Sr. Principal Solution Architect

Palo Alto Networks•Office - USA - CA - Headquarters, CA

2d•$223,000 - $306,500•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a visionary, future-focused Sr. Principal Solution Architect to lead the solution strategy, architectural design, and AI-driven transformation of our quote-to-cash and broader enterprise ecosystem. In this highly visible role, you will serve as the strategic bridge between core CPQ business needs and emerging AI capabilities. You will not just be designing traditional system configurations; you will be applying a first-principles mindset to embed intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and machine learning into our core CPQ workflows. By understanding the deep domain nuances of CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) and its downstream impacts, you will connect the dots across disparate systems. You will partner with cross-functional teams to build a unified, scalable, and AI-optimized technical solution architecture.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, software engineering, or technical consulting, with at least 5+ years functioning at a Principal Architect level.
Profound understanding of CPQ business processes, product catalog modeling, and quoting workflows, paired with a proven understanding of how AI can optimize the sales-to-fulfillment cycle.
Proven track record of designing complex integrations (APIs, event-driven architectures, middleware) across large-scale enterprise ecosystems (CRM to ERP to Provisioning).
Ability to strip away assumptions, drill down to the fundamental truths of a business or technical problem, and build innovative solutions upward.
Exceptional communication skills. You are comfortable translating deeply technical concepts into business value for C-suite executives and driving consensus among diverse stakeholders.
High level of autonomy and initiative. You thrive in ambiguity, take ownership of challenges, and independently drive initiatives to completion.
A strong collaborator who believes that the best architectures are built through shared knowledge, low ego, and teamwork.
Experience using AI-driven coding tools or low-code environments to explore data structures and automate repetitive sales-ops workflows.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience designing architectures that utilize Large Language Models, Agentic frameworks and Vector Databases within an enterprise context.
Recognized architectural certifications in leading enterprise platforms
Proven experience navigating the unique Quote-to-Cash complexities of high-volume or highly configurable industries, such as SaaS, Telecommunications, or Advanced Manufacturing.
Experience with building Custom application
Experience with Agile development methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
Prior experience working in a Principal or Director-level capacity, demonstrating ownership over a significant product area.

Responsibilities

Drive the end-to-end technical architecture for our CPQ initiatives, proactively embedding AI and machine learning capabilities (e.g., dynamic pricing optimization, intelligent guided selling, and automated contract anomaly detection).
Act as a strategic partner to the business. Bring leaders from Finance, Provisioning, Sales Operations, and IT along on the journey, bridging the gap between business strategy and technical execution to create a unified architecture.
Design holistic integration strategies. You will look beyond CPQ to understand how it interacts with the entire enterprise ecosystem, including CRM, ERP, Billing, and downstream Provisioning systems.
Establish and enforce best-in-class industry design principles. Ensure all solutions prioritize security, high availability, performance, and scalability.
Proactively identify dependencies, risks, and synergies across different technical domains and ongoing projects. Ensure isolated systems are woven into a cohesive, streamlined architecture.
Act as a self-starter and a core team collaborator. Guide, mentor, and elevate the technical capabilities of junior architects, developers, and engineers. Player coach mindset to drive technical and functional architecture to drive AI architecture and excellence