What you’ll do:
- Discovery & design: Lead technical discovery, clarify requirements, map current→target state, and produce lean but complete architecture docs (diagrams, ADRs, integration contracts).
- Hands-on solutioning: Define service boundaries, APIs, data models, and cloud infrastructure (IaC). Review code/PRs when it matters.
- Delivery guidance: Set non-functional/quality attributes (security, performance, reliability, cost). Unblock teams, run technical spikes, and own the “how” on critical paths.
- Client communication: Run workshops, present trade-offs, and translate tech to business outcomes. Be the trusted technical voice in the room.
- Governance: Keep solutions aligned to standards, security, and budget; raise risks early with options.
- Pre-sales support: Shape solution approaches and estimates; contribute to RFP/RFI/RFQ responses and client presentations.
What you bring:
- 6–10+ years in software engineering/architecture, including 2–4+ years as a Solution/Systems Architect or Tech Lead.
- Technical breadth: Comfortable across modern web stacks (e.g. having experience with at least one of: Java/Node/Python/.NET + SPA frameworks), APIs, integrations, and data modeling.
- Cloud fluency: Comfortable delivering architectures across (e.g. having Architect experience with at least one of: AWS/Azure/GCP while being able to navigate others); comfort with IaC, CI/CD, observability, and cost/perf trade-offs.
- Architecture methodologies/styles: Monoliths (Modular/Distributed), Service-based & microservices, caching, authN/Z, and secure design principles.
- Data basics: Practical relational and NoSQL modeling, ETL/ELT patterns, and how analytics fits (warehouses/lakes).
- Communication: Clear writing, crisp audience-focused diagrams, confident client facilitation.
Nice to have:
- Pre-sales track record (RFP/RFI/RFQ writing, scoping, estimation, SOW inputs).
- Experience with DevSecOps practices, cost optimization, and performance tuning.
- Exposure to AI/ML or search/RAG integrations; data governance/quality.
- Leading small squads and mentoring engineers/other architects.
Top Skills
What We Do
Insomniac Design is an award-winning digital creative agency founded in 1999, based in D.C.’s historic Blagden Alley. We’re an agile, nimble and innovative team organized by functional areas of expertise — Creative, Technology, Strategy, and Management. With offices in the U.S. and Europe, we’re a global team with diverse experience and cultural backgrounds who consistently strive for excellence. We specialize in human-centered design — with projects and work that includes complex web and mobile builds, digital transformation, branding, visual design, content, video and creative services.
We’ve worked in the areas of policy, advocacy, government, foundations, commercial brands, and more — with clients like Brand USA, UNICEF, The World Bank, World Health Organization, Amnesty International, BBC Worldwide, National Endowment for the Arts, Lufthansa Airlines, Adobe, and Google. Insomniac Design’s work has won numerous awards such as W3 Awards, Communicator Awards, and the AIB awards. Beyond the U.S., our work in Asia and Africa has been featured in news and media around the world.
