Principal Solution Architect

Our Architecture Services team provides Architectural services that clients, sales and other internal business units can consume. The team is responsible for creating, maintaining, and overseeing the integrity of end-to-end technology designs and solutions ensuring they address specific opportunity and project business requirements. The work within the team predominantly consists of client-facing pre-sales and project-related activity.

With growth in our team, we are now seeking a Principal Solution Architect to take on a key role in our Canberra team. 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a highly accomplished Principal Solution Architect with deep experience shaping, designing, and leading complex ICT solutions within the Australian Federal Government environment. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of business acumen, broad technical expertise, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence outcomes across multi‑disciplinary teams and high‑stakes programs.

This role will suit a seasoned architect who thrives in customer‑facing environments, excels in complex bid responses, and can act as a trusted adviser to senior public‑sector stakeholders. You will be the strategic design authority across major opportunities, working closely with sales, delivery, architecture, vendors, and Federal Government clients to develop compelling, commercially sound, end‑to‑end solutions.

Applicant must be an Australian Citizen with and be eligible for, or currently hold, an Australian Government Security Clearance

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the development of end‑to‑end technical solutions for major Federal Government opportunities and projects.
• Work collaboratively with customers, account teams, technical SMEs, and delivery leaders to define business and technical requirements.
• Produce high‑quality solution architectures, cost models, and bid content for proposals, tenders, and major programs.
• Guide and mentor other architects and technical specialists, helping uplift capability across the team.
• Serve as the Technical Lead during pre‑sales engagement. Shaping strategy, solution direction, and customer messaging.
• Ensure solutions comply with Federal Government security, policy, and procurement requirements.
• Manage complex stakeholder environments, resolving challenges and aligning diverse teams around a unified solution approach.

Key Strengths & Attributes

• Demonstrated success architecting and positioning solutions for Federal agencies, including experience navigating government procurement processes, tendering, and compliance frameworks.
• Able to engage credibly with SES‑level stakeholders, shape business requirements, and influence strategic decisions.
• Strong cross‑domain knowledge spanning cloud (AWS, Azure), networking, security, data centre, managed services, workplace, and emerging technologies.
• Confident leading virtual teams across sales, architecture, and delivery during major pursuits and proposal development.
• Adept at balancing technical suitability with financial, delivery, and risk considerations to build robust value propositions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts simply and compellingly.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years architectural experience designing and delivering complex ICT solutions.
• Extensive pre‑sales, consultancy, and solution leadership experience within enterprise or government environments.
• Deep familiarity with major Federal Government programs, long sales cycles, and structured bid methodologies (e.g., Miller Heiman).
• Proven ability to develop persuasive proposals and presentations for senior decision‑makers.
• Strong working knowledge of Managed Services, including operating models, service architectures, and transition approaches.
• Demonstrated capability guiding teams through high‑pressure bidding environments with tight deadlines and multiple contributors.
• Certifications with major vendors (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Cisco, HPE, Aruba, Fortinet) highly regarded
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification highly regarded
• ITIL certification (service management understanding).
• Tertiary qualifications in Information Technology, Engineering, or related disciplines.

Our Company

NEC is a leading global software and solutions technology business. Over the last 50+ years of business here in Australia, NEC has helped future-proof organisations in a dynamic and fast changing business environment, driving growth and efficiencies through smart technology solutions, manage risk, solve workforce issues and help businesses improve their customer and employee experience. Working with government agencies and private enterprise, NEC streamlines and simplifies the complex technology requirements, working in areas including health, transport, construction, manufacturing, emergency services, corrections and law enforcement and many more.

At NEC, we offer an outstanding working environment and the opportunity to be part of a high performance team. We place great emphasis on our staff satisfaction and have a fantastic corporate culture and a highly responsive management team.

Please apply online now!

NEC is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.