Principal Solutions Architect

ICF; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 191,339 - 325,277; Full time

Job summary

ICF, a global advisory and technology services provider, seeks a Principal Solutions Architect for our federal portfolio in the Washington, DC area, hybrid with Reston, VA headquarters. The role focuses on owning end-to-end architectures, guiding secure, compliant, and cost-effective solutions across cloud modernization, data, and AI/ML initiatives.

The ideal candidate will lead technical solutioning for captures and proposals, mentor architects, and build trusted relationships with federal

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).
• Proven experience leading technical solutioning on competitive federal proposals and capture efforts.
• Working knowledge of FedRAMP, NIST 800-53, ATO processes, and Zero Trust.
• Strong understanding of microservices, APIs, event-driven design, containers, DevSecOps, and infrastructure as code.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for executive audiences.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• 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 with win themes, technical approaches, architecture diagrams, and staffing models.
• Serve as senior technical advisor to federal clients, building trusted relationships with agency executives and technical stakeholders.
• Establish architecture standards, reference patterns, and governance across the Federal portfolio.
• Guide delivery teams through design decisions, risk mitigation, and trade-off analysis for security and compliance.
• Architect cloud/hybrid solutions on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, with FedRAMP/ATO/NIST considerations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and define pragmatic adoption strategies for federal clients.
• Mentor solution architects and engineers, growing ICF's technical community of practice.
• Collaborate with delivery leadership, capture managers, and growth teams to align technical strategy with portfolio goals.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Proposal solutioning

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/IS

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

FedRAMP

NIST 800-53

Zero Trust

DevSecOps

Kubernetes

Job description

Description

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 opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

$191,339.00 - $325,277.00

Reston, VA (VA30)