Senior Solutions Architect – Government Systems

The Senior Solutions Architect will design and oversee the technical architecture of new platforms, ensuring a secure, scalable, and integrated system that meets the needs of multiple agencies (state and federal). This role provides strategic technical leadership, leveraging deep expertise in enterprise architecture and government technology standards to deliver a sustainable, future-proof solutionThe architect will guide the platform’s design from discovery through implementation, aligning it with both business objectives and modern IT best practices in the public sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop the overall architecture blueprint and technology roadmap for system modernization, covering application, data, integration, and infrastructure architectures.
• Analyze the existing systems and data flows; design integration strategies to connect new platforms with legacy systems and external databases (state and federal) for seamless data sharing.
• Select and recommend appropriate technology stacks (platforms, frameworks, databases) that fit project requirements, emphasizing a modular, “best-fit” approach for each component.
• Ensure the solution’s design adheres to security and compliance requirements (e.g., NIST, FedRAMP, State security policies), with robust identity management, data encryption, and role-based access controls from the outset.
• Architect cloud-ready and scalable solutions (or hybrid on-prem/cloud as appropriate) to handle high volumes of permit data and documents, with strategies for high availability and disaster recovery.
• Define API and integration standards for connecting the platform with other systems (e.g. GIS services, document management, payment processing), ensuring interoperability and data consistency.
• Provide technical oversight during implementation: review system designs and code, guide engineering teams in aligning development with the established architecture, and address any technical challenges or deviations.
• Incorporate modern technologies such as AI-driven tools or workflow automation into the architecture where they add value (e.g., AI document review, RPA for routine tasks), ensuring they are implemented in a secure and effective manner.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, business analysts, and UX designers to ensure the technical solutions align with user requirements and provide excellent user experience.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and public sector IT trends, and proactively recommend innovations that could improve system performance, maintainability, or user satisfaction.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in software development and architecture, with at least 5 years in a solutions architect or lead architect role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale systems, preferably within government or other regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare).
• Deep understanding of enterprise architecture principles and patterns (modular design, microservices, SOA, etc.), as well as hands-on knowledge of integration techniques (RESTful APIs, message queues, ETL).
• Expertise in designing secure systems; knowledgeable about government security standards and compliance frameworks (such as NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, FISMA) and how to apply them in system architecture.
• Proficiency with cloud platforms and architectures (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), including designing cloud-native applications and using cloud services for databases, storage, and monitoring.
• Experience with identity and access management, authentication protocols, and data encryption methods suitable for protecting sensitive government data.
• Strong understanding of database design (both SQL and NoSQL) and data architecture, including data governance and sharing across agencies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of translating complex business requirements into functional technical designs.
• Effective communication and leadership skills to articulate architectural decisions to both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience specifically with government permitting, licensing, or regulatory systems architecture.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, FEAF) and modeling tools.
• Prior involvement in IT modernization projects that included the use of emerging technologies (AI/ML, robotic process automation, GIS integrations) in a government context.
• Knowledge of Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards to ensure architectural decisions support building accessible user interfaces.
• Certification such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Architect, or Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect.
• Experience implementing DevSecOps or CI/CD pipelines in an enterprise environment, and knowledge of containerization/orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Understanding of state procurement and IT approval processes (to assist in technology acquisition and compliance documentation).
• Public sector consulting experience or direct work in a government IT department is a plus, bringing insight into governmental processes and constraints.