Principal Platform Architect

Posted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Reston, VA, USA
In-Office
154K-232K Annually
Expert/Leader
Cloud • Information Technology • Software • Business Intelligence
The Role
Leads enterprise Azure platform architecture, cloud modernization, infrastructure automation, DevOps, and DevSecOps engagements. Designs secure landing zones, governance frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, GitHub platforms, Kubernetes environments, and Infrastructure-as-Code solutions using Terraform, Bicep, and ARM templates. Advises executives and engineering teams, leads architecture workshops, supports pre-sales, mentors technical staff, and oversees complex customer transformations from strategy through implementation.
Summary Generated by Built In
Why AIS?

When you join AIS, you’re joining a mission-driven team that’s passionate about making a difference. You’ll work on projects that matter, alongside industry-leading experts, in an environment that fosters innovation, driving client success, and empowering our team to make a lasting impact. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, inclusivity, continuous growth, and shared success.

  • Employee Ownership: Your contributions directly impact the company’s success, and you share in its achievements.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to resources, training, and mentorship to support your professional growth.

  • Inclusive Culture: A workplace where diversity is celebrated, and everyone’s voice is valued.

  • Mission-Driven Work: Engage in projects that make a meaningful difference for our clients and communities.

 

What are we looking for?

At AIS, we're looking for more than just skills - we're looking for driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and aligned with our core principles.

 

Working@AIS
At AIS, we are dedicated to providing our employees with diverse opportunities to grow their careers while supporting a variety of impactful projects. For this position, we are seeking a talented individual to join AIS as a Senior Infrastructure Architect.
  • Core Knowledge & Skills: Sets enterprise‑level infrastructure strategy; leads global architectures and integrations; manages worldwide environments; is recognized externally as a thought leader.

  • Work & Complexity: Oversees multi‑region programs, coordinates global delivery, applies analytics to predict/mitigate issues, and steers strategic vendor partnerships.

  • Quality & Independence: Establishes visionary, organization‑wide standards; ensures excellence on large‑scale initiatives; drives sustainable, future‑ready practices with full autonomy.

  • Teamwork & Communication: Leads enterprise communication of strategy, aligns global stakeholders, mentors next‑generation leaders, and represents the organization in industry forums.

  • Consulting & Engagement: Advises executives on strategy and vision, expands external offerings and partnerships, and shapes long‑term technology direction and market influence.

As your initial project assignment, you will support the unique needs of our client as a Principal Platform Architect. Project Summary

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we help organizations accelerate their digital transformation by delivering modern cloud, infrastructure, security, and platform engineering solutions built on Microsoft technologies. We are seeking a Principal Platform Architect to lead the design, implementation, modernization, and optimization of enterprise platforms across Microsoft Azure, GitHub, DevOps, and DevSecOps.

This is a hands-on consulting role where you will architect, build, deploy, govern, and optimize enterprise solutions while serving as a trusted advisor to customers. You will work directly with client engineering, operations, and product teams to implement secure, scalable, and automated platforms, mentor technical teams, and lead complex transformation engagements from strategy through delivery.

T

he ideal candidate is passionate about building solutions as much as designing them. You are equally comfortable leading executive architecture workshops, writing Infrastructure-as-Code, implementing GitHub Actions, automating cloud deployments, building governance models, and solving complex platform engineering and DevSecOps challenges.

Key Responsibilities

 

Platform Architecture & Engineering

  • Design, build, and implement secure, scalable Microsoft Azure infrastructure and platform solutions.

  • Lead cloud migration, modernization, and hybrid infrastructure engagements.

  • Develop and implement Azure Landing Zones, governance frameworks, and operational standards.

  • Design resilient, highly available, and secure cloud architectures.

  • Develop Infrastructure-as-Code using Terraform, Bicep, and ARM templates.

  • Build reusable automation frameworks, deployment accelerators, and operational tooling.

  • Configure, optimize, and troubleshoot Azure networking, compute, storage, identity, monitoring, and security services.

