Solutions Architect Senior Principal

CareerArc; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 200,001 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to join the Solutions & Technology group. The role is preferred to be based in Chantilly, VA, with hybrid options in Reston or Arlington, VA.

You will translate complex government requirements into compelling winning technical solutions for multiple government opportunities. The candidate must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with poly, US citizenship, and a strong background in systems engineering, architecture, and proposal development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 18+ years of experience, or 14+ with a Master's.
• 8+ years in systems engineering or solutions architecture.
• Active US Citizenship and TS/SCI with poly.
• Experience supporting US Government customers and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical solution development for captures and proposals.
• Author technical volumes, white papers, and solution narratives.
• Decompose complex requirements across domains and drive innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with capture managers and SMEs to shape winning strategies.
• Develop architectures, roadmaps, and implementation plans.

Skills

Systems engineering

Solutions architecture

Proposal development

Technical leadership

US Citizenship

Defense industry

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or CS

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Description

SAIC's Solutions & Technology group is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to join the Solutions & Technology group. The position is preferred to be based out of Chantilly, VA but open to a hybrid role in Reston, VA or Arlington, VA.Reporting directly to the Intel Space CTO, this individual will serve as a technical cornerstone of SAIC's capture and proposal efforts, translating complex government requirements into compelling, winning technical solutions. This role demands a self-starter who thrives in ambiguous environments and can architect innovative solutions from the ground up across a diverse portfolio of government opportunities. Candidates must have an active TS/SCI Clearance with the ability to get a Polygraph.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead technical solution development for new captures and proposals in response to government RFPs, RFIs, and Sources Sought notices in support of IC and DoW programs
• Author and develop technical volumes, white papers, and solution narratives from concept to completion with minimal direction
• Analyze and decompose complex government requirements across a wide variety of mission areas and technical domains
• Collaborate with capture managers, business development leads, and subject matter experts to shape technically differentiated winning strategies
• Drive technical innovation by identifying and integrating emerging technologies, architectures, and methodologies into proposed solutions
• Develop solution architectures including system designs, technical approaches, and implementation roadmaps tailored to customer needs
• Willingness to develop capability prototypes and architect solutions
• Engage with government customers and stakeholders during pre-RFP shaping activities to influence requirements and positioning
• Support cost and pricing teams by providing technical basis of estimates and work breakdown structures
• Maintain awareness of the competitive landscape, industry trends, and government priorities within the Intel domain

Qualifications

Experience & Background:

• Bachelors Degree and 18 years of experience. Masters and 14 years of experience.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, solutions architecture, or a related technical discipline
• Candidates must be U.S. Citizens
• Candidates must have an active TS/SCI Clearance with the ability to get a Poly.
• Demonstrated experience working within the defense industry supporting U.S. Government customers
• Proven track record of supporting or leading technical proposals in response to government RFPs
• Experience working in or supporting capture and business development activities
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field

Technical Skills:

• Familiarity with government acquisition processes and proposal development lifecycles
• Ability to develop end-to-end technical solutions across complex, multi-disciplinary problem sets in Space Systems, IT Systems, GEOINT or SIGINT domains
• Comfort operating across a broad range of technical domains

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with an ability to translate technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences
• High tolerance for ambiguity and ability to structure solutions with incomplete information
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent proposals under tight deadlines

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with space systems, satellite architectures, ground systems, or space domain awareness
• Background in IT services, cloud solutions, or managed services for government customers
• Familiarity with IC systems, community customers and mission sets
• Prior experience in a Solutions Architect or Chief Engineer role on large government programs
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• Comfortable to use LLMs, write code and create prototype tools

Target salary range: $200,001 - $240,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.