Solutions Architect

Solutions Architect

Washington DC

Long term

Job Description

Seeking a Principal Transportation Solutions Architect for a premier client in Washington DC to lead the technical design and integration of a 24/7 mission-critical operational ecosystem. This is a high-impact hands-on role designed for a veteran engineer turned architect who bridges the gap between complex technical design and real-world transport operations (rail transit or aviation). Acting as an independent consultant you will partner directly with operational stakeholders-such as dispatchers controllers and planners-to map As-Is/To-Be workflows and deliver execution-grade fault-tolerant architectures spanning IT/OT boundaries real-time data streaming lakehouses and cloud-hybrid platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Solutioning: Own the architecture and technical design for complex multi-system operational ecosystems ensuring seamless connectivity across scheduling dispatch crew management and asset maintenance.
• Process & Workflow Modeling: Conduct structured business process analysis including process mapping gap analysis and workflow decomposition to align technical design with physical operational realities.
• Architectural Artifact Creation: Produce rigorous execution-grade artifacts including solution design documents integration maps API contracts non-functional requirement matrices and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) that engineering teams can build against without ambiguity.
• Data & Integration Engineering: Design robust integration patterns utilizing event-driven architecture REST/GraphQL APIs pub/sub streaming (Kafka) and real-time operational data pipelines.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement: Interface directly with front-line operational staff to ground technical decisions in actual workflow contexts while supporting RFP/RFQ inputs vendor evaluations and architecture governance.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience Baseline: 10 years of progressive IT/technology experience featuring a strict foundation in hands-on engineering delivery (application development systems integration or data platforms) before moving into architecture. Note: Advisory-only candidates will not be competitive.
• Domain Expertise: 5 years as a Solutions or Enterprise Architect with demonstrated ownership of complex transportation operations (rail transit or airlines); familiarity with safety-adjacent low-latency rail environments is a major plus.
• Technical Depth: Deep command of cloud and hybrid platforms (AWS Azure or GCP) designed for 24/7 high availability reliability and fault tolerance.
• Advanced Data Ecosystems: Familiarity with lakehouse architectures (Databricks Delta Lake Unity Catalog) and AI/ML-enabled operations such as predictive maintenance anomaly detection or scheduling optimization.
• Consulting Mindset: Proven experience in a contractor or consulting engagement model; ability to deliver independently manage scope communicate blockers proactively and maintain elite artifact quality without close supervision.