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Principal Systems Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Systems Architect, Principal

Reston, VA

$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 ...

campus4tech

Principal Systems Engineer

Shoreview, MN · On-site

Principal Systems Engineer Location: Shoreview, MN Travel: Quarterly travel to Austin, TX (approx ... Architect, design, develop, test and transfer to production electromechanical systems and ...

Flex

OR · On-site

$153K - $211K/yr

... Principal Systems Engineer located in San Jose, CA (remote) Reporting to the Director, Field ... Interface with external (senior engineering, systems, architect roles) and internal (CTO, R&D, ...

Flex Ltd.

Principal Systems Engineer

Middle River, MD · On-site +1

$153K - $211K/yr

... Principal Systems Engineer located in San Jose, CA (remote) Reporting to the Director, Field ... Interface with external (senior engineering, systems, architect roles) and internal (CTO, R&D, ...

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Principal Systems Architect information

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How much do principal systems architect jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 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 the highest salary for a System Architect?

The highest salaries for Principal Systems Architects can exceed $150,000 to $200,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in cloud platforms, enterprise architecture, or specialized technologies. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and company size, with senior roles often including bonuses and stock options.

What is a Principal Systems Architect job?

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 in this role?

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 System Architect do?

A Principal Systems Architect designs and oversees complex IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical standards. They analyze system needs, develop architecture frameworks, and collaborate with engineering teams, often utilizing tools like UML and cloud platforms, while providing technical leadership and strategic guidance.

How much does a principal systems architect make at Lockheed Martin?

A principal systems architect at Lockheed Martin typically earns between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific project responsibilities. The role often requires advanced technical skills, security clearances, and experience with systems engineering and design tools.

What is the salary of a principal architect in the US?

A principal systems architect in the US typically earns between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on experience, industry, location, and company size, and the role usually requires advanced technical skills and leadership experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Principal Systems Architect position, and why are they important?

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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, 25% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,022 per year, or $66.4 per hour.
Systems Architect, Principal

Systems Architect, Principal

Peraton

Reston, VA

$146K - $234K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 204 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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