Solutions Architect

Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG) • Grand Rapids, MI

5d • $109,623 - $126,790 • Remote

About The Position

Syms Strategic Group (SSG) is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect Principal for a full-time, 100% U.S.-based remote position supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs. The role develops and leads complete, competitive technical solutions for customer requirements and contributes to proposal development. The architect works closely with the Enterprise Architect to design, implement, and govern secure, scalable, highly available Azure cloud architectures aligned with enterprise standards, business objectives, security requirements, and government cloud best practices.

The position provides technical subject matter expertise across cloud architecture, security, networking, data platforms, DevOps, monitoring, and cost governance. It leads and coordinates technical contributors on solution development, proposal writing, and estimating; guides team members; and develops solutions to complex problems while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI). The stated salary range is $109,623–$126,790. Applicants in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington will not be considered. This is a W-2 position.

Requirements

• 10+ years of software testing, quality assurance, or system validation experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cloud Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this opportunity.
• Must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI).
• Proven track record designing, deploying, and managing Azure infrastructure and services.
• Experience with large-scale, highly available, scalable cloud architecture and enterprise Azure solutions.
• Extensive experience with Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, Azure Virtual Network, Azure Functions, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), ARM templates, Azure Monitor, and Azure DNS.
• Experience implementing Azure security services and practices, including Microsoft Entra ID, Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Firewall, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Web Application Firewall.
• Strong understanding of Azure networking, including VNet peering, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, Private Link, and hybrid connectivity architectures.
• Experience establishing and governing multi-subscription Azure environments with Azure Management Groups, Azure Policy, and Azure Landing Zones.
• Knowledge of cloud financial management, Azure Cost Management, budgeting, resource optimization, cost governance, and cloud cost optimization.
• Proficiency in automation and scripting with Python, PowerShell, Azure CLI, or other automation frameworks; the description also lists Bash and NodeJS.
• Expertise with monitoring, logging, and observability tools such as Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, Microsoft Sentinel, and third-party platforms.
• Strong understanding of Azure security architecture, governance, compliance, and regulatory frameworks, including HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and industry-specific standards.
• Experience implementing encryption, key management, identity management, and privileged access controls using Azure Key Vault and Microsoft Entra ID.
• Knowledge of Azure data platform services, including Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Lake Storage.
• Experience with database performance optimization, high availability, backup and recovery planning, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Familiarity with CI/CD methodologies and DevOps practices using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Azure Pipelines, and related deployment tools.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Container Apps, and Azure Container Instances.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex cloud infrastructure, networking, application, and cloud-related issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and provide business-focused recommendations to stakeholders, executives, and nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to prioritize competing initiatives, manage multiple workstreams and projects, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Strong attention to detail to support operational excellence, system stability and reliability, security, and data integrity.
• Ability to lead technical projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong documentation and architectural design skills, including creating and maintaining system configurations, processes, procedures, and governance documentation.
• Commitment to continuous learning and keeping current with Azure technologies, cloud-native architectures, security trends, tools, and industry best practices.

Nice To Haves

• Deep hands-on EDIFECS experience with Electronic Data Interchange X.12 standards and workflows, including medical claims transactions 837, 834, 835, and 277; 270/271 and 278/275 transactions; and 999 transactions.
• Advanced Azure certifications, including Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert, Azure Administrator Associate, and Azure Security Engineer Associate.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of customer requirements using domain expertise.
• Lead development of complete solutions that meet requirements and result in price-competitive proposals.
• Collaborate with business development, capture, proposal, and other team members to optimize proposed solutions.
• Identify technical staffing needs for Pre-Bid and Proposal (B&P) activities and coordinate assignment of technical personnel.
• Coordinate with technical leadership and contributors on solution development, proposal writing, and estimating.
• Provide subject matter expertise to meet customer technical, schedule, and cost requirements within applicable risk parameters.
• Work with the Enterprise Architect to design, implement, and govern secure, scalable, highly available Azure cloud architectures aligned with enterprise standards, business objectives, security requirements, and government cloud best practices.
• Contribute to new concepts, techniques, and standards; establish goals to meet assigned objectives and guide team members toward those goals.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex problems and ensure solutions are consistent with organizational objectives.
• Determine the technical objectives of assignments.
• Troubleshoot and optimize the performance, availability, and reliability of Azure resources and workloads.
• Lead cloud transformation initiatives and collaborate across infrastructure, security, development, and business organizations.
• Create and maintain solution designs, standards, operational procedures, and governance documentation.
• Mentor engineers, architects, and technical teams, fostering knowledge sharing and technical growth.
• Manage and contribute to multiple complex projects while meeting timelines and architectural standards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal