Principal Solution Architect
Microsoft
Principal Solution Architect
Multiple Locations, United States
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Overview
Microsoft Industry Solutions Delivery is a global organization hosting over 6,000 strategic sellers, industry and security experts, elite engineers, world-class data scientists and architects, consultants, and delivery specialists. Together with our partners, we help Microsoft’s most strategic customers worldwide to address their specific challenges and provide comprehensive and industry-specific solutions that meet their unique needs.
Our organization is at the forefront of innovation, driving value across the entirety of the customers’ digital and AI transformation journey through repeatable and customized cutting-edge solutions powered by Microsoft Cloud and AI.
The Principal Solution Architect is responsible for gathering and translating the client’s business requirements into specific systems, applications, or process designs for very large complex technology solutions and architectures. You’ll act as an advocate for the client as the ultimate authority on the architecture designed to address client business problems. You’ll provide direction for design activities, often project-based, sometimes working at customer sites.
The Solution Architect drives our focus on Service Transformation, Agentic AI while clearly validating and measuring customer business outcomes. The Solution Architect will identify, lead, and manage a set of complex business capability focused solutions based on the Microsoft Cloud across Copilot, Copilot Studio, Team and Dynamics. This requires forming anchoring relationships through customer engagement with both internal and external partners. This role is also critical in driving the discovery, ideation, and solution architecture with laser focus on customer business outcomes from deploying the Microsoft platforms and solutions This role will support the Microsoft sales team pursuits, estimating, scoping proposals, and ensuring delivery on ground-breaking engagements.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 10+ years experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., CRM, ERP or AI) OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., CRM, ERP or AI) OR equivalent experience.
- 4+ years managing multiple, complex projects or portfolios
- 2+ years experience leading blended, multidisciplinary teams
Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain ((e.g., CRM, ERP or AI) OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 15+ years experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain ((e.g., CRM, ERP or AI) OR equivalent experience.
- 8+ years technical sales experience.
- 8+ years project management experience.
- 5+ years people management experience, including managing consultant practice managers, technical sales managers, and/or technical architect managers.
- Technical or Professional Certification in Domain (e.g., CRM, ERP or AI).
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 14, 2025
Responsibilities
Solution Design & Architecture
- Define end-to-end architecture for Agentic AI systems and Copilot integrations across enterprise workflows.
- Ensure solutions align with business KPIs, compliance requirements, and scalability standards.
- Develop reference architectures and reusable patterns for agent orchestration, context management, and Copilot extensibility.
Business Value Alignment
- Partner with business stakeholders to translate objectives into technical capabilities.
- Create value realization frameworks (ROI models, productivity metrics) for AI-driven solutions.
- Advocate for responsible AI practices ensuring transparency, fairness, and governance.
Technical Leadership
- Guide engineering teams on configuration, prompt engineering, API integration, and lifecycle management.
- Evaluate emerging technologies (LLMs, orchestration frameworks, vector databases) for fit and innovation.
- Establish performance benchmarks for latency, accuracy, and cost optimization.
Delivery Leadership
- Engages stakeholders (e.g., business users, architects, security, operations) to refine requirements and constraints. Resolves ambiguity, documents assumptions, and validates implementation through test plans. Collaborates to address defects and ensure alignment with expectations.
- Collaborates to identify and mitigate business and technical risks. Defines contingency plans and governance practices to minimize exposure and ensure project resilience.
- Defines and communicates solution architecture through formal documentation, articulating business value, ROI, and cost savings. Leads complex discussions on build, deployment, and operations to assess customer readiness.
Trusted Advisor
- Builds strong relationships with senior decision-makers across high-impact customers and partners to influence strategic direction and resolve blockers. Acts as a trusted advisor, facilitating connections and guiding stakeholder engagement.
- Uses evidence-based reasoning to simplify complex concepts and respectfully challenge decisions that may not yield optimal outcomes. Encourages alternative approaches when appropriate, leveraging strategic insight and industry experience.
- Connects customers and partners with relevant ideas, experts, and resources to support their success. Serves as the technical conscience, challenging unrealistic expectations and driving resolution through consensus or decisive action.
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