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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Solutions Architect - **Company:** Pyramid Systems, Inc. - **Location:** Fairfax County, VA, United States - **Salary:** $130,158.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Computing Platforms, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Cloud Engineering, Data Architecture, Data Integrity, Data Mapping, Data Structures, Distributed Systems, Zero Trust Network Access, Data Streaming, Systems Integration, Enterprise Software Applications, Multi-Cloud, Event Driven Architecture, AI Platforms, Information Technology, Api Design, Devsecops, Microservices - **Published:** July 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17451925?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17451925%2FPrincipal-Solutions-Architect-Virginia-Fairfax ## About the Role * Develop and communicate reasonable level-of-effort estimates, timelines, and solution assumptions * Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives * Experience in federal, regulated, or large-scale enterprise environments strongly preferred * Preferred certifications in Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert and Microsoft Azure Developer Associate * One or more of the following certifications is preferred: CISSP, CCSP, CISM, TOGA, * US Citizenship Required * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (Master's preferred) * 12-15 years of progressive experience in solutions architecture, cloud engineering and platform design and enterprise application development and modernization * 5+ years of experience in cloud architecture, application modernization, cloud development, and migrations * 5+ years of experience in full stack application development * 3+ years designing and implementing solutions in Microsoft Azure environments ## Description The Principal Solutions Architect is a highly experienced technical leader and recognized authority responsible for defining and driving enterprise-wide architecture strategies across cloud, application modernization, and secure distributed systems. This role operates at a senior leadership level, influencing technology direction, advising executive stakeholders, and ensuring alignment between enterprise architecture, business objectives, and federal or regulated requirements. The Principal Solutions Architect leads highly complex initiatives involving cloud transformation, Azure-based solutions, systems integration, and secure application development, while mentoring technical teams and establishing architectural standards across the organization. Responsibilities Define and lead enterprise architecture strategy across cloud, applications, and infrastructure * Develop multi-year technology roadmaps aligned with organizational and client objectives * Establish architecture standards, reference models, and governance frameworks * Advise executive leadership on emerging technologies, risks, and investment priorities * Architect and oversee complex Microsoft Azure solutions, including hybrid and multi-cloud environments * Lead enterprise cloud adoption, migration, and modernization strategies * Design solutions leveraging Azure services including AKS, App Services, Functions, networking, security, and Data/AI services * Ensure optimization for performance, scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency * Lead large-scale application modernization initiatives * Establish best practices for microservices, API-first, and event-driven architectures * Guide development teams in full-stack and cloud-native development * Ensure security-by-design principles * Oversee alignment with federal frameworks (e.g., NIST, Zero Trust) * Partner with cybersecurity teams * Lead cross-functional teams * Drive DevSecOps and automation * Serve as trusted advisor * Redesign data structures to support modern, scalable, and efficient data architectures * Plan and execute comprehensive data mapping activities across systems, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and alignment with enterprise standards * Develop end-to-end solution designs that align business requirements with system capabilities, ensuring seamless integration and data flow * Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance architectural design, productivity, and decision-making * Demonstrate hands-on experience implementing AI-driven solutions that improve business processes, efficiency, and insights * Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, including technical teams, senior leadership, executives, and external customers * Serve as the primary technical interface to customers, ensuring clear, consistent, and professional communication of solutions and outcomes * Translate complex technical concepts, architectures, and trade-offs into concise, business-friendly language * Present solution options with clear pros/cons, risks, and trade-offs to support informed decision-making ## Related Videos - [DevSecOps: Injecting Security into Mobile CI/CD Pipelines](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/273-devsecops-injecting-security-into-mobile-ci-cd-pipelines) - [API Design - Getting Started](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/33-api-design-getting-started) - [The Open-source Java SDK for Multi-Cloud Development - Sandeep Pal](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2113-the-open-source-java-sdk-for-multi-cloud-development-sandeep-pal) - [Reference Architecture of AI in the Cloud](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1613-reference-architecture-of-ai-in-the-cloud) - [Azure-Well Architected Framework - designing mission critical workloads in practice](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1529-azure-well-architected-framework-designing-mission-critical-workloads-in-practice) - [DevSecOps: Security in DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/36-devsecops-security-in-devops) ## Related Articles - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Everything a Developer Needs to Know About MCP with Neo4j](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/604-everything-a-developer-needs-to-know-about-mcp-with-neo4j) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)