Principal Solution Architect

Overview

The Principal Solution Architect spearheads technology and architectural leadership across the organization, translating executive business goals into comprehensive technology roadmaps and architecture frameworks. This role establishes engineering foundations ensuring secure, scalable, and high-performing software delivery in both cloud and on-premises setups.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop multi-year technology and architecture plans aligned with business priorities.
• Set organization-wide architecture principles and reference models for cloud, private cloud, and on-premises environments.
• Ensure solutions exhibit scalability, modularity, performance, security, resilience, and maintainability.
• Implement decision-making frameworks to guide technology choices based on strategic goals rather than short-term needs.
• Oversee architecture approvals and act as senior authority on complex projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to convert complex requirements into innovative, scalable solutions.
• Define and enforce software engineering standards, architecture governance, and development best practices including Agile and DevSecOps methodologies.
• Create reusable software frameworks, components, and engineering accelerators like CI/CD templates and developer platforms to streamline delivery.
• Guide architecture design for complex systems involving microservices, integrations, APIs, and platform services while optimizing performance and security.
• Lead development of internal engineering capabilities by identifying skill gaps, mentoring architects and engineers, and reducing external dependencies.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies, manage technology R&D initiatives, and integrate successful innovations into organizational capabilities.
• Foster alignment among business, product, engineering, and leadership teams on technology architecture and strategy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related fields; extensive relevant experience may substitute formal education.
• Over 12 years of progressive experience in solution architecture, software engineering, and technology leadership roles.
• Proven success delivering complex, large-scale, or mission-critical software solutions.
• Expertise in defining architecture principles, engineering standards, governance, and making informed decisions on scalability, security, resilience, and maintainability.
• Deep knowledge of cloud-native architectures, microservices, APIs, distributed systems, and Agile/DevSecOps practices.
• Experience with public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructures.
• Established reusable engineering frameworks, shared services, and developer accelerators.
• Skilled in evaluating new technologies and leading experimental research or proof-of-concept projects.
• Experienced in building internal engineering skills and mentoring technical leaders.
• Strong grasp of security architecture and risk management considerations.
• Effective stakeholder management, with the ability to communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.