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Principal Systems Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Systems Architect, Principal

Reston, VA · On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a Systems Architect Principal to join our national intelligence program in Northern Virginia as the primary visionary and strategist to transition the client ...

Peraton

Systems Architect, Principal

Reston, VA · On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking a Systems Architect Principal to join our national intelligence program in Northern Virginia as the primary visionary and strategist to transition the client ...

ARM

Principal Systems Architect - AGI CPU

Austin, TX · On-site

$249K - $338K/yr

Systems Solutions Architect will work with partners in the ecosystem to define system definition to drive growth and adoption of Arm Silicon and technologies for key cloud, AI and data-center ...

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How much do principal systems architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal systems architect in the United States is $138,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal systems architect?

A Principal Systems Architect is a senior-level technical role responsible for designing and overseeing complex IT systems and infrastructure. They define technical standards, system architectures, and integration strategies to meet business objectives. This role requires deep expertise in software, hardware, networking, and cloud technologies, along with leadership skills to guide teams. Principal Systems Architects collaborate with stakeholders to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency in system designs.

What are some common challenges faced by principal systems architects, and how are they addressed?

Principal Systems Architects often face the challenge of bridging the gap between complex technical requirements and evolving business needs. This can involve managing competing stakeholder priorities, ensuring system scalability, and integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure. Successful architects address these challenges by maintaining open communication with cross-functional teams, leveraging established architectural frameworks, and employing robust planning and documentation processes. Team collaboration and ongoing professional development are also crucial for staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining effective, future-proof solutions in dynamic environments.

What does a principal systems architect do?

A principal systems architect designs and oversees complex IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring they meet organizational needs and technical standards. They analyze requirements, develop architecture strategies, and collaborate with engineering teams, often using tools like cloud platforms and modeling frameworks. This role typically requires extensive experience in systems design, strong technical skills, and leadership abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal systems architect?

To excel as a Principal Systems Architect, you need deep expertise in systems design, enterprise architecture, and solution integration, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with architectural frameworks (like TOGAF or Zachman), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect) is highly valued. Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities set outstanding professionals apart. These competencies enable architects to design robust, scalable systems while aligning technical solutions with business goals across large organizations.

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Principal Systems Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Systems Architect job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,022 per year, or $66.4 per hour.

Systems Architect, Principal

Peraton

Reston, VA • On-site

$146K - $234K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 224 rated it services

Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a Systems Architect Principal to join our national intelligence program in Northern Virginia as the primary visionary and strategist to transition the client's Enterprise IT Infrastructure to a cutting edge resilient, scalable and self-healing Infrastructure environment.

Responsibilities: Define the multi-year architectural vision for enterprise infrastructure services such as compute, storage, network, security, and cloud services. Define technical standards, system architectures, and integration strategies to meet business objectives. Collaborate with industry partners to define and advance the autonomous infrastructure system vision Lead the shift toward cloud-native architectures while optimizing on-premises edge computing and private cloud footprints. Apply Digital Engineering principles to streamline service delivery. Implement automated provisioning, monitoring, and incident response frameworks. Drive initiatives to monitor and reduce cloud consumption costs and technical debt. Translate complex technical requirements into business outcomes for executive

****Travel may be required within the National Capital Region (NCR) on an as needed basis for customer or corporate requirements. 

**Note This is for a Proposal Effort**

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: Active Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with ability to obtain a Poly Clearance. Minimum of 16 years relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, 14 years relavant experience with a Masters.  4 years experience may be substituted for a Degree.

12+ years of experience in IT Infrastructure, with at least 5 years in a dedicated Senior or Principal Architecture role. Proven track record of delivering complex, high-impact solutions. Excellent ability to translate strategic intent into concrete technical designs and inspire teams to innovate while maintaining rigorous engineering standards.

Preferred Qualifications: Active TS/SCI with Poly clearances. Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect, CISSP, TOGAF/SAFE, ITIL v 4.0 Foundations

SECURITY CLEARANCE: This Position requires an Active TS/SCI and the ability to obtain a Poly, US Citizenship is required to hold this clearance.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017

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