Solutions Architect

Job Title: Senior Principal Solutions Architect Job Description This Senior Principal Solutions Architect role focuses on designing and guiding the development of advanced satellite ground systems and related networking infrastructure for mission-critical government and military communications. You will serve as a subject matter expert in satellite communications, complex system management, and networking protocols, translating deep theoretical concepts into practical architectures and high-level designs that engineering teams can implement. This is an internal development-focused position, where you will drive innovation in microservices-based, modular ground segment infrastructure and ensure that complex RF, networking, and software technologies are integrated into robust, secure, and scalable solutions. Responsibilities Contribute to the overall architectural vision and customer-driven objectives for adopting next-generation terrestrial, cellular, wireless, and satellite waveforms and propagation techniques, including standards such as DVB-S2X. Perform systems engineering and architecture development that incorporates new and emerging technologies into the organization’s satellite communications solution sets. Integrate complex technology components—including RF systems, interference mitigation, networking and routing, network management, and monitoring—into cohesive solutions that are easy to use for non-satellite expert user communities. Produce mathematical simulations of communication channels to analyze channel improvement measures such as pre-distortion and pre-coding, and to optimize satellite communication system efficiency through techniques like interference mitigation and cancellation, successive interference cancellation, multiuser detection (MUD), and phased array antenna techniques for both space and ground segments. Lead the design of advances in adaptive TDMA, SCPC, DAMA, and IoT return channels, including modeling and designing control loops and algorithms suitable for real-time embedded system implementation. Participate with relevant standards bodies to ensure proposed standards are technically sound and aligned with the organization’s strategic and technical interests. Collaborate with customers, business development partners, and Senior leadership on innovative advancements to the product line, providing thought leadership and technical guidance. Win customer confidence through integrity, clear technical communication, effective problem solving, capability demonstrations, and constructive requirements negotiation. Author internal and external technical documents, including white papers and technical descriptions of satellite communication technologies and architectures. Facilitate collaboration with platform teams and other engineering functions to resolve system design issues and ensure architectural consistency across products. Maintain a high level of awareness of competitive developments, technological trends, and complementary third-party technologies relevant to satellite communications and networking. Draw up detailed solution and system designs based on a microservices architecture and oversee engineering teams to ensure implementations follow the intended architecture and do not deviate from design principles. Lead technical discussions for new features, drive consensus among stakeholders, and capture outcomes in the form of designs, models, and requirements. Mentor junior technical contributors and work closely with Senior engineering specialists on simultaneous top-down and bottom-up design and configuration for RF and microwave communication and monitoring systems. Manage delivery of architecture-driven projects, ensuring solutions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and with the required quality. Plan and perform RF link budget analyses, cascade analyses, functional decomposition, and studies and trade-offs to support subsystem specifications and hardware, firmware, and software design recommendations. Essential Skills At least 7 years of Solution Architecture experience, with a focus on internal development of complex systems rather than solely integration or implementation. Approximately 20 or more years of related software and system solution development experience, with strong ties to the development side of architecture. Extensive experience architecting or designing software applications based on a microservices architecture, including deployment using containers such as Docker and orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes. Experience with provider-level networking systems, including cellular, telecom, and satellite networks. Demonstrated ability to learn and innovate in the field of software-defined radio (SDR) links. Proven track record architecting solutions for complex systems that employ both high-power computing platforms and embedded hardware platforms. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for conveying complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences. Experience authoring technical documents and white papers that clearly articulate architectural approaches and technology strategies. Ability to lead technical discussions for new features, drive consensus among cross-functional teams, and document the results in the form of designs, models, and requirements. Comfort working closely with Senior engineering specialists and mentoring junior technical staff on RF and microwave communication and monitoring systems, including simultaneous top-down and bottom-up design and configuration. Experience managing project delivery, ensuring that architecture-driven solutions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and with the required quality. Ability to plan and perform RF link budget analyses, cascade analyses, functional decomposition, and technical trade studies to support subsystem specification and design recommendations. Additional Skills & Qualifications Prior experience in satellite ground systems and related networking infrastructure, with familiarity in satellite communications concepts and complex system management. Experience with VSAT waveforms and satellite communication standards; prior VSAT experience is highly desirable. Experience architecting, designing, and testing systems and fixtures in a multidisciplinary environment, including developing and writing software for test and integration using languages such as Go, NodeJS, C, C++, C#, SystemC, LabView, Python, and next-generation programming languages. Knowledge of and prior experience with Web Services and RESTful APIs, including API design and system-to-system interface development. Exposure to cloud technologies, including Kubernetes, containerization, cloud-native architectures, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). Familiarity with virtualization platforms such as VMware and KVM, and cloud platforms including AWS, OpenStack, Azure, and Google Cloud. Working knowledge of IP networking protocols and standards, including IPv4 and IPv6. Experience with ground segment infrastructure for satellite communications, from RF at the dish through to delivery of services to IP users’ cloud or internet environments. Ability to oversee engineering teams during deployment to ensure they implement solutions correctly and align with architectural intent. Experience participating in or influencing standards bodies and industry working groups related to satellite communications and networking. Work Environment This role is based in Herndon, Virginia, with the option of a remote work schedule, offering flexibility in how you structure your workday. You will collaborate closely with a team of smart, creative, and dedicated engineering professionals in a technology-driven environment focused on satellite-based IP communications for government and military organizations. The work involves advanced RF systems, satellite ground segment infrastructure, microservices-based software architectures, containerization, orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes, and cloud technologies across providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and OpenStack. The organization is recognized as a market-leading provider of VSAT technology for mission-critical applications and has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Greater Washington, D.C. area for multiple consecutive years, reflecting a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement. The environment emphasizes technical excellence, thought leadership, and integrity, with opportunities to influence standards, drive new product capabilities, and work on cutting-edge solutions that support global IP networks and secure satellite communications. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Herndon, VA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $200000.00 - $240000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. will get updated benefits! Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Herndon,VA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.