  • Participate in hands-on implementation throughout the project lifecycle.​

GitHub, DevOps & Platform Engineering

  • Design and implement enterprise DevOps platforms using GitHub Enterprise, GitHub Actions, and Azure DevOps.

DevSecOps & Security

  • Integrate security throughout the software development lifecycle.

  • Implement GitHub Advanced Security, code scanning, secret scanning, dependency management, and vulnerability remediation.

  • Design and implement identity and access management solutions using Microsoft Entra ID.

  • Implement policy-as-code, security automation, and compliance controls.

  • Configure Azure Key Vault, privileged access management, and secrets management.

  • Ensure solutions align with Microsoft security best practices and industry compliance requirements.

Consulting & Customer Leadership

  • Lead technical discovery sessions, architecture workshops, and solution design engagements.

  • Translate business objectives into practical technical solutions and implementation roadmaps.

  • Serve as the primary technical advisor throughout project delivery.

  • Present architecture recommendations and delivery roadmaps to executive and technical stakeholders.

  • Mentor client engineering teams and provide technical knowledge transfer.

  • Support pre-sales activities including solution architecture, technical proposals, estimations, and proof-of-concepts.

Technical Leadership

  • Provide technical leadership across multiple client engagements.

  • Mentor architects, consultants, and engineers.

  • Establish engineering standards, reusable patterns, and delivery best practices.

  • Conduct architecture and code reviews.

  • Evaluate emerging Microsoft technologies and recommend adoption strategies.

  • Contribute to the growth of our Microsoft practice through innovation, solution development, and technical enablement.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

  • 10+ years of experience in infrastructure, cloud, platform engineering, or enterprise architecture.

  • 5+ years designing and implementing Microsoft Azure solutions.

  • Experience leading enterprise cloud modernization and digital transformation initiatives.

  • Azure DevOps to GitHub migration experience is a plus, including repository migration, pipeline transition to GitHub Actions, permissions/governance, branching strategies, and developer workflow adoption.

  • Experience working within a Microsoft partner, consulting, or professional services organization.

  • Proven success leading customer-facing technical engagements.

  • Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation.

  • Implement GitHub Advanced Security, repository governance, branching strategies, and developer workflows.

  • Design platform engineering solutions that improve developer productivity and self-service capabilities.

  • Automate infrastructure and application deployments across multiple environments.

  • Establish enterprise DevOps standards and best practices. 

Required For This Opportunity

Microsoft Azure

  • Azure Landing Zones

  • Azure Virtual Networks, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway

  • Azure Compute, Storage, Backup, Site Recovery

  • Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Azure Policy

  • Azure Firewall, Application Gateway, Private Link

  • Microsoft Entra ID and identity services

  • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

GitHub & DevOps

  • GitHub Enterprise Cloud and Server

  • GitHub Actions

  • GitHub Advanced Security

  • Azure DevOps

  • CI/CD pipeline architecture

  • Release automation

  • Git workflows and repository governance

  • Platform engineering

  • Azure DevOps to GitHub migration planning and execution, including repos, CI/CD pipelines, release workflows, security controls, and team enablement.

  • Terraform

  • Bicep

  • ARM Templates

  • PowerShell

  • Azure CLI

  • Bash or Python scripting

DevSecOps & Security

  • Secure SDLC

  • Zero Trust architecture

  • Identity and Access Management (IAM)

  • Secrets management

  • Vulnerability management

  • Policy-as-Code

  • Compliance automation

  • Security governance

  • Containers & Cloud Native

  • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

  • Docker

  • Kubernetes

  • Helm

  • GitOps methodologies

Certifications

Candidates should possess, or be willing to obtain within six months of hire, the following certifications:

Required

  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)

  • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)

  • GitHub Foundations

  • GitHub Actions

  • GitHub Advanced Security

  • HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate

Preferred

  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)

  • Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)

  • Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate (SC-401 or successor)

  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

  • TOGAF Foundation or Certified

  • ITIL Foundation

  • Migration experience from Azure DevOps to GitHub Enterprise and GitHub Actions is strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

  • Lead enterprise cloud transformation engagements from strategy through implementation.

