Proposal Solution Architect (Remote - DC Metro Are

ICF; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation policy

Comprehensive health benefits

Flexible work location

Ongoing training opportunities

Friendly community with social events

Charity initiatives

Employee support program

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Proposal Solution Architect in the VA/DC/MD metro area to lead the development and writing of compliant, executable technical solutions for DoW and Federal pursuits.

You will author major sections of proposals and guide SMEs to produce cohesive, evaluator‑focused content, ensuring security, affordability, and deliverability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical field.
• 10+ years leading and architecting enterprise software systems.
• 5+ years in solution/enterprise architecture within the DoW.
• Experience supporting Federal or DoD capture and proposal efforts as architect/lead/writer.
• Demonstrated experience writing substantial technical proposal content.
• Experience leading a DoW IL‑4+ ATO process for a $10M+ project.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical solutioning for DoW and Federal captures from shaping through proposal submission.
• Serve as technical author or technical‑volume lead for proposals, writing major sections of the technical approach and architecture.
• Develop proposal storyboards, outlines, plans, and guidance linking evaluation criteria to the solution.
• Create win themes, discriminators, proof points, and customer benefits with stakeholders.
• Lead structured solution workshops with architects, engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and pricing staff.
• Produce proposal‑ready architecture diagrams, data flows, deployment models, and CONOPS.
• Integrate solution assumptions, staffing concepts, schedules, risks, and estimates with pricing and delivery teams.
• Participate in color reviews (Pink/Red/Gold teams) and revise content for clarity and compliance.
• Support customer meetings, white papers, sources sought responses, and oral proposals.
• Apply knowledge of Federal security controls, NIST guidance, risk management, and ATO processes.

Skills

Proposal writing

Technical writing

Solution architecture

Federal DoD/DoW experience

Leadership

Cloud & application architecture

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Information Systems/Engineering or related

Job description

Description

ICF is seeking a Proposal Solution Architect to lead the development and writing of compelling, compliant, and executable technical solutions for strategic Department of War (DoW) and other Federal pursuits. This role will draw on hands‑on architecture experience to validate that proposed solutions are secure, realistic, affordable, and deliverable. The ideal candidate combines the credibility of an experienced cloud and application architect with the discipline of a strong proposal solution architect and technical writer. You will work across capture, growth, delivery, pricing, security, engineering, and proposal teams to turn customer missions and solicitation requirements into differentiated technical approaches. You will personally author major sections of Federal proposals and guide subject matter experts in producing cohesive, evaluator‑focused content. This position requires excellent writing, facilitation, communication, and technical judgment. Success will be measured primarily by the quality and competitiveness of capture and proposal solutions, not by owning day‑to‑day delivery architecture for an active program.

Job Location: This position requires that the job be performed in the VA/DC/MD Metro area. You may be asked to occassionally travel to an office or client site. Please note that ICF monitors employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses and prohibits personal VPN connections.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead technical solutioning for strategic DoW and Federal captures from early qualification and opportunity shaping through proposal submission and oral presentations.
• Serve as the primary technical author or technical‑volume lead for proposals, writing substantial portions of the technical approach, solution architecture, implementation approach, transition plan, migration strategy, DevSecOps approach, cybersecurity approach, cloud approach, operations concept, and related management content.
• Develop proposal storyboards, annotated outlines, section plans, content assignments, and writing guidance that connect evaluation criteria to the proposed solution and win strategy.
• Create and refine win themes, technical discriminators, proof points, value propositions, and customer benefits in collaboration with Capture Managers and business leaders.
• Lead structured solution workshops with architects, engineers, cybersecurity specialists, program leaders, partners, pricing staff, and subject matter experts.
• Produce proposal‑ready architecture diagrams, data flows, deployment models, CONOPS, technical roadmaps, workflows, and solution graphics in partnership with graphic designers.
• Integrate solution assumptions, staffing concepts, schedules, risks, dependencies, and basis‑of‑estimate inputs with pricing and delivery teams.
• Participate in and lead Pink Team, Red Team, Gold Team, and other color reviews; adjudicate comments and directly revise technical content to improve clarity, compliance, and persuasiveness.
• Support customer meetings, capability briefings, white papers, responses to sources sought, oral proposal presentations, and technical demonstrations.
• Apply practical knowledge of Federal security controls, NIST guidance, risk management, and Authority to Operate processes when developing proposal solutions.

What You Must Have

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or other related scientific or technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in leading and architecting enterprise software systems.
• 5+ years of experience of solution or enterprise architect work within the DoW
• Demonstrated experience supporting Federal or DoD capture and proposal efforts as a solution architect, technical‑volume lead, lead technical writer, capture architect, or equivalent role.
• Demonstrated experience personally writing substantial technical proposal content—not only reviewing, advising, or providing SME input—including technical approach and solution architecture sections.
• Experience directly leading a DoW IL‑4+ ATO process for a $10M+ project.
• US Citizenship required due to federal contract requirements

What We’d Like You To Have

• AWS Solutions Architect certification
• Experience with Oracle Cloud in DoW environments

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Generous vacation and retirement plans
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Flexible work location
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Friendly community with lots of social events
• Participation in charity initiatives
• Employee support program

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

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is:

$130,687.00 - $222,169.00

Reston, VA (VA30)