Principal Solutions Architect

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Capture & Business Development Lead

Technical capture and solution development activities for opportunities from identification through proposal submission, including competitive analysis, solution shaping, win strategy development, price-to-win support, and BOE/resource plan development. Engage proactively with Department of State stakeholders to understand mission requirements, socialize solutions, and shape acquisitions ahead of release. Build, manage, and leverage teaming partnerships with subcontractors, OEMs, and technology vendors to strengthen TekSynaps solutions and expand coverage across opportunities. Represent TekSynap at industry events, pre-solicitation exchanges, technical engagement sessions, and customer meetings to advance brand visibility and build relationships with key stakeholders. Support oral presentations, technical exchange meetings (TEMs), and other direct customer interactions as required during the procurement process.

Solution Architecture & Technical Solutioning

Architect technically credible, operationally realistic solutions for areas including voice and data network design and modernization, VPN and remote access, domain services network support, and SD-WAN. Design enterprise end user and mobile computing support solutions that are ITIL aligned for domestic bureaus and overseas posts. Develop solution architecture documentation, concepts of operations, logical and physical architecture diagrams, staffing models, and implementation roadmaps in support of proposals and customer engagements. Understand and incorporate the unique technical constraints of supporting DoS global IT infrastructure, including OCONUS deployments, satellite-dependent connectivity, out-of-band access for remote posts, and classified network environments. Integrate Zero Trust architecture principles, DoS cybersecurity policies, and network segmentation requirements into solution designs where applicable.

Lead and author technical volumes and oral presentation materials for proposals, ensuring solutions are compelling, discriminating, and evaluator-ready. Analyze RFP requirements and evaluation criteria to develop responsive, compliant, and winning technical approaches; identify and articulate technical win themes that differentiate TekSynap. Collaborate with the proposal team to ensure seamless integration of the technical solution across management, past performance, and pricing volumes.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent experience considered.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in federal IT, with meaningful experience supporting network and telecommunications services and infrastructure modernization efforts at enterprise scale.
• 5+ years of direct involvement in federal capture and proposal development, including authoring winning technical volumes for complex, competitive government IT contracts.
• Demonstrated experience with or knowledge of Department of State strongly preferred; comparable large-scale federal civilian IT modernization programs considered.

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of enterprise network architectures including WAN/LAN, VPN, DNS/DHCP, Active Directory, voice services, load balancing, and remote access technologies in federal or large-scale enterprise environments.
• Familiarity with global/OCONUS IT infrastructure considerations, including satellite connectivity, limited-bandwidth environments, out-of-band access, and operationally austere deployments.
• Working knowledge of Zero Trust architecture principles, network segmentation, DoD/DoS security frameworks, and endpoint security as they apply to network and end user service delivery.
• Familiarity with SD-WAN, unified communications, cloud-integrated networking, and Microsoft 365 in a government context is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to author clear, persuasive, evaluation-friendly technical proposal content under deadline pressure.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Strong executive presence and ability to engage senior government stakeholders, facilitate technical workshops, and translate mission challenges into credible solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, build consensus, and operate independently with minimal supervision in a fast-moving capture environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance at time of hire.
• Prior experience supporting DOS contracts or direct familiarity with the overseas post/embassy IT environment, including exposure to classified enclaves and OCONUS operational constraints.
• ITIL v4 certification or equivalent; Cisco CCNP/CCIE, CompTIA Network+, or Security+; or AWS/Azure certifications in networking or architecture.
• Experience supporting IDIQ vehicles and task order competition environments, particularly large multi-awardee vehicles in the federal civilian or State/USAID space.
• Established professional network within the Department of State IRM/DT community or comparable federal civilian IT customer base.

Overview

We are seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to join our Department of State team. TekSynap, as a long-standing Department of State network infrastructure and technology modernization partner, is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to support the continued growth of our Department of State and foreign affairs programs. The Principal Solutions Architect to serve as the technical cornerstone and customer-facing lead for our capture and solutioning efforts. This role blends deep technical expertise in enterprise networking and end user support with the capture acumen, strategic creativity, and customer relationship skills required to win in one of the federal governments most competitive IT services landscapes.

The right candidate understands the State Departments global IT mission, including the unique demands of supporting 260+ diplomatic posts worldwide and can translate that understanding into compelling, differentiated solutions and proposals. TekSynap is a fast-growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well-planned information management environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Location: Hybrid - Reston, VA
• Type of environment: Varies
• Noise level: Medium
• Work schedule: Schedule is day shift Monday - Friday. May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.
• Amount of Travel: up to 25% (including CONUS and OCONUS customer site visits)

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to grip, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds.
• The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds.
• The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

US Citizenship Active DoD Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance OR current, active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Other Information

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. TekSynap is a drug-free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment. TekSynap is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please contact hr@teksynap.com for assistance.