Solution Architect Lead

Job Summary

This position leads federal Health IT modernization by combining solutions architecture, full-stack development, cloud engineering, cybersecurity compliance, and agile project leadership. Responsibilities include developing and modernizing federal systems, contributing to technical proposals, managing development teams, ensuring FISMA/NIST/508 compliance, and implementing secure cloud infrastructures. The role also guides UX strategy, analytics, and data visualization for public-facing research platforms, requiring extensive experience in .NET development, federal security standards, DevOps, and effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

6-month term-limited position. There is the possibility to extend the position if we secure additional funding.

Responsibilities*

• Proposal Writing, Technical Solutioning & Federal Contract Support
• Write and contribute to federal contract proposals, including technical sections, level-of-effort estimates, system architecture descriptions, and modernization strategies.
• Interface with stakeholders to define scope, system requirements, timelines, and budget justification for federal bids.
• Provide authoritative technical insight on modernization paths, cloud adoption, security compliance, accessibility, and data architecture to strengthen competitive proposals.
• Support federal clients by translating policy and program requirements into actionable system solutions, user workflows, and reporting mechanisms.
• Federal Health IT Modernization & Full-Stack Application Development
• Lead modernization of large-scale federal and federally funded program systems with improved architecture and code quality.
• Develop secure, FISMA-moderate compliant web applications using ASP.NET/Core, REST APIs, SQL Server, JavaScript frameworks, XML/JSON, and cloud-based infrastructures.
• Modernize federal reporting platforms using interactive visualization tools (D3.js, Plot.ly) and accessible, standards-compliant UI frameworks.
• Build custom research data-collection systems, study management software, reporting dashboards, and internal business applications for HHS agencies (CDC, CMS, HRSA, NIH).
• Team Leadership, Project Management & Agile Delivery Oversight
• Lead a team of developers responsible for enterprise Web applications across multiple federal and industry-funded research programs.
• Manage full SDLC using agile and iterative development methodologies--requirements, prototyping, sprint planning, QA/UAT cycles, deployment, documentation, and training.
• Administer Atlassian JIRA for sprint management, backlog grooming, and DevOps workflows across multiple projects.
• Direct the integration of AI-assisted development using GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude Code to accelerate modernization and code quality.
• Cloud Architecture, Cybersecurity Compliance & System Administration Support
• Architect and administer hybrid cloud ecosystems across Azure and AWS, including IaaS and PaaS services supporting public-facing government systems.
• Collaborate with IT on cloud migration initiatives, high-availability configuration, DNS and domain administration, IIS management, and Azure AD/Entra authentication.
• Ensure compliance with FISMA Moderate, NIST 800-53, federal Section 508 accessibility requirements, and secure coding standards.
• Implement and manage Web Application Firewalls (Imperva), secure authentication systems (RSA, Azure/Entra), continuous monitoring, and vulnerability detection.
• Represent application development in cross-functional cybersecurity initiatives with internal and external security teams.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD), UX Strategy & Data Visualization
• Lead Human-Centered Design efforts--user research, persona development, card sorting, information architecture, usability testing, SEO optimization, and accessibility compliance.
• Deliver modern, intuitive user experiences for federal research portals, public websites, and reporting dashboards.
• Implement analytics strategies using Google Analytics, Bing Webmaster Tools, and custom performance monitoring tools.
• Build interactive visualizations and modern reporting experiences for complex health research datasets using D3.js, Plot.ly, and Tableau.
• Ensure consistent, responsive design across multiple websites (WordPress, DNN, custom .NET systems).
  

Required Qualifications*

• B.S. in Computer Engineering
• 10 years of experience in solutions architecture, enterprise system design, and modernization of federally funded systems.
• Extensive experience in IT security, including work in FISMA Moderate environments, NIST 800-53 compliance, secure authentication (Azure/Entra, RSA), and web application firewall administration.
• 10 years of experience in IT project management and DevOps, including agile/iterative SDLC leadership, CI/CD tooling, version control migrations, sprint management, QA/UAT oversight, and cloud modernization.
• 10 years as a full-stack developer with expertise in .NET (Core, MVC, Forms), REST APIs, SQL Server, JavaScript frameworks, cloud services, and large-scale web application development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and federal clients.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively or independently while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated experience achieving Authority to Operate (ATO) for federal systems and working within federal compliance frameworks.
• Experience in proposal writing for federal contracts, including technical solution development, system architecture descriptions, resource estimation, modernization strategy articulation, and human centered design.
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications*

• 15 years of experience in IT, preferably within a health research, public health, academic, or federally funded research environment.
• Familiarity with or experience applying Lean management, continuous improvement methodologies, or operations streamlining.
• Demonstrated leadership and staff management experience, including mentoring, performance reviews, team development, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience managing, forecasting, and budgeting Federal projects.
  
  
  

Work Locations

Hybrid in the office as needed. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. For more information, please visit https://careers.umich.edu/benefits/.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.