Principal Solutions Architect (Washington)

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider that partners with government and commercial clients to solve their most complex challenges. Our federal division helps agencies modernize legacy systems, harness data and AI, and deliver mission outcomes for the public they serve. We combine deep domain expertise with engineering rigor and human-centered design to build solutions that are secure, scalable, and built to last.

We are seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to serve as a senior technical authority across our federal portfolio. In this role, you will own the technical vision for complex, high-value solutions - translating agency mission needs into architectures that are secure, compliant, cost-effective, and deliverable. You will operate at the intersection of delivery, business development, and client engagement: shaping winning technical approaches during capture and proposal efforts, guiding solution design across active programs, and mentoring architects and engineers as a recognized technical leader.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can move fluently between an agency CIO's office and an engineering whiteboard, and who understands what it takes to design and stand-up systems within the federal environment.

This role will be based in the Washington, DC area as a hybrid position aligned to ICF's Reston, VA headquarters.

What You Will Do

• Define and own end-to-end solution architectures for federal programs spanning cloud modernization, data and analytics, application development, and AI/ML.
• Lead technical solutioning for capture and proposal efforts - developing win themes, technical approaches, architecture diagrams, basis-of-estimate inputs, and staffing models that differentiate ICF in competitive procurements.
• Serve as the senior technical advisor to federal clients, building trusted relationships with agency CIOs, CTOs, program managers, and technical stakeholders.
• Establish architecture standards, reference patterns, and governance practices that drive consistency and reuse across the Federal portfolio.
• Guide delivery teams through complex design decisions, technical risk mitigation, and trade-off analysis, ensuring solutions meet performance, security, and compliance requirements.
• Architect cloud and hybrid solutions on platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, with attention to FedRAMP, the Authority to Operate (ATO) process, and NIST security frameworks.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, data platforms, automation) and define pragmatic adoption strategies for federal clients.
• Mentor and develop solution architects and senior engineers, contributing to the growth of ICF's technical community of practice.
• Partner with delivery leadership, capture managers, and growth teams to align technical strategy with portfolio and pipeline objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in solution architecture, software/systems engineering, or technology consulting, including 5+ years architecting enterprise-scale solutions.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering technology solutions for U.S. Federal government agencies.
• Deep expertise in cloud architecture (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including migration, modernization, and cloud-native design.
• Proven experience leading technical solutioning on competitive federal proposals and capture efforts.
• Working knowledge of federal compliance and security requirements, including FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, ATO processes, and Zero Trust principles.
• Strong understanding of modern architecture patterns: microservices, APIs, event-driven design, containerization, DevSecOps, and infrastructure as code.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to executive and non-technical audiences.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government security clearance (Public Trust, Secret, or higher).
• Cloud architecture certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert).
• Experience with data platforms, analytics, and AI/ML solution design in a federal context.
• Familiarity with specific federal mission areas relevant to ICF's portfolio.
• Experience contributing to or leading technical volumes in federal proposal responses.
• Advanced degree in a relevant technical discipline.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunit