Overview:
Planned Systems International (PSI) is currently seeking a Senior Solution Architect to support the Compensation & Pension (C&P) Product Line at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as a member of the Benefits and Memorials (BAM) PMO Support Team. The Senior Solution Architect will provide technical leadership, architecture design, and strategic planning support for software development and sustainment projects within the C&P Product Line. They will be responsible for guiding the end-to-end design of cloud-based enterprise systems in a SAFe Agile environment. They will also lead development and documentation of system designs, interface specifications, and data models using VA-approved tools and repositories. This position requires strong communication and writing skills to collaborate with VA stakeholders and document complex technical concepts clearly and effectively.
Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities:
- Lead detailed system design activities, including the development of system, data, process, and interface specifications
- Translate requirements into architectural blueprints that align with VA enterprise standards
- Guide cloud-based development efforts and provide technical oversight of cloud projects
- Apply Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies in design, planning, and execution
- Provide architecture and release planning support in collaboration with VA Product Managers
- Manage and maintain architecture documentation in VA-approved repositories
- Contribute to strategic planning, risk management, schedule development, and change/configuration management
- Support requirements elicitation and traceability.
- Lead release planning activities and security architecture review.
- Participate in backlog grooming, sprint planning, and agile ceremonies.
- Coordinate with VA stakeholders to realign priorities and adjust delivery timelines as needed.
- Draft and maintain high-quality documentation and deliverables.
- Support and contribute to product management activities, including feature prioritization, backlog grooming, and stakeholder engagement.
- Support strategic planning and analysis efforts, aligning project tasks with long-term product goals and VA mission needs.
- Lead change and configuration management tasks in accordance with VA policy and governance processes.
- Support schedule planning and progress tracking activities.
- Maintain and update Jira boards and dashboards; ensure timely and accurate reporting of tasks and metrics.
- Serve as the primary point of coordination with the VA Product Manager, adjusting priorities and deliverables as directed.
- Contribute to high-quality written documentation, presentations, and deliverables that convey complex technical and programmatic information clearly and concisely.
- Conduct research on special topics and recommend solutions to government clients.
- Stay up to date with VA policy, industry trends, and advancements in program management and software development.
- Facilitate executive-level virtual meetings, including preparing meeting agendas, capturing minutes, and tracking outcomes and action items.
- Work proactively and independently to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
- Function as part of an integrated team sharing products, best practices, and information across the PMO Support Team.
- Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Experience in IT project management with a focus on solution architecture.
- Experience in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or VA’s cloud environments)
- Strong experience implementing Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) practices
- Experience with enterprise architecture tools and repositories
- Deep knowledge of systems engineering principles, requirements management, and release planning
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and interface directly with senior government stakeholders
- Familiarity with Jira and Confluence for task tracking, reporting, and knowledge management.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to self-organize, balance workload, complete tasks on time (without reminders), proactively seek out assignments, and offer improvements to client delivery.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Professional Certifications:
- SAFe certification (e.g., SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist)
- PMP
Required Technical/Business Tools:
- Cloud technology tools
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
- MS SharePoint
- MS Visio
- Jira or comparable development management tool
Required Technical/Business Tools Experience
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working as a federal contractor or employee
- Ability to effectively communicate in English, including talking and hearing.
- Ability to operate productively in a fully remote work environment, including the ability to take meetings and phone calls from a quiet and private space during business hours.
- Ability and willingness to actively participate in virtual meetings throughout most of the workday and be responsive to messages (MS Teams) and emails (MS Outlook) within reasonable timeframes set by the supervisor or client.
- Ability to be responsive and working during Eastern time zone standard business hours (8:00am to 4:00pm EST).
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Ability to satisfy security clearance and onboarding requirements:
- Print, sign, scan, and return onboarding documentation.
- Travel at personal expense to nearest government facility to get fingerprinted, apply for a PIV badge, pick-up the PIV badge, and pick-up government equipment.
PSI offers full-time, benefits eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave, and options for employer sponsored group medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D coverage, legal services, identity theft, and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health saving account options offer pre-tax savings for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. The company sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. We invest in the professional growth of our employees through professional courses, certifications, and tuition reimbursement programs.
EEO Commitment:
It is company policy to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination, are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources by emailing [email protected], or by dialing 703-575-8400.
Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources by emailing [email protected], or by dialing 703-575-8400.
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