Solution Architect

Apply Description Client First Technologies (CFT), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) provider of IT Services including Software Development, IT Infrastructure, and Data Analytics within Federal environments supporting VA and DoD customers, is looking for an experienced Solution Architect to join our growing team. This role is responsible for developing the comprehensive technical architecture, design, and blueprint of Federal IT solutions as part of overall technical proposals for FAR and non-FAR based procurements. This person owns the technical solution across the capture lifecycle: shaping it during pre-RFP customer engagement, defending it at gate reviews, translating it into compliant and evaluator-friendly written responses, pricing it through a defensible basis of estimate, and standing behind it under questioning at an oral evaluation. A key leader of our business development team, the Solution Architect should be able to apply creative problem-solving, critical thinking, technical expertise, and business analytics across the entire opportunity lifecycle. They are responsible for analyzing RFPs to identify customer objectives, engaging customers directly to understand requirements, developing value propositions, and conceptualizing responsive solutions. This opportunity is an excellent fit for self-starters interested in joining a growing company, tackling challenging projects, and developing innovative technology solutions. This is a full-time, remote opportunity. CFT offers a complete benefits package, a collaborative work environment, and a strong company culture that understands and respects work-life balance, values open communication and is committed to producing high-quality work. Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities Lead technical discovery during pre-RFP customer engagement, including industry days, one-on-one sessions, site visits, and draft solicitation review, and convert what is learned into a specific solution concept rather than a generic capability narrative. Collaborate cross-functionally with Capture Managers, Business Development Managers, Proposal Managers, and Writers to craft optimal technical solutions that meet customer requirements Author technical content for RFI responses, sources sought responses, capability statements, and white papers used to shape requirements before a solicitation drops. Identify and document technical capability gaps early enough to drive a make-or-team decision, and support technical vetting of prospective teaming partners against the specific gap identified. Conceptualize graphics to convey key solution concepts, visualizing processes, relationships, dependencies, technologies, benefits, features, and other components that tie solutions to problems Architect, design, and present innovative, cost-effective technical solutions that meet and exceed customer requirements to CFT leadership, Federal customers, and Federal Chief Information Officers Own the technical volume from start to finish and lead solution development, including scheduling and leading brainstorming sessions and SME interviews, designing concepts for graphics, researching solutions, and authoring proposal content Serve as primary author of technical approach, management approach where technically driven, transition and phase-in approach, and quality control content. Define scope and goals of proposed solutions (including potential alternate solutions for consideration), including the possible challenges and risks and Level of Effort / Basis of Effort estimates for the solutions Build the technical basis of estimate: work decomposition, level-of-estimate logic, labor category mapping, skill mix, and staffing ramp, with stated and defensible assumptions. Construct rough order of magnitude models for RFI and market research responses, including tiered capacity constructs where scope is undefined. Serve as the technical presenter or technical bench for oral presentations, technical challenges, and scenario-based evaluations. Answer government technical questions accurately under time pressure, including acknowledging the limits of CFT's experience where that is the accurate answer. Build and maintain a technical reuse library: solution patterns, boilerplate, past performance technical summaries, and graphics inventory. Establish implementation capabilities, limitations, performance requirements, and interfaces for the end-user solution Support the start-up and delivery of won proposals by assisting in job interviews, delivering work assignments, and briefing executive leadership Requirements Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience 10+ years of experience developing IT and cloud infrastructure solutions or software development Demonstrated expertise in Azure & M365 implementation, operations, and sustainment. Fluency with Microsoft Power Platform Demonstrated experience leading or architecting federal production systems that have achieved and maintained authority to operate Demonstrated expertise in generative and agentic AI, including technical implementation and governance Detailed understanding of federal proposal mechanics Ability to work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders Successful candidates will be prepared to outline specific examples of past success on proposal efforts and may be asked to provide a writing sample during the screening process as determined by the hiring manager. Successful execution of each phase of the proposal development process This is a position for self-starters who can comfortably take initiative and drive solution development efforts from capture to submission Desired Qualifications Prior technical delivery experience on a DoD readiness reporting (e.g., DRRS, NRRE, etc.) or military personnel program (e.g., ADE, MCRISS, etc.) Experience working in IL5 & IL6 cloud environments Demonstrated experience architecting for, or delivering in, a federal DevSecOps environment (e.g., software factory) Industry recognized cloud certification Industry recognized cybersecurity certification Travel Occasional travel and overtime may be required. Required Clearances The ability to pass a Government Background Investigation (BI) is required.