Software Solution Architect Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

KIBO is a registered United States company dedicated to providing governments worldwide its services of inspection, analysis, certification, and compliance.
KIBO is seeking an experienced Software Solution Architect to help shape the technology foundation of a high-impact customs-modernization program.
In this role, you will define the technical architecture that brings together customs-system integrations, port-community data, internal verification and risk-management tools, secure field-to-headquarters data flows, and future digital single-window capabilities.
You will work across engineering, data science, customs operations, field teams, government stakeholders, and program leadership to translate complex requirements into practical, secure, and scalable solutions. Your architecture will guide delivery, promote interoperability, strengthen auditability and resilience, and support the program's long-term business and government objectives.
This is an opportunity to influence a national-scale technology platform during its build-out phase and establish the standards that will guide its future growth.
Key Responsibilities
Define the Solution Architecture and Roadmap
Develop and maintain the architecture for KIBO's customs-assurance technology ecosystem. Ensure that integrations, applications, data flows, and platform capabilities support current program goals while creating a strong foundation for the future digital single-window roadmap.
Design Clear, Actionable Architecture
Produce architectural blueprints, system diagrams, interface designs, technical standards, and implementation guidance that engineering and delivery teams can use effectively.
Lead Systems Integration Strategy
Design secure and maintainable integration patterns for the national customs system, including ASYCUDA/SYDONIA, port-community data sources, external trade-data services, and government systems.
The program follows an integrate-not-replace approach, requiring thoughtful architecture that enhances existing systems while preserving operational continuity.
Translate Stakeholder Needs into Technical Solutions
Partner with customs authorities, port stakeholders, headquarters teams, vendors, and field operations to gather requirements, define solution scope, and convert business, operational, and data needs into technically feasible designs and delivery plans.
Embed Security, Resilience, and Interoperability

• Ensure architecture decisions support:
• Secure data handling and access controls
• Audit logging and traceability
• Interoperability across systems and organizations
• Data protection and regulatory requirements
• Reliable performance and operational resilience
• Usability within sensitive government environments

Evaluate Technology and Manage Architectural Risk
Assess technology options and emerging capabilities, identify architectural risks and tradeoffs, and recommend practical mitigation strategies that support dependable and sustainable delivery.
Provide Technical Leadership
Guide engineers, data scientists, technical partners, and vendors on architecture standards and best practices. Review delivered solutions against the approved design and help teams resolve complex technical challenges.
Required Qualifications

• Eight or more years of experience in technical roles, including hands-on software development, systems integration, or engineering delivery for complex production environments.
• Three or more years of experience in solution architecture, software architecture, enterprise architecture, or a closely related role.
• Demonstrated ability to design secure, scalable, resilient, and maintainable technology solutions.
• Strong experience with distributed systems, APIs, systems integrations, operational platforms, and complex data flows.
• Experience producing technical architecture documentation, interface specifications, system diagrams, implementation standards, and engineering guidance.
• Familiarity with practical architecture frameworks or documentation methods such as C4, TOGAF, ArchiMate, UML, OpenAPI, or comparable standards.
• Strong knowledge of information security, access control, audit logging, interoperability, data protection, system reliability, and performance.
• Experience working with sensitive operational, regulated, or government-related data.
• Ability to gather requirements from technical and non-technical stakeholders and translate them into clear architecture and delivery plans.
• Exceptional technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to executive, operational, client, vendor, and government audiences.
• Proven ability to quickly understand unfamiliar industries, legacy environments, and complex technical domains.
• Sound judgment and the ability to provide practical architectural guidance under demanding delivery timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with customs, international trade, digital single-window, logistics, port-community, border-management, intelligence, or government technology systems.
• Familiarity with ASYCUDA/SYDONIA or other customs declaration, clearance, or border-management platforms.
• Architecture certification such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Zachman, ArchiMate, CEA, CPCA, or a comparable credential.
• Experience with cloud architecture, DevOps, CI/CD, containerization, infrastructure as code, microservices, API management, or production-monitoring platforms.
• Experience with a modern programming language or back-end technology stack such as .NET, Java, Node.js, or Python. Experience with .NET is especially valuable.
• Exposure to e-payment systems, traceability platforms, distributed-ledger technologies, digital identity, biometrics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computer vision.
• Working proficiency in French.

What Success Looks Like in Your First Few Months
During your first months, you will:

• Complete an architecture and integration assessment covering the customs system, port-community data sources, external data feeds, field technologies, and headquarters analytics requirements.
• Publish the initial reference architecture, integration patterns, data-flow standards, and supporting technical documentation for the customs-assurance service.
• Lead solution-design sessions with engineering, data science, field operations, customs stakeholders, and program leadership.
• Confirm requirements, architectural risks, implementation sequencing, and delivery priorities.
• Define the architectural roadmap and technical standards that will support the future digital single-window platform.

Reporting and Working Relationships
The Solution Architect reports to the Engagement or Delivery Lead and works closely with the:

• Senior Full-Stack Developer
• Senior Data Scientist
• Expatriate Technical Manager
• Data and IT Liaison
• Customs and Valuation Subject-Matter Expert
• In-country operations team
• #LI-NA1

The role will also engage directly with customs authorities, port stakeholders, government technical teams, vendors, and other program partners as needed.
What KIBO Offers

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• High-impact, mission-driven work supporting the modernization of a national customs administration.
• The opportunity to help design a platform with long-term economic, operational, and public-sector impact.
• A collaborative, multidisciplinary team of customs, technology, data, and engineering specialists.
• Significant ownership and influence during a critical program build-out phase.
• Opportunities for professional growth as the platform and program expand.

Join Us
This role is ideal for an architect who enjoys solving complex integration challenges, working across technical and operational teams, and designing technology that performs reliably in demanding real-world environments.
If you are motivated by mission-driven work and want to help establish the architecture behind a transformative customs-modernization program, we encourage you to apply.
KIBO Laboratories LLC is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants of all backgrounds. Offers are contingent on background, right-to-work and - where applicable - sanctions-screening checks.