Description
Description
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal M365 and Exchange Architect to support a federal customer in designing, operating, and modernizing enterprise collaboration, messaging, and identity platforms. This role provides architectural leadership and hands-on technical expertise across Microsoft 365, Exchange (SE and Online), Entra ID, Teams, and hybrid cloud environments in a highly regulated setting.
The ideal candidate will function as a technical authority and trusted advisor to government stakeholders, leading architecture decisions, large-scale migrations, and platform optimization efforts while ensuring security, compliance, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Technical Leadership
- Serve as the lead architect for Microsoft 365, Exchange, and collaboration services in support of a federal customer.
- Design and maintain enterprise reference architectures, standards, and patterns