Software Architect Jobs in Virginia
Software Architect jobs in Virginia are among the most actively recruited in the country, concentrated in federal contracting, defense technology, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, with demand at every level from mid-level associate architect through principal and distinguished engineer. Northern Virginia, Reston, and the Richmond corridor account for the bulk of openings, anchored by large employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Amazon Web Services. Systems design, cloud-native architecture, and enterprise security architecture are the most consistently sought specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About the Role
Redhorse transforms the way government uses data and technology. To support this mission, we are seeking a Software Architect who will serve as a recognized authority and visionary for our most complex technical initiatives. In this role, you will provide the big-picture oversight necessary to develop enhanced products that solve unusually complex technical problems for our government partners. You won’t just follow a roadmap—you will create it, experimenting with alternative approaches and validating architectures that set the standard for innovation and reliability in the federal space.
Key Responsibilities
- Articulate and champion the architectural vision for new and enhanced software products.
- Conceptualize and experiment with alternative architectural approaches to identify the most effective solutions for complex missions.
- Create comprehensive models, component specifications, and interface documentation.
- Validate proposed architectures against rigorous requirements and foundational assumptions.
- Collaborate closely with product developers, product managers, and customer application experts to ensure required features and modifications are seamlessly integrated.
- Provide expert technical advice across various departments within the organization.
- Integrate complex components built by distributed product development teams.
- Lead and mentor teams of planning analysts and developers, providing research and technical guidance.
- Determine and pursue independent courses of action to obtain desired results with wide latitude for judgment.
Required Experience/Clearance
- Must have an active TS/SCI security clearance.
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience as a recognized technical authority on unusually complex software problems.
- Proven track record of designing, modeling, and documenting enterprise-scale software architectures.
- Extensive proficiency in translating high-level mission requirements into technical specifications.
- Experience working without supervision on highly complex projects while providing leadership to cross-functional teams.
Desired Experience
We encourage all candidates who meet the basic requirements to apply, even if you do not have any of the following experience:
- Experience with Redhorse-relevant technologies such as DataBricks, Spark, GitLab, and Jira.
- Familiarity with cloud-native architecture (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and microservices design.
- Knowledge of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and deploying software in secure government environments.
- Experience with Agile methodologies and DevSecOps pipelines.
- Prior experience leading research-heavy technical initiatives or "innovation labs."
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 18 Software Architect Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Architect JobsSoftware Architect Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Architect Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software architect jobs across Virginia.
- Active security clearance or eligibility for federal clearance required by many Virginia employers
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Proficiency in cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud with enterprise-scale experience
- Demonstrated leadership of system design decisions across multiple development teams
- Experience with microservices, containerization, and CI/CD pipelines in production environments
- Strong communication skills to translate technical architecture decisions for non-technical stakeholders
Software Architect Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software architect in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a software architect. The typical path is a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering, followed by several years of software engineering experience before moving into architecture. Many Virginia employers, particularly federal contractors, expect proficiency in cloud platforms and enterprise systems design. Certifications from AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud are widely recognized by Virginia hiring managers and help candidates advance.
How much do software architects make in Virginia?
Software architects in Virginia earn a median of about $136,460 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,350 for the lowest 10% to over $211,930 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software architects in Virginia?
Employers hiring software architects in Virginia right now include Peraton, Blue Origin, and Redhorse Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means a significant share of these roles require candidates to hold or be eligible for a security clearance.
Which Virginia cities have the most software architect jobs?
Reston, Herndon, and Chantilly have the most software architect openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates due to the concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and the AWS headquarters presence, while Richmond draws openings from financial services firms and state government technology offices, and smaller suburban markets like Reston and Herndon contribute heavily through major IT consulting and government contracting hubs.
Are there remote software architect jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 75% of software architect openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based, design-heavy nature of the role. Fully remote positions are most common in cloud architecture and enterprise application design, while roles tied to classified federal programs or secure government facilities typically require on-site presence in Northern Virginia.
How can I get hired as a software architect in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an associate architect or senior software engineer role at one of Virginia's large federal contractors or technology firms, such as those concentrated in the Northern Virginia and Reston corridor. Many of these employers run structured associate programs that develop engineers into architects over two to three years. Building a portfolio of system design work, earning a cloud certification, and targeting roles with titles like solutions engineer or technical lead gives candidates a concrete edge without prior architect experience.
Where can I find and apply to software architect jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to software architect jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across Northern Virginia, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 18 Software Architect Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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