Principal Architect – AI-Enabled Legacy Modernization

Role Overview

• Drive an AI-enabled modernization initiative supporting a mission-critical U.S. Navy environment.
• Lead comprehensive analysis of a large-scale monolithic system and its dependencies (~30+ interfaces).
• Document current-state architecture, data flows, integrations, and operational constraints.
• Evaluate hosting, security, and IL4/IL5 considerations where applicable.
• Develop a pragmatic, phased modernization roadmap.
• Identify high-value, low-risk opportunities for initial transformation.
• Recommend architectural patterns (modular, services-based, microservices, hybrid, etc.).
• Align strategy with DevSecOps and cloud adoption objectives.
• Evaluate where AI-assisted development can materially accelerate modernization.
• Establish guardrails to prevent tool-driven rather than architecture-driven decisions.
• Translate emerging capabilities (agentic workflows, code generation, automated documentation) into practical delivery models.
• Perform root-cause analysis of prior modernization attempts.
• Identify stakeholder, interface, adoption, and cost factors that contributed to program challenges.
• Ensure future strategy explicitly mitigates those risks.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to CompQsoft leadership and government stakeholders.
• Translate complex architectural concepts into clear decision frameworks.
• Support modernization briefings and strategic planning sessions.
• Recommend an initial modernization pilot with measurable success criteria.
• Define ROM-level cost ranges and delivery approach.
• Establish architectural governance patterns for follow-on efforts.

Requirements

• 12–15+ years in enterprise architecture or large-scale system modernization.
• Demonstrated success modernizing legacy federal or defense systems.
• Experience decomposing monolithic applications.
• Strong integration architecture background.
• Familiarity with secure cloud environments.
• Exceptional architectural judgment
• Ability to operate in ambiguous environments
• Executive communication skills
• Bias toward execution over theory
• DoD or Navy experience (Strongly Preferred)
• Active clearance (Strongly Preferred)
• Experience with IL5 environments (Strongly Preferred)
• DevSecOps transformation exposure (Strongly Preferred)
• AI-assisted development familiarity (Strongly Preferred)

Tech Stack

• Cloud
• Microservices

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities