Principal Solution Architect & Innovation Lead - National Solutions Growth
$154.1k - $278.5k
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Chantilly, VA, USA+1 moreMore locations: Gaithersburg, MD, USA
In PersonOn-site office locations: Gaithersburg, Maryland or Chantilly, Virginia.
Solution EngineeringPre-Sales Solution Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Top Secret Clearance Required
About the job
Requirements
- Demonstrate hands-on leadership in modern architectures within the last five or more years, including architecting solutions on AWS or Azure using serverless technologies, containers or Kubernetes, and microservices.
- Have experience integrating data fabrics, artificial intelligence or machine-learning pipelines, or automated processing of overhead sensor data.
- Have a demonstrated track record leading technical responses for federal acquisitions, including deconstructing RFP Section L and M and architecting a compliant technical solution.
- Have proven leadership experience in technical planning, system design, and full life-cycle systems engineering, including requirements analysis, functional analysis, integration, verification, and validation.
- Have a BS in Computer Science or a related field with 15 or more years of relevant experience, an MS with 13 or more years, or a PhD with 10 or more years.
- Possess an active TS/SCI security clearance with a polygraph.
Responsibilities
- Champion and architect innovative, next-generation system solutions.
- Lead technical planning and Analysis of Alternatives for high-consequence acquisition decisions, evaluating alternatives based on cost, risk, and supportability across the total system life cycle.
- Serve as the technical visionary and lead for high-priority proposal efforts, including RFPs and RFIs, shaping strategies and solutions aligned with customer needs.
- Diagnose and resolve complex issues on challenged programs, providing expert diagnostics, recovery planning, and hands-on leadership to guide teams back to success.
- Design end-to-end solutions integrating emerging technologies such as generative AI, computer vision, and edge compute into mission-critical workflows from sensor collection to final exploitation.
- Engage directly with senior government customers, program managers, and stakeholders to understand challenges, build trust, and translate mission needs into technical requirements and roadmaps.
- Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams in transient settings, fostering innovation, ownership, and technical excellence and coaching technical staff to elevate their performance.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience resolving highly complex, multidimensional problems involving variables that affect multiple aspects of a program.
- Deep understanding of the Intelligence Community landscape, including space-based architectures, ground processing, GEOINT, and TCPED missions, and the constraints and requirements of classified environments.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior executive leadership and customers.
- Direct, hands-on experience supporting satellite ground systems, mission management, or geospatial intelligence programs.
- Demonstrated success leading solutioning for capture and proposal efforts for major government contracts.
- Experience with modern engineering methodologies such as Model-Based Systems Engineering, Agile, and DevSecOps.
- Familiarity with cloud architectures such as AWS and Azure, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
- Hands-on experience developing innovative solutions in a modern programming language such as Java or C++, preferably in both program and research and development settings.
About the company
Leidos develops technology and runs services for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies, as well as healthcare and commercial customers. It combines software and engineering work with systems integration, building secure networks and equipment used in demanding operations. Its portfolio includes medical services, energy infrastructure design and technology that supports military missions, linking specialist businesses under one parent. Customers pay through contracts for delivered systems and services, with payment tied to labor, costs or agreed project milestones. Leidos traces its roots to a company founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Reston, Virginia
Founded
1969
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Recognized sales are growing: Leidos reported fiscal Q2 revenue of $4.56 billion, up 7%, in August 2026.
- Technical study gets support: Leidos lists 4,092 certification prep courses and tuition assistance for full time employees.
- Future work includes funded contracts: Leidos reported $10.2 billion of funded backlog in August 2026.
What critics are saying
- Federal budgets dominate demand: Leidos' February 2026 filing attributed 87% of fiscal 2025 revenue to U.S. government work.
- Cleared cyber roles restrict access: Leidos' live Fort Meade analyst posting requires active Top Secret clearance with a polygraph.
- Cost overruns threaten margins: firm fixed price work accounted for 43% of Leidos' fiscal 2025 revenue.
What makes Leidos unique
- Runway capacity improves through software: Leidos and UK navigation provider NATS optimize landing spacing with Intelligent Approach.
- Leidos reaches patients directly: its QTC medical exam business connects over 15,000 providers with more than 90 clinics.
- Leidos builds battlefield hardware: it is the Army's prime contractor for Enduring Shield, a mobile air-defense launcher.
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Benefits
- Medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Health Savings account
- Income protection
- PTO
- Paid parental leave
- Jury duty pay
- Bereavement leave
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Family Benefits