Principal Solutions Architect; VA ESOM Security Clearance

Position: Principal Solutions Architect (VA ESOM) with Security Clearance
Description Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities. Our transition to Kentro in 2025 reflects a rich legacy built upon the foundation of IT Concepts. Rather than leaving ITC behind, we confidently embrace a future centered around the Core of More.

By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones. Kentro is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to serve as the Technical Authority for our Federal Health and Benefits portfolio, with a primary focus on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This is a high-impact, strategic role for a leader capable of defining the "To-Be" architecture for one of the federal government's largest and most complex IT ecosystems. Unlike a traditional architect, the Principal Architect does not just design solutions; they govern the technical vision. You will bridge the gap between fragmented, entrenched legacy environments and modern cloud-native architectures, translating complex mission requirements into secure, scalable, and compliant technology roadmaps.

You will serve as the primary technical liaison to senior VA stakeholders, balancing modernization goals with the strict risk, cost, and compliance constraints of the federal government.

Location:

Hybrid working environment. Candidates must reside in the general DMV area with the ability to travel for meetings as needed. Responsibilities Strategic Architecture & Modernization Authority:
* Modernization Strategy:
Define cohesive, end-to-end architecture blueprints that transition legacy workloads to modern, future-ready cloud environments (AWS/Azure/Hybrid). Provide thought leadership to navigate and unify the VA's often fragmented and entrenched operating environment.

* IT Operations Management (ITOM) Excellence:
Lead the architectural approach for ITOM execution, ensuring seamless visibility and management of the VA's diverse infrastructure and service components.

* IT Service Management (ITSM) Architecture:
Design and govern enterprise-level ITSM frameworks, specifically utilizing Service Now, to streamline service delivery, incident management, and change control. You will ensure these processes drive operational efficiency and align with the VA's specific operational standards.

* IT Asset Management (ITAM) Governance:
Establish robust strategies for the lifecycle management of hardware and software assets. You will lead the integration of ITAM data with ITOM and security operations to ensure total asset visibility, license compliance, and cost optimization across the VA ecosystem.

* Analysis of Alternatives (AoA):
Lead high-level trade-off analyses to select the optimal mix of COTS, SaaS, and custom software, ensuring decisions align with the client's specific constraints regarding data privacy and transaction volume.

* Data & Health Record Integration:
Lead the development of a transparent data ecosystem that improves data discovery and usability. Specifically, design strategies for the secure integration and management of VA health records, ensuring interoperability and data integrity.

* Technical Governance:
Establish and enforce enterprise architecture guardrails and Authority to Operate (ATO), ensuring all designs comply with NIST 800-53, Zero Trust, Section 508 (Accessibility), and VA-specific security mandates. Technical Leadership & Engineering Culture
* Client Solution Engagement:
Directly engage with clients on solution development, serving as a lead or key stakeholder for solutioning meetings to ensure technical accuracy and alignment with mission objectives.

* Lead the Leaders:
Coach and empower Senior Solution Architects and engineering leads. You are not just a mentor; you are the standard-bearer for engineering discipline and architectural quality.

* Cross-Functional Command:
Direct cross-functional engineering teams through the full lifecycle-from capture and design to delivery, ensuring solutions meet the extreme performance and reliability standards required for national entitlement programs.

* Engineering Engagement:
While operating at a high level, remain technical enough to assist in engineering solutions when needed, diving deep into code or configuration to resolve critical blockers.

* SDLC & Process Execution:
Apply a working knowledge of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to oversee and refine development workflows. You will ensure that all phases, from requirements gathering to deployment, align with VA operational standards and best practices. Business Development & Tactical Growth:
* Capture & Growth:
Drive both current work and capture new tactical growth opportunities. Partner…