ICF is seeking an experienced Lead Application Architect to define and guide the end-to-end architecture for mission-critical systems supporting Federal land management agencies, including USFS, USDA, DOI, and BLM. This role provides technical leadership across engineering teams, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with modern cloud-based architectures and Federal security requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep experience designing enterprise systems, establishing technical standards, and guiding development teams to deliver interoperable, high-performing platforms that support complex operational and mission workflows.
Job Location: This position requires that the job be performed in the United States. If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections.
You may be asked to travel once a quarter to an office.
Our core work hours are 10am - 4pm Eastern Time with the option to start earlier or work later depending on your time zone.
What You Will Do:
Define and maintain the overall solution architecture, technical standards, and reference architectures supporting mission-critical systems.
Lead architectural design decisions across multiple development teams to ensure scalable, secure, and maintainable system solutions.
Establish integration patterns, API strategies, and interoperability approaches that support enterprise data exchange and mission workflows.
Ensure system designs meet nonfunctional requirements including performance, availability, scalability, and reliability.
Guide engineering teams in implementing cloud-native architectures (primarily Azure, with AWS familiarity a plus) using modern development and microservices-based approaches.
Align architecture and system designs with Federal security and compliance requirements, including ATO processes and associated controls.
Conduct architecture reviews, technical governance activities, and design evaluations to ensure alignment with enterprise standards.
Identify modernization opportunities and lead initiatives to reduce technical debt while improving system maintainability and performance.
Mentor engineers and technical leads, promoting architecture best practices and continuous technical improvement across teams.
What You Will Bring With You:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field.
12+ years of experience in software engineering, systems engineering, or solution architecture roles.
At least 5 years of experience serving as a lead architect or senior technical architect guiding enterprise system architecture decisions.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States.
What We Would Like You To Bring With You:
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical discipline.
Architecture or cloud certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, or TOGAF.
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-level architectures supporting complex systems and integrations.
Experience designing solutions within cloud environments (Azure preferred; AWS familiarity a plus).
Experience aligning system architecture with Federal security requirements and supporting compliance frameworks such as ATO processes.
Experience supporting Federal agencies, particularly land management or environmental mission organizations.
Experience designing microservices-based architectures and enterprise integration frameworks.
Familiarity with geospatial systems, environmental data platforms, or mission-support applications used in land management or wildfire operations.
Experience leading modernization initiatives involving legacy system transformation to cloud-native architectures.
Professional Skills:
Strong technical leadership and architectural decision-making capabilities across complex system environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical architecture concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to lead cross-team technical collaboration and guide engineering teams through complex design decisions.
Ability to balance mission needs, technical constraints, and long-term architectural sustainability in fast-paced Agile delivery environments.
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Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$131,256.00 - $223,134.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field
- 12+ years of experience in software engineering, systems engineering, or solution architecture roles
- At least 5 years of experience serving as a lead architect or senior technical architect
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
ICF Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ICF and has not been reviewed or approved by ICF.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage start on day one with multiple plan options, employer HSA/HRA funding, and company‑paid mental‑health care that includes 10 therapy and 10 coaching sessions annually. These features indicate comprehensive coverage with meaningful mental‑health depth.
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Parental & Family Support — Family‑building and caregiving support include 24/7 specialists and reimbursements ($10,000 lifetime for fertility/surrogacy and $5,000 for adoption), alongside inclusive paid parental leave. These resources broaden support for diverse family needs.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) offers immediate vesting with a company match up to 4% when contributing 5%, and an ESPP provides an additional ownership avenue. This structure supports long‑term financial security.
ICF Insights
What We Do
ICF is a leading global solutions and technology provider with approximately 9,000 employees in industries across the public and private sectors. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.
Why Work With Us
At ICF, we’ve built a culture rooted in expertise, innovation, and purpose—enabling us to build a more prosperous and resilient world for all. When our employees grow, our solutions thrive—regardless of your role, team, or location, you’ll have opportunities to make connections, build community, and take action to develop your career.
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