Solutions Architect Jobs in District of Columbia
Solutions Architect jobs in District of Columbia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in federal IT modernization, defense contracting, and cybersecurity consulting across the Washington metro. The heaviest hiring happens in and around Washington D.C., Bethesda, and Arlington, where major employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and General Dynamics IT have long-standing presences. Cloud architecture, zero-trust security, and enterprise integration are the most in-demand specializations, with openings from mid-level to principal and staff seniority. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Summary
This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Office of the Chief Information Officer in Washington, DC. The incumbent produces architecture artifacts, develops candidate design patterns for senior review and enterprise adoption, and represents the division in cross-office and cross-agency architecture forums. The incumbent applies SBA reference architectures and standards, exercises initiative and resourcefulness in adapting guidance to new solution problems.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Duties
As a/an IT Specialist (Junior Solutions Architect) at theGS- 2210-12, some of your typical work assignments may include:
- Designs application, integration, data, and infrastructure components of moderately complex SBA IT solutions and produces architecture artifacts and decision records using SBA templates.
- Performs technical analysis for program office requirements, market research, and acquisition planning, and triages new solution requests including integration touchpoints and data classifications.
- Reviews submissions for the SBA architecture review board and performs quality assurance on architecture artifacts against SBA templates, standards, and traceability expectations.
- Represents the division with program office leads, contractors, and OCIO peers, and justifies architecture direction to skeptical stakeholders using structured analysis and enterprise standards.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen
- You must successfully complete a background investigation.
- You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Qualifications
GS-12: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector:
(1) Designing components of information technology solutions and producing architecture artifacts or decision records using established templates; and
(2) Performing technical analysis of technologies or new solution requests to support requirements or acquisition activities; and
(3) Reviewing information technology designs or artifacts against architecture, security, or quality standards and documenting findings; and
(4) Communicating and justifying technical recommendations in writing and orally to technical and program stakeholders.
These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications web site:
Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Generally, time in Non-Pay status as a federal employee is not creditable towards the specialized experience requirement listed above.
All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 11/23/2026.
Education
There is no education substitution for this grade level.
Additional information
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments
Career and InterAgency Career Transition Assistance Programs: Are programs that applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job in their current agency (intra-agency, i.e. SBA employees only).
Inter-Agency Career Transition Assistance (ICTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (inter-agency; i.e. not applying to their current or former agency).
You are eligible for CTAP/ICTAP if:
1. You are a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee meaning you have received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).
2. Your agency, or the agency to which you are applying, is accepting applications from within or outside of the permanent workforce.
3. The position to which you are applying MUST BE in the Local Commuting Area of the position of record from which you are being displaced.
4. You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job for which you are applying. This includes being rated as well-qualified for the position (score of 85 or better based on your responses to the competencies and associated questions listed within the assessment).
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants meeting basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on additional assessments. One of these assessment is USA Hire. Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Your USA Hire assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
The assessments relate to the following Competencies required to do the work of this position:
- Information Technology Architecture
- Requirements Analysis
- Quality Assurance
- Influencing/Negotiating
The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method based on your assessments. You will receive a score based on the responses to the assessment questions. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. If you meet basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
1. Best-Qualified: highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, education, and training as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
2. Well-Qualified: competent in the position with an overall accomplished level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, training, and education as applicable, as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
3. Qualified: an overall basic level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, education, and training, as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet Minimum Qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.
Required Documents
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date/time of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJOBs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
1. Your Resume must not include photographs. Resume length may not exceed 2 pages and must contain the following information:
- Name, address, telephone number, email address;
- Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
- If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
- If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
- PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. You must address the specific specialized experience required for each grade level of this position on your resume or application or you will be rated "Ineligible" for that grade level.
- Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.
2. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the occupational questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms, if applicable. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all documents are legible:
- If you are using education as a substitution for experience (the announcement will state whether this is allowed), or if there is an educational requirement for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) that clearly describes your qualifying education. If selected, official transcripts will be required; If you are claiming Veteran status, you must submit a copy of all required documents to support your claim (e.g.: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA disability letter)
- -see VetGuide;
- Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD-214 (showing the character of service) or other proof of service to receive consideration for veterans' preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit FedsHireVets.gov.
- CTAP/ICTAP/RPL Applicants: Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (if applicable), your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330, and your most recent performance appraisal.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions will affect your rating. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements
6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov/
All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
Agency contact information
409 3rd Street SW
Suite 4000
Washington, DC 20416
US
Next steps
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period (depending on type of appointment authority) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of this period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Telework may be available. For information on Telework visit: http://www.telework.gov/ - Consistent with work requirements and current SBA Policy, and all applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement with AFGE the SBA offers employees opportunities to perform work at an alternative location (e.g. home).
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement if additional vacancies occur within 180 days of the date the certificates were issued.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For additional information visit www.sss.gov.
Overview
- 2210 Information Technology Management
- Suitability/Fitness
See All 39 Solutions Architect Jobs in District of Columbia
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Solutions Architect Job Market in District of Columbia
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What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in solutions architect jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active security clearance required for many federal and defense-sector solutions architect roles
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a closely related technical field
- Professional cloud certification such as AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, or Google Cloud Professional
- Five or more years of experience designing and implementing large-scale enterprise architecture solutions
- Demonstrated experience with federal agency IT environments, FedRAMP, or NIST security frameworks
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting architecture decisions to senior stakeholders
Solutions Architect Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a solutions architect in District of Columbia?
Solutions architect is not a state-licensed profession in District of Columbia, so there is no licensing board or registration exam required. Most employers in the D.C. market expect a bachelor's degree in a technical field combined with recognized cloud or enterprise architecture certifications. Because federal contracting dominates the local market, obtaining a security clearance early and gaining familiarity with government IT frameworks like NIST and FedRAMP significantly strengthens a candidate's profile.
Which companies hire solutions architects in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring solutions architects in District of Columbia right now include Peraton, Filevine, and Defense Unicorns, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The D.C. market is especially active among federal systems integrators and defense contractors, which consistently maintain large solutions architect teams to support agency modernization programs.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most solutions architect jobs?
The cities with the most solutions architect openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington D.C. anchors the market as the seat of federal agencies, while Bethesda and Arlington draw heavily from the dense concentration of defense contractors and consulting firms that cluster along the I-270 and Rosslyn-Ballston corridors to stay close to their government clients.
Are there remote solutions architect jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many technical roles. About 67% of solutions architect openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves design, documentation, and cloud platform configuration rather than on-site hardware. Federal and cleared positions are the main exception, as those contracts frequently require work to be performed at a classified or government facility.
How can I get hired as a solutions architect in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a cloud or systems engineering role at one of the large federal IT contractors in the D.C. metro, such as Leidos, SAIC, or Peraton, which regularly hire associate or junior engineers and promote from within. Earning an entry-level cloud certification and applying for IT analyst, systems engineer, or infrastructure engineer positions builds the experience base employers expect. Programs like Booz Allen Hamilton's NextGen Hire and government-adjacent IT apprenticeships funded through D.C. Apprenticeship programs also provide structured on-ramps for candidates without direct architecture experience.
Where can I find and apply to solutions architect jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to solutions architect jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the D.C. metro and across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 39 Solutions Architect Jobs in District of Columbia
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