  • Build secure, scalable, and automated Azure platforms.

  • Deliver modern DevOps and DevSecOps capabilities using GitHub Enterprise.

  • Improve developer productivity through platform engineering and automation.

  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor to enterprise customers.

  • Mentor engineering teams and promote technical excellence.

  • Strengthen our Microsoft practice by delivering innovative, high-quality solutions and exceptional client outcomes.

Why Join Us

  • Work on complex enterprise transformation initiatives with leading organizations.

  • Collaborate with Microsoft engineering teams and leverage the latest Microsoft technologies.

  • Influence technical strategy and solution delivery across a diverse client portfolio.

  • Help customers modernize responsibly by combining technical excellence with secure, automated Azure architecture and operating models.

  • Join a collaborative, high-performing consulting team that values innovation, continuous learning, and technical excellence.

At AIS, we are committed to offering competitive and fair compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and contributions of each team member. The targeted base salary range for this role is $154,000-$232,000 per year. Please note that this range is provided as a guideline and the final offer will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, skillset and competencies, level of experience, education, certifications, and location. We value transparency in our hiring process and are happy to discuss how your unique qualifications align with our compensation structure during the interview process.

Applied Information Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
  • 10+ years of experience in infrastructure, cloud, platform engineering, or enterprise architecture
  • 5+ years designing and implementing Microsoft Azure solutions
  • Experience leading enterprise cloud modernization and digital transformation initiatives
  • Experience working within a Microsoft partner, consulting, or professional services organization
  • Proven success leading customer-facing technical engagements
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation
  • Implement GitHub Advanced Security, repository governance, branching strategies, and developer workflows
  • Design platform engineering solutions that improve developer productivity and self-service capabilities
  • Automate infrastructure and application deployments across multiple environments
  • Establish enterprise DevOps standards and best practices
  • Azure DevOps to GitHub migration experience, including repository migration, pipeline transition, permissions, governance, branching strategies, and workflow adoption
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
  • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)
  • GitHub Foundations certification
  • GitHub Actions certification
  • GitHub Advanced Security certification
  • HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)
  • Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)
  • Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate (SC-401 or successor)
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • TOGAF Foundation or Certified
  • ITIL Foundation

AIS (Applied Information Sciences) Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AIS (Applied Information Sciences) and has not been reviewed or approved by AIS (Applied Information Sciences).

  • Equity Value & Accessibility Employee ownership via an ESOP is emphasized and contributes meaningful long‑term value to total rewards. Equity participation is positioned as a core part of the package.
  • Retirement Support A 401(k) with employer match is consistently described alongside the ESOP. Together these programs are framed as key pillars of financial benefits.
  • Healthcare Strength Multiple medical plan choices, plus dental and vision, are highlighted as part of a comprehensive offering. Health coverage is paired with PTO and paid holidays to round out the package.

AIS (Applied Information Sciences) Insights

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The Company
HQ: Reston, VA
710 Employees
Year Founded: 1982

What We Do

AIS (Applied Information Sciences) provides software and systems engineering services to government agencies and businesses across the United States. We specialize in cloud services, DevOps, custom application development, and IT services. Our areas of expertise include custom application development, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Office 365, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, User Experience (UX), business intelligence/advanced analytics and IoT, and Managed Services. Our customers include a broad range of organizations, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, and include state and local governments as well as defense and national security agencies. Our analysis-driven approach to solving business problems—combined with our commitment to deadlines and budgets—results in successful projects and long-term relationships with our clients. We're a top-tier cloud partner for Microsoft, Amazon and Equinix with proven capabilities and a track record of success. AIS is a Microsoft gold partner with six competencies ​and a Microsoft National Solution Provider (NSP). From over 750,000 Microsoft partners, there are less than 50 partners that have been selected for inclusion​ in the NSP organization. Microsoft chooses partners for this program that have proven capabilities to scale to the needs of large enterprises across the United States. Founded in 1982, AIS is a growing and privately held company headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with offices in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and India. Check out our opportunities at careers.ais.com.

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