Senior Solution Architect (Chicago)
2 days ago
Chicago
The Senior Solution Architect (Consultant) is a strategic, client-facing technology leader responsible for designing innovative, scalable, and secure solutions that drive measurable business value. This role plays a critical part in business development and participates across all phases of proposal development, including solution estimation, resource planning, and shaping winning technical strategies for strategic client engagements. Operating with a strong consulting mindset, the Senior Solution Architect leads solutioning efforts across complex enterprise and client initiatives, balancing near-term delivery needs with long-term architectural integrity. This role serves as a confident advisor who thrives in ambiguity, communicates effectively with executive stakeholders, and consistently delivers high-impact results in fast-paced environments. Key Responsibilities Architecture & Solution Design • Design and deliver enterprise-grade architectures for complex initiatives ranging from $3M–$30M+, balancing short-term wins with long-term sustainability, often with incomplete or evolving inputs., • Maintain a big-picture architectural perspective while managing critical technical details to ensure alignment with enterprise strategy and business objectives., • Apply enterprise architecture principles (including TOGAF, Zachman, or equivalent frameworks) to guide structure, governance, and decision-making without being overly academic or process-heavy., • Drive end-to-end solutioning for complex client and internal initiatives, ensuring feasibility, scalability, and strategic alignment., • Lead solution estimation, defining LOE, scope, staffing models, timelines, assumptions, and risks., • Act as a trusted advisor, translating business requirements into actionable technical strategies., • Confidently recommend, defend, and communicate architectural decisions with clarity to executives, business leaders, and delivery teams., • Apply deep technical knowledge across backend, frontend, DevOps, infrastructure, and cloud platforms, with a strong focus on Microsoft technologies and hybrid/distributed environments., • Incorporate enterprise architecture governance, security standards, and regulatory compliance into solution designs., • Create and promote reusable components, templates, and reference architectures to accelerate delivery and ensure consistency., • Work closely with product owners, delivery teams, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful execution from design through implementation., • Support project and change management efforts to ensure smooth transitions into delivery., • Provide thought leadership and mentorship to peers and junior architects, fostering a culture of continuous learning and architectural excellence. Required Experience • 15–20+ years of enterprise technology experience, including significant experience in solution estimation and proposal development, preferably in a consulting, professional services, or digital agency environment., • Proven success leading complex initiatives valued at $3M–$30M+ across diverse industries and client environments., • Deep proficiency across backend, frontend, DevOps, infrastructure, and cloud platforms., • Strong experience with Microsoft technologies, including:, • Azure (networking, compute, data services), • Dataverse, • MS SQL, • Dynamics, • Power Platform (PowerApps, Power Automate), • Microsoft 365 (including accessibility considerations), • Hands-on experience with modern technology stacks, distributed systems, and integration strategies., • Exceptional ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and communicate effectively at executive levels., • Strategic mindset that connects enterprise vision with practical execution., • Confident decision-maker with the ability to mentor teams and build trusted client relationships., • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field., • Industry certifications (Azure, TOGAF, AWS, PMP, etc.)., • Experience with digital transformation and enterprise modernization., • Exposure to multiple industry verticals., • Published thought leadership or public speaking experience., • Strategic Solution Architecture, • Client Advisory & Innovation Leadership, • Proposal Development & Estimation, • Enterprise Integration & Platform Strategy, • Governance & Architecture Standards, • Technical Oversight & Delivery Assurance, • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Mentorship, • Risk Management & Trade-off Analysis, • Technology Roadmapping & Portfolio Planning, • Thought Leadership & Knowledge Enablement INT