Principal Solution Architect (Manager)

About the role

The Lead/Principal Solution Architect (Manager) is responsible for leading a team of solution architects within Presidio's AI Solutions organization while remaining a hands-on technical leader on complex, high-impact engagements. This people-leader role manages 4 direct reports, sets architectural direction, and personally contributes to the most strategic customer and solution opportunities across the portfolio. The role works closely with the VP of Solutions Engineering, Engineering leads, Product Management, Field Sales, and customers to ensure architectural consistency, technical excellence, and team development. This role translates business strategy into architectural direction, develops team capability, and serves as a trusted technical advisor on Presidio's most important AI engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the solution architecture team, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of 4 direct reports.
• Set architectural direction, standards, and best practices for AI solution designs across the portfolio.
• Serve as a hands-on technical leader on complex, high-impact customer engagements and solution opportunities.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, and Sales leadership to align architectural priorities with business objectives.
• Review and approve solution architectures, technical proposals, and design decisions for major engagements.
• Mentor and coach solution architects to elevate technical and consultative capabilities across the team.
• Drive architectural governance, reference architectures, and reusable solution patterns.
• Stay current on AI/ML technologies, cloud platforms, and industry trends to inform architectural strategy.
• Represent Presidio in customer executive briefings, industry events, and technical forums.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in solution architecture, technical pre-sales, or related roles, with 3-5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience designing AI/ML solutions and architectures for enterprise customers.
• Deep familiarity with cloud hyperscaler platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) and their AI/ML service portfolios.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field — or equivalent experience.

Skills

Technology/Area of Specialization

• Deep familiarity with AI/ML platforms, frameworks, and architectures including model training, inference, and MLOps patterns.
• Deep familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their AI/ML service portfolios.
• Familiarity with modern application, data, and integration architectures.
• Familiarity with solution architecture methodologies including TOGAF and modern architectural patterns.

Basic Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong technical leadership and people management skills; ability to coach, develop, and elevate architects.
• Excellent communication and executive presence; ability to represent Presidio in senior technical forums.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business priorities into architectural direction.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to influence across Engineering, Product, Sales, and customer teams.
• Customer-centric mindset with deep empathy for customer outcomes and adoption journeys.
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Competencies Required

• Technical Expertise
• Leadership and Influence
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication Excellence
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Customer Focus

Physical Requirements

This role primarily involves working in an office or hybrid environment with extended periods of desk-based computer work. Travel is approximately 20%, primarily to customer sites, Presidio offices, and industry events. Regular participation in virtual customer meetings, technical workshops, and on-site architectural reviews is expected.

About Presidio

Presidio is a trusted ally for organizations across industries with a decades-long history of building traditional IT foundations and deep expertise in AI and automation, security, networking, digital transformation, and cloud computing. Presidio fills gaps, removes hurdles, optimizes costs, and reduces risk. Presidio's expert technical team develops custom applications, provides managed services, and enables actionable data insights and builds forward-thinking solutions that drive strategic outcomes for clients globally.