Principal Solutions Architect

Aqua IT; Saint Louis (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua IT seeks a Principal Solutions Architect to lead geospatial, AI/ML, and Supply Chain Risk initiatives for major clients. You will shape enterprise architectures, drive modernization roadmaps, and establish DevSecOps governance across programs.

You will influence strategy with senior clients, manage large-scale technology programs, and mentor teams in cloud, GIS, and API standards. This role requires a TS/SCI-eligible background and extensive leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with CI poly eligibility.
• 14+ years in system engineering or software leadership.
• Extensive DevSecOps, Agile/SAFe leadership, and enterprise CI/CD experience.
• Proven geospatial system design and integration expertise.
• Experience managing large technology programs with budget/staffing.
• Strong client engagement and stakeholder negotiation.
• Experience with GIS data formats and geospatial tools.
• Experience with government/commercial imagery products (SAR/RADAR).

Responsibilities

• Define enterprise-level architecture strategies and modernization roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership on geospatial platform development and integration.
• Establish program-wide DevSecOps standards, practices, and governance.
• Interface with senior client leadership, negotiate requirements, and drive technical consensus.
• Provide input for staffing, budget, and resource allocation.
• Ensure alignment of technology execution with client mission objectives.
• Serve as a thought leader in backend, cloud, and geospatial communities.
• Lead the architectural design of advanced Supply Chain Risk Models, integrating disparate data streams.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

DevSecOps leadership

Geospatial system design

Enterprise CI/CD

Staffing & budgeting

Client engagement

GIS data formats

OGC/open standards

Tools

GitLab

PostGIS

ArcGIS

Boundless Spatial

Job description

Overview:

Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), the Principal Solutions Architect provides technical and strategic leadership across major geospatial, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Supply Chain Risk Illuminations. This position involves providing technical solutions to enhance existing and emerging client capabilities, including design and development, modernization of existing applications and services, and operations and sustainment. The role focuses on driving the client’s adaptation of higher levels of automation and operational efficiency through agile development methodologies, rapid prototyping, and modern technology stacks.

The Principal Solution Architect provides technical and management leadership for major geospatial technology initiatives. Serves as a domain expert, directs client-facing activities, and has overall responsibility for strategy, execution, and outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Define enterprise-level architecture strategies and modernization roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership on geospatial platform development and integration.
• Establish program-wide DevSecOps standards, practices, and governance.
• Interface with senior client leadership, negotiate requirements, and drive technical consensus.
• Provide input for staffing, budget, and resource allocation.
• Ensure alignment of technology execution with client mission objectives.
• Serve as a thought leader in backend, cloud, and geospatial communities.
• Lead the architectural design of advanced Supply Chain Risk Models, integrating disparate commercial, public, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) data streams.

Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI (CI Poly eligible)
• 14+ years of system engineering or software development and leadership experience.
• Extensive background in DevSecOps frameworks, Agile/SAFe leadership, and enterprise CI/CD.
• Proven track record in geospatial system design, integration, and innovation.
• Experience managing large-scale technology programs, including budget and staffing.
• Strong client engagement and negotiation skills with senior stakeholders.
• Using GitLab for code source repository and using GitLab CI/CD
• Recognized expert in system architecture and design
• Experience working independently with clients or stakeholders to develop requirements for full-service consumer and business applications
• Experience with economic datasets and risk management
• Experience with government and/or commercial imagery products, including SAR or related RADAR imaging technologies
• Developing geospatial information systems (GIS) and working with open-source and proprietary geospatial formats
• Using and developing common geospatial tools, data, and operating platforms such as:
  • Tools: Boundless Spatial suite, Remote View, PostGRES/PostGIS, Oracle Spatial, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, Image Server, File Geodatabases
  • Data Formats: KML, KMZ, NITF, TIFF, JPEG, GeoPDF, and similar geo-related formats and data structures
• Abstracting new or legacy systems via standards-based APIs, including Open Geospatial Consortium standards
• Developing terrain analysis visualization and algorithms
• Developing automated detection algorithms