AI Solutions Architect TS/SCI w/Full Scope Poly

IBM

IBM

Software Engineering, IT, Data Science

Chantilly, VA, USA · Tokyo, Japan

Posted on May 30, 2026
Introduction

At IBM, work is more than a job, it’s a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To collaborate with clients and teammates to deliver impactful solutions. Not just to do something better, but to solve meaningful problems in complex mission environments.

This role is ideal for solution architects with strong hands-on experience who are ready to take increased ownership of AI solution design and delivery while continuing to grow under senior architectural leadership.

Your role and responsibilities

*** US Citizenship is required for this role without exception. Candidates must also have an approved, active US Government Top Secret security clearance and be able to sit onsite in the Washington DC Metro area. ***

The AI Solutions Architect is a hands-on technologist and technical problem-solver who works in collaboration with team members while deepening their architectural expertise, contributing to the architecture, design, and rapid delivery of complex AI/ML solutions for IC mission programs. The Architect contributes to solution designs that balance immediate mission needs with long-term sustainability and operational realities, supporting pragmatic delivery decisions under the guidance to address high-priority gaps with agility within the scope of the delivered solution. This role requires a software-agnostic mindset and the ability to work across IBM and third-party capabilities, ranging from RPA to GenAI to address complex technical problems. The successful candidate will be able to propose alternative technical approaches when appropriate, delivering capabilities that provide immediate value whole supporting continued evolution as mission requirements shift.

Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise

Clearance & Logistics: US Citizenship and an approved, active Top Secret/SCI with Full-Scope Polygraph clearance are required on day one. Ability to sit regularly at IBM or customer worksites in the Washington, DC Metro Area.

Cognitive Flexibility & Innovation: 5+ years of experience designing and implementing data and AI/ML solutions with the ability to adapt thinking and approaches to solve complex mission challenges.

Agnostic Technical Mastery: Experience contributing to end-to-end AI solutions using a range of technologies including GenAI, LLMs, RPA, and traditional process improvement techniques.

Architectural Foundations: Strong knowledge of modern integration patterns, including Data Fabric, Data Mesh, with experience deploying solutions across major providers and hybrid environments.

User-Centric Architecture: Demonstrated experience applying User Centric Design principles to technical architecture, ensuring that the "80% solution" is built specifically to address the end-user's cognitive load and mission environment.

Mission-Driven Communication: Ability to operate in high-stakes environments and communicate technical trade-offs clearly to technical teams and mission stakeholders.

Preferred technical and professional experience

IC Sector Experience: 3+ years within the last 5 years supporting or architecting systems for the National Security or Defense sector, with exposure to air-gapped delivery and secure AI requirements.

Continuous Evolution Mindset: Experience contributing to solutions designed with future scalability and adaptability in mind, ensuring that rapid prototypes can transition into production capabilities as mission requirements evolve.

Technical Polymathy: Experience working with modern data and AI platforms such as Databricks and Snowflake, while maintaining a software-agnostic approach and the ability to recommend alternative tools when mission requirements dictate.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

US Citizenship Required.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.