Principal Solution Architect

Constellation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Constellation is seeking a Principal Solution Architect to drive technical vision for IT and align platforms with business goals. You will define architectures, collaborate with engineering and project teams, and ensure governance across the landscape.

The role requires 8–10 years in IT architecture, strong cloud capabilities (GCP/AWS/Azure), and proven leadership. Hybrid work model and a comprehensive benefits package support career growth and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 8–10 years' IT Architecture experience.
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills.
• 4–6 years SDLC experience with custom or commercial software.
• Experience with one or more architecture frameworks.
• Strong deployment architecture design and implementation.
• Experience with change management.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple demands.
• Able to design software architecture in GCP, Azure and AWS.

Responsibilities

• Translate business needs into IT solutions and develop strategy roadmaps.
• Review cost and design optimized solutions.
• Lead and collaborate with project teams on architecture design and delivery.
• Communicate solution concepts to stakeholders at all levels.
• Ensure governance and maintain architecture deliverables.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

SDLC experience

Architecture frameworks

Deployment architecture

Change management

Independent work

Cloud platforms (GCP/Azure/AWS)

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Computer Science or related field)

Tools

Google Cloud

Azure

AWS

Job description

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Houston, Texas; Warrenville, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; De Pere, Wisconsin

Information Technology

Hybrid

142495

E04- E04 Exempt Ladder

WHO WE ARE

As the largest private-sector power producer in the world and the nation's largest producer of clean and reliable energy, Constellation is focused on our purpose: lighting the way to a brilliant tomorrow for all. We have been the leader in clean energy production for more than a decade, and we are cultivating a workplace where our employees can grow, thrive, and contribute. Now integrated with Calpine, our portfolio includes 55 gigawatts of capacity from nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities, with the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 27 million homes.

Our culture and employee experience make it clear: We are powered by passion and purpose. Together, we're creating healthier communities and a cleaner planet, and our people are the driving force behind our success. At Constellation, you can build a fulfilling career with opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact. By doing our best work and meeting new challenges, we can accomplish great things. Join us in meeting the country's energy needs today and tomorrow.

TOTAL REWARDS

Constellation offers an extensive selection of benefits and rewards to help our employees thrive professionally and personally. We provide competitive compensation and a wide-range of benefits that support both employees and their families, helping them prepare for the future. In addition to highly competitive salaries, eligible employees are offered a bonus program, 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase program; comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including robust wellbeing programs; disability and life insurance benefits; paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick days; and much more.

Expected salary range of $160,200 to $178,000, varies based on experience, along with comprehensive benefits package that includes bonus and 401(k).

• comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including robust wellbeing programs
• disability and life insurance benefits
• paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick days
• and much more

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION

A Principal Solution Architect at Constellation Energy drives technical vision for a business unit IT department or functional area and aligns technical solutions and platforms to the company strategy. Principal Solution Architects must have a broad base of technical and business understanding as well as the attention to detail to transform a strategy into an actionable plan. The successful Architect will demonstrate knowledge to navigate recent technology trends and connect it with the business goals to act as an influencer and change agent, as well as a technical advisor for executive leaders.

A successful Principal Solution Architect will own the IT enablement of the business strategy, accelerate project delivery and improve delivery quality via three primary activities:

Define Solution Architecture: The Solution Architect will recommend a solution architecture to (1) best meet the goals of the project, (2) align with Constellation's overall strategic technology roadmap, (3) comply with Constellation's technology standards and best practices. The architecture will be documented in Constellation's architecture repository and in other formats (e.g., PowerPoint) to optimize stakeholder communication and understanding, and (4) enable value-added outcomes that align to the business strategy.

Ownership of the Intersection of Design and Success Criteria: The Solution Architect will collaboratively work with IT and business project teams to understand goals and desired outcomes and use this as a key input to architectural design processes and deliverables.

The Solution Architect (SA) will remain engaged and support the project design, development, and deployment phases to ensure continuous alignment and Architecture design compliance. SA works closely with enterprise architects, developers, and project managers to identify and assess any risks/mitigations and/or update the architecture deliverables accordingly. SA requires thorough understanding and hands on experience of SDLC methodologies and agile/waterfall project execution models. SA needs to gather and evaluate user and management feedback to iteratively improve the business application landscape.

The Solution Architect may take a hands‑on role working with development teams to ensure the design and implementation of new or upgraded systems. This includes but is not limited to participation on application, data and integration architecture decisions. In addition to project engagement, the SA plays an integral role in the operational effectiveness of the solution and future roadmap discussions with internal and external teams.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Translate business needs into IT solutions & develop portfolio specific strategy and roadmaps. Leverage rigorous design methodologies that consistently yield the right level of technical design documentation and develop technical solutions, which may include custom development and/or extending commercial products, that conform both to customer requirements and solution development standards. Make sure that the solution landscape conforms to Enterprise Architecture framework.
• Review cost and design optimized solutions.
• Ability to act as a key member of the project team and provide leadership to guide application design and development. Assist in problem resolution and support the development team through consultation and problem research.
• Work as equals with engineering/development staff for optimal design/delivery.
• Communicating solution concepts to all levels of management. Establish strong relationships with all stakeholders.
• Own and evangelize governance mechanisms and ensure that architecture deliverables meet/exceed governance standards.
• Proven facilitation, influencing, oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Provide coaching/ mentorship for IT personnel. Participate in career development and recognition activities. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster teamwork, collaboration, and a learning organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree (Computer Science or related field) and 8-10 years' experience in IT Architecture
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills
• 4-6 years of deep software development lifecycle (SDLC) experience with custom developed software and/or commercially available products
• Experience with one or more architecture frameworks
• Strong Deployment Architecture design and implementation experience
• Experience with all elements of change management
• Proven capacity to work independently and manage multiple, competing demands
• Able to take high level requirements and develop software architecture in Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS
• Ability to travel domestically

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree
• Professional IT Architecture education or certification is preferred, but not required
• Experience with Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS