AI, data, hybrid infrastructure, and security domains. This role unifies strategic advisory, platform design, and architectural governance to guide clients from vision through execution while ensuring long-term scalability, performance, and risk mitigation.

What you’ll do:

As a Principal Architect, you will hold a pivotal role in defining and governing enterprise-scale architectural direction across complex, multi-domain environments, ensuring alignment with client strategy, industry standards, and Softchoice platform best practices. Business travel will be required approximately 30% of the time.

• Lead Client Engagements & Advisory: Engage CIO, CTO, CISO, and executive stakeholders on multi-year platform strategy, investment prioritization, and architectural trade-offs across cost, resiliency, compliance, and innovation

• High‑Performance Architecture Design: Design and govern enterprise AI Factory architectures, integrating GPU compute, data platforms, orchestration, governance, security, and operating models to enable scalable, responsible AI adoption

• Business Development, Relationship Management, and Technical Sales & Demonstrations: Develop and nurture relationships with key client stakeholders. Demonstrate proficiency in originating deals with C-level individuals. Lead pursuit teams, contribute to proposal development, and shape pricing strategies. Deliver demos showcasing AI and infrastructure value. Create and present technical architecture(s) and proposals.

• Solution Delivery Guidance & Integration: Identify architectural risk early and provide executive-level guidance on trade-offs between innovation, performance, regulatory compliance, and cost optimization

• Practice & Team Development: Contribute to practice development and serve as architectural authority across CSA, mentoring senior architects, defining reusable patterns and reference architectures, and influencing capability investment and solution packaging.

• Continuous Learning & Industry Expertise: Maintain deep understanding of emerging AI, Data, and Hybrid IT platforms. Cultivate a growth mindset, continually seeking new and improved technologies and methods with which to drive impact

What you’ll bring to the table:

As a Principal Architect within the Customer Solution Architecture organization, you will possess a understanding of client industries (such as Retail, Oil & Gas, FSI, Manufacturing) and businesses, coupled with the ability to accelerate their digital transformation journeys through innovative solutions. This role demands strong financial and business acumen, coupled with extensive knowledge in technology and change management, and a principled approach to addressing digital transformation challenges and opportunities.

• Analytical, Interpersonal, and Creative Skills : You excel at analyzing complex situations, fostering interpersonal relationships, and leveraging creative solutions at the intersection of business and technology.

• Ambitious and Enterprising: With a strong presence in the C-Suite, you demonstrate ambition and entrepreneurship, thriving in environments that demand leadership and strategic thinking.

• Active Learner and Pattern Recognizer : You continuously seek out patterns in business, technology, and organizational cultures, providing valuable insights to clients. With a growth mindset, you enjoy exploring both familiar and unfamiliar technologies to craft innovative solutions.

• Educational and Certification Background : An undergraduate degree is required, with preference given to business or technology majors. An MA, MBA, or MSc is beneficial. Certifications in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related IT or management consulting disciplines are considered valuable.

• Practical Experience : With 10 years of experience in business advisory and/or consulting within IT, you bring a wealth of practical knowledge to the table. Demonstrated advisory experience in Data & Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence is essential.

• Solution Landscape Navigation : You possess a deep understanding of the solution landscape in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Generative AI, enabling you to guide clients effectively.

• Presentation and Facilitation Skills : Your experience in presenting and facilitating client-facing engagements is evident, reflecting your ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and confidence.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: You have demonstrated the ability to handle flexibility in mission and clarify ambiguous client intents, ensuring alignment and successful outcomes.

• Trusted Advisor Status: Your history of gaining and maintaining trusted advisor status with management, along with strong working relationships with C-suite executives, is highly beneficial to this role.

• Supplemental Technology Capabilities: You possess knowledge and experience in supplemental technology capabilities, including Data Security, data governance, common data protection and privacy frameworks, as well as Application Development and DevOps experience participating in or leading Architecture Review Boards, establishing standards, and governing enterprise technology patterns.

• Deep expertise in AI technologies, cloud, and high‑performance compute.

• Strategic advisory and business acumen.

• Leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Compensation

Compensation

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position in

• Texas is $183,680 to $229,600 annually + 20% as target incentives.

• Chicago is $183,680 to $229,600 annually + 20% as target incentives.

• NYC is $189,420 to $252,560 annually + 20% as target incentives.

• Boston is $192,860 to $241,080 annually + 20% as target incentives.

Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, education, and related certification. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.

Softchoice offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit plan to all full-time employees, which includes:

• Health and Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision Care, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program

• Financial Benefits: 401k Plan with Company Matching, Life and Disability Insurance

• Paid Time Off: PTO and Sick Leave (starting at 20 days per year), Holidays, Parental Leave, Volunteer Days, Bereavement Leave

• Additional Perks: Employee Discount Program

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway:

We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role.

At Softchoice, we offer opportunities to a diverse group including those with a variety of workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to corporate tech, returning to work after a gap in employment, or looking to transition and take the next step in your career, we are excited to learn more about you and encourage you to apply.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• The People: You’ll thrive in our collaborative environment, surrounded by incredible colleagues who foster support and innovation, driving our collective success

• High-Performing Culture: At Softchoice, we are dedicated to achieving our goals and committed to success for our customers and each other

• Flexibility: Plan your workdays in a way that suits you best

• Award-Winning Workplace: Proudly recognized as a Great Place to Work for 20 consecutive years

• Inclusive Culture: We are committed to an inclusive culture where every team member can be their authentic self

• Competitive Benefits: Benefit from competitive perks that start on day one

Inclusion & Equal opportunity employment:

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion & belonging . People seeking employment at Softchoice are considered without regard to any protected category including but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Require accommodation? We are ready to help:

We are proud to provide interview & employment accommodation during the recruitment and hiring process. If you require any accommodation to apply or interview for a position, please reach out directly to View email address on click.appcast.io (file:///C:/Users/dnik/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/CFB2RD0J/View email address on click.appcast.io) . We are committed to working with you to best meet your needs.

Our commitment to your experience:

We are committed to the safety of all applicants and team members. With that in mind, we have implemented digital interviewing for everyone. We understand that you may need to interview with distractions around you (such as children or furry friends) and we will be doing the same.

Before you start with us, we will conduct a criminal record check, verify your education, and check your references.

When you join Softchoice, we will onboard you remotely. Don't worry. It's quick, simple and you'll be connected with your new team in no time.

Job Requisition ID: 7307

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Nearest Major Market: Chicago