Principal Solutions Architect

Thank you for considering IT ConceptsdbaKentro where innovation drives opportunity and collaborationleadsto success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers missions fostering professional growth and making a positive impact on our communities.

By joining our supportive community you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together we can drive meaningful change spark innovation and achieve extraordinary milestones.

Kentro is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to serve as the Technical Authority for our Federal Health and Benefits portfolio with a primary focus on the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is a high-impact strategic role for a leader capable of defining the To-Be architecture for one of the federal governments largest and most complex IT ecosystems.

Unlike a traditional architect the Principal Architect does not just design solutions; they govern the technical vision. You will bridge the gap between legacy mainframe environments and modern cloud-native architectures translating complex legislative and mission requirements into secure scalable and compliant technology roadmaps. You will serve as the primary technical liaison to GS-15 and SES-level stakeholders balancing modernization goals with the strict risk cost and compliance constraints of the federal government.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Architecture & Modernization Authority:

• ModernizationStrategy:Define cohesive end-to-end architecture blueprints that transition legacy workloads (e.g. Mainframe/COBOL) to modern future-ready cloud environments (AWS/Azure/Hybrid) without disrupting mission-critical benefit delivery.

• Data Architecture:Lead the development of a transparent and accessible data ecosystem that improves data discovery and usability enables actionable insights and strengthens public trust in SSA data.

• Analysis of Alternatives (AoA):Lead high-level trade-off analyses to select theoptimalmix of COTS SaaS and custom software ensuring decisions align with the clients specific constraintsregardingdata privacy and transaction volume.

• Technical Governance:Establishand enforce enterprise architecture guardrailsand Authorityto Operate (ATO)ensuringall designscomply withNIST 800-53 Zero Trust Section 508 (Accessibility) and client specific security mandates.

• Risk Management:Evaluate solution viability through rigorous feasibility studies and technical risk assessments specifically addressing the challenges of data migration and interoperability in a federal environment.

Technical Leadership & Engineering Culture:

• Lead the Leaders:Coach and empower Senior Solution Architects and engineering leads. You are not just a mentor; you are the standard-bearer for engineering discipline and architectural quality across the organization.

• Cross-Functional Command:Direct cross-functional engineering teams through the full lifecyclefrom capture and design to deliveryensuring solutions meet the extreme performance and reliability standardsrequiredfor national entitlement programs.

• Innovation vs. Stability:Drive enterprise innovation by piloting emerging technologies ( for fraud detection Intelligent Automation for claims processing) while converting these capabilities into scalablecompliantstandards.

Customer Engagement & Executive Advisory:

• Trusted Advisor:Act as the strategic technical partner to SSA leadership and program offices translating complex tech-speak into clear value propositions aligned with the agencys goal of improving customer experience and operational efficiency.

• Stakeholder Alignment:Present high-stakes architecture decisions roadmaps and ROI analyses to non-technical executive audiences to drive informed decision-making and secure buy-in for modernization initiatives.

Business Development & Capture Support:

• Solution Champion:Partner with Sales and Capture teams to leadthe technicalvolume development for major SSA proposals. You will shape the Win Strategy bydemonstratingdeep understanding of the customersbusiness needs andpain points (e.g. backlog reduction system interoperability).

• Market Differentiation:Identifygrowth opportunities bydemonstratinghow architectural innovation ( Automated Governance) delivers measurable business value to the government

Location: Hybrid in Woodlawn MD

Salary Range: $200000-$220000 annually. Factors influencing pay within this range include geography market demand skills education experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

• Education:Masters degree preferred (Bachelorsrequired) in Computer Science Systems Engineering or related field.

• Experience:12 years of progressive IT experience with at least7 years in senior orprincipaltechnical leadership roles(e.g. Chief ArchitectPrincipalSystems Engineer).

• Federal Domain Expertise:Mandatoryexperience supporting theSocial Security Administration (SSA) CMS or similar large-scale federal transaction processing environments.

• Legacy Transformation:Proventrack recordof designingmainframe modernizationstrategies (e.g. re-platforming API enablement orStranglerPatternMigration).

Technical Expertise:

• Hybrid Cloud Architecture:Deep mastery of designinghighly availablesolutions across AWS (GovCloud) or Microsoft Azure with specific experience in hybrid connectivity toon-premisedata centers.

• Integration Patterns:Expert knowledge of modern integration standards (REST/SOAP APIs Microservices Event-Driven Architecture) and their application in untangling monolithic legacy systems.

• DevSecOps:Expertisein technologies andsolutionto enable streamlinedautomated CI/CDpipelineswithintegratedcATOIaC Automated Test and Document generation.(Experience with Agentic workflows aplus)Security& Compliance:Subject Matter Expert (SME) level understanding of NISTRMF FedRAMP FICAM and Section 508 accessibility standards.

Leadership & Strategic Thinking:

• Communication:Elite presentation skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to C-suiteexecutives and government leadership.

• Strategic Vision:Ability to look 3-5 years into the future converting vague business requirements into actionable long-term technology ademonstrated understanding of CIO and EA organization as well asthe TTAP and EA Governance Models.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications:AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or CISSP.

• Frameworks:Implementation experience with TOGAF orSAFe(Scaled Agile Framework) in a federal context and theprocessesSSAutilizes to execute the developmentlifecyclewithin the organization.

• SSA Specifics:Prior possession of an SSA Suitability clearance or experience working with SSAsSystemsDevelopment Lifecycle (SDLC).

• Automation:ExperienceintegratingServiceNow or similar ITSM/ITOM platforms to drive operational efficiency in government agencies

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively enabling long-term mission success and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner lets solve challenges think innovatively and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork dedication and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:-1::2015) two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC) and CMMC Level 2 Certification.

Industry Recognition

Growth Inc 5000s Fastest Growing Private Companies DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work Corporate Diversity Index Winner Mid-Size Companies Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labors HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off healthcare benefits supplemental benefits 401k including an employer match discount perks rewards and more. We invest in our employees Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications degrees or professional development. Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course complete a certification or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.

We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities virtual and in-person e.g. we host happy hours holiday events fitness & wellness events and annual alignment with our commitment to our communities we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative innovative and happy.

Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA

Kentro is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal state and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting hiring and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees including protected veterans are treated with dignity respect and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the: Apply for this Job button at the bottom of this Job Description or the button at the top: Application. Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position. If you need alternative application methods please email and request assistance.

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations please email .

Required Experience:

Staff IC