Avantus Federal Looking for Solutions Architect at McLean, VA  Full Time

Avantus Federal, recently acquired by Qinetiq US, is a mission-focused data, cyber and space services, and solutions company. As a mid-market powerhouse with an intentional blend of elite talent, infrastructure, and speed to impact, Avantus leads with technical and domain expertise for its Defense, Intelligence, Homeland Security and Federal Civilian customers.

Helping to solve some of the toughest national security problems and government missions, Avantus’ offerings enable services at scale, including cyber technologies and operations, data and software solutions, digital engineering and integration, intelligence analysis and operations, transformation, and advisory services and more.

The Solution Architect works as a leader with our delivery, capture, and proposal teams to develop and present compelling solutions to client problems in Avantus proposals. The role brings together technical expertise, facilitation, coaching, influence, and artifact design to best articulate Avantus’ differentiated solutions.

This role provides an outstanding opportunity to make major contributions to Qinetiq US as it launches its next phase of growth. These opportunities include leveraging capabilities across Qinetiq groups to win large ($100M+) new business awards; playing a key role in continuing to improve Qinetiq solution, capture, and proposal processes; and maturing Qinetiq’s technical sales capabilities at a large scale.

Lead and engage teams of people with diverse skills to develop comprehensive solutions encompassing IT applications, full enterprise services, program management activities, and agency-wide operational support.
• Lead the development of innovative solutions in support of major capture efforts, balancing these solutions against cost, schedule, function, quality, and other business considerations.
• Work with capture managers, delivery managers, and executive leadership through a variety of channels to understand specific, significant client needs. This includes conducting pre-sales engineering activities with Avantus teams to directly engage with customers.
• Collaborate with functional leads and subject matter experts to develop comprehensive and compelling solutions to identified, validated client needs.
• Pre-RFP, develop and document a high-level, impactful proposal story. Develop key solution artifacts such as concept of operations graphics, methodology graphics, and targeted vignettes that capture distinctive Avantus success stories and articulate our value proposition. This task involves a mix of hands-on work and collaboration with Avantus technical personnel.
• Post-RFP, serve as advisor, coach, and collaborator to make sure that the technical lead/book boss and writing team fully articulate the solution in the proposal.
• Effectively communicate with company leadership as required through reviews, presentations, and other channels.
• Act as a change agent to enhance company capture and proposal processes. Contribute to ongoing formal and informal solution training of Avantus delivery personnel.
• Create white papers, proposals, and briefings demonstrating the thought leadership capabilities of the organization; support various marketing and business development efforts through artifact design and customer interaction.

• 8 years’ relevant experience.
• Strong technical/functional point of view, e.g. as derived from significant demonstrated experience with one or more of the following areas: data & software solutions, augmented intelligence, transformation & advisory services, intelligence operations & analysis, major systems engineering within the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership roles (e.g. Technical Lead, book boss, or similar) on major proposals ($50M).
• Demonstrated experience with intensive pre-RFP solution work.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive and deliver effective stories — enterprise-wide solutions that showcase company capabilities and speak in an integrated way to specific client needs.
• Strong understanding of all dimensions of major proposals and how these synergize in effective offers: e.g., technical, staffing, management, transition, cost.
• Demonstrated ability to develop complex, compelling proposal graphics in draft form.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in matrixed, multi-functional environments.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective sessions and develop content with team members, bringing structure and order to underdefined pre-RFP work landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and positively motivate others so as to achieve proposal results.
• Demonstrated ability to act independently to achieve results with minimal direction.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with executives.

• 10 years’ relevant experience.
• Master’s degree in relevant field; one or more relevant professional certifications.
• Extensive experience in leadership roles (e.g. Technical Lead, book boss, or similar) on major proposals ($50M).
• Experience in proposal leadership roles on very large proposals ($100M+).

Avantus Federal is an equal opportunity workplace and a Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) federal contractor. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or veteran status, as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by requesting an accommodations application. Avantus encourages members of historically underrepresented communities to apply and hires individuals solely based on their qualifications for the role. We strongly commit to embracing diversity and ensuring equal employment opportunities for all.