Chief Solution Architect

Overview

Summary

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Solution Architect with deep expertise in application modernization, cloud-native architecture, and modern software development practices to drive the transformation of legacy applications using traditional architecture combined with low code application platforms (LCAP) and AI/ML technologies. This role serves as the technical visionary and hands-on architect who will create compelling end-state architectures, build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups, and lead the modernization journey from legacy systems to cloud-native, microservices-based solutions. The ideal candidate is a seasoned technologist who balances strategic thinking with hands-on technical capabilities, can evangelize modern development practices including AI-assisted development tools, and excels at translating complex technical concepts for both business and technical audiences. You will collaborate closely with application architects, SRE managers, data architects, and business SMEs to deliver transformative outcomes.

Responsibilities

What You'll Be Doing:

• Define and articulate the technical vision and multi-year roadmap for application development and modernization, creating compelling end-state architectures that gain buy-in from FAA IT leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Lead the design and implementation of modern, cloud-native application architectures leveraging microservices, API-first design, event-driven patterns, and containerization to replace legacy monolithic systems.
• Design, build, and deploy machine learning models and data pipelines to solve business problems utilizing Python, working with frameworks like PyTorch or Keras, ensuring model performance through MLOps, and collaborating on Generative AI or predictive applications.
• Design, build, and deploy business applications using low-code tools, AI, and automation, with minimal manual coding prioritizing rapid application development, AI-assisted data modeling, and automating workflows with tools such as Power Automate or UIPath.
• Drive consensus across cross-functional teams including application architects, SRE managers, data architects, business SMEs, development teams, and FAA IT stakeholders to align technical solutions with business outcomes.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership by writing code, building proofs-of-concept, developing prototypes, and conducting technical demonstrations to validate architectural decisions and accelerate modernization initiatives.
• Champion and demonstrate the adoption of AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot to improve SDLC productivity, code quality, and developer experience across various development teams.
• Lead technology evaluation and selection processes for application frameworks, development platforms, API gateways, integration tools, and supporting infrastructure aligned with FAA IT standards and federal requirements.
• Design comprehensive API strategies and integration architectures to enable seamless  connectivity between Karsun and FAA’s application ecosystem, including upstream and downstream systems.
• Establish and enforce security architecture principles and patterns ensuring development and modernization meets federal security requirements (FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST), implements zero-trust principles, and maintains robust security posture.
• Partner with SRE managers to architect DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD automation, infrastructure-as-code patterns, and observability solutions that enable continuous delivery and operational excellence.
• Facilitate architecture governance through design reviews, technical spikes, architecture decision records (ADRs), and collaborative sessions that guide development teams while maintaining architectural integrity.
• Present technical strategies, architecture proposals, and modernization roadmaps to FAA IT leadership, acquisition business function leaders, and executive stakeholders, translating technical complexity into business value.
• Mentor and develop architects and senior technical staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning within the program team.
• Conduct hands-on demonstrations of modern development practices, architectural patterns, and emerging technologies to build technical credibility and inspire teams to adopt new approaches.
• Define success metrics and architecture health indicators for modernization initiatives, tracking progress against technical and business objectives, and course-correcting when needed.
• Collaborate with data architects to design data access patterns, caching strategies, and data integration approaches that support modern application architectures while maintaining data integrity and compliance.

Qualifications and Education

Required Qualifications:

• BS degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical field.
• 15 years of software architecture and development experience with proven track record leading application modernization initiatives from legacy systems to modern, cloud-native architectures.
• 7 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing microservices architectures, RESTful APIs, event-driven systems, and distributed application patterns at enterprise scale.
• 5 years of cloud architecture experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP) including containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), serverless computing, and cloud-native application development.
• Strong hands-on coding skills in modern programming languages (Java, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, or Go) with ability to write production-quality code, review pull requests, and guide technical implementation.
• Demonstrated experience building consensus and driving alignment across diverse technical and business stakeholder groups, including executive leadership, product owners, and engineering teams.
• Proven ability to create and articulate compelling technical visions, develop multi-year technology roadmaps, and gain buy-in for transformative architecture initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of API design principles, API management platforms, integration patterns, and service mesh architectures for building scalable, resilient distributed systems.
• Deep understanding of security architecture including authentication/authorization patterns (OAuth, OIDC, SAML), security-by-design principles, and federal security compliance requirements (FISMA, FedRAMP).
• Experience with modern software development practices including DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation), automated testing, and deployment automation.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences, create compelling narratives around technical strategy, and influence decision-making at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated experience managing or mentoring technical staff including architects, senior engineers, and development teams, with strong leadership and coaching capabilities.

Compensation

The proposed salary range for this role is $****** to $******* USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. Karsun considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.