Senior Solutions Architect

The Senior Solutions Architect at Ardent plays a crucial role in designing and implementing innovative IT solutions tailored to client objectives. Responsibilities include developing staffing plans for service delivery, supporting federal agencies, driving proposal development, and ensuring secure, scalable solutions that meet compliance standards. This position also offers the chance to significantly impact national priorities through strategic system architectures.

To qualify for the Senior Solutions Architect position at Ardent, candidates should have at least an Associate's Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, along with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. A strong knowledge of enterprise IT architecture, cloud-native infrastructures, and SDLC tools is essential, along with hands-on experience in requirements gathering and system design.

Essential technical skills for the Senior Solutions Architect role at Ardent include expertise in cloud migration (such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud), hybrid and cloud-native architecture, containers, service mesh, and APIs. Additionally, candidates should have a robust understanding of SDLC, agile delivery methods, and possess strong analytic and problem-solving skills.

At Ardent, the working environment for a Senior Solutions Architect is dynamic and collaborative, combining the benefits of hybrid work flexibility in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. The culture emphasizes a commitment to personal well-being and professional development, encouraging innovation while working alongside like-minded professionals dedicated to solving critical government challenges.

Ardent is dedicated to the professional development of its employees, including Senior Solutions Architects. The company offers competitive benefits, access to advanced training, collaborative work experiences, and opportunities to engage with cutting-edge projects. This commitment fosters continuous learning and growth, ensuring you can develop your skills and advance your career.

In your response, highlight specific examples of cloud migration projects you've led, emphasizing the platforms you've worked with, such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud. Discuss how these experiences equipped you with the skills to design scalable solutions and ensure compliance while serving governmental clients.

Explain your step-by-step approach to requirements gathering. Mention stakeholder engagement, documentation methods, and how you ensure that you capture technical requirements effectively. Providing an example of a successful project can illustrate your understanding of this process.

Detail your methods for staying updated, such as attending conferences, participating in webinars, and engaging with professional communities. Mention any certifications you pursue or relevant literature you read to enhance your knowledge of IT architecture trends.

Discuss your grasp of DevOps principles and how they play a vital role in enhancing collaboration and efficiency in IT projects. Explain how you would adopt DevOps practices in the solutions architecture lifecycle to streamline processes and improve outcomes.

Provide a comprehensive example that outlines the project scope, your role, and the specific challenges encountered during the design phase. Highlight your problem-solving strategies and how the final solution met or exceeded client expectations.

Outline the steps you take to assess and integrate security measures into your solutions. Discuss your approach to compliance with relevant regulations and how you keep security at the forefront of the architecture design process.

Talk about specific projects where you've implemented Agile practices, illustrating your understanding of Agile principles like iteration and collaboration. Discuss the benefits you witnessed in project delivery and how it improved team dynamics.

Explain your communication style and how you foster collaboration in a team environment. Emphasize the importance of understanding different perspectives and how you align diverse teams towards a common goal, particularly in IT projects.

Discuss your familiarity with various enterprise architecture models, such as TOGAF or Zachman, and explain your preferred model based on your experiences. Provide rationale for your preference, focusing on effectiveness in project outcomes.

Articulate your motivations for wanting to join Ardent, focusing on the alignment between your skills, values, and career aspirations with the company’s mission and culture. Mention how you resonate with the company’s commitment to collaboration and client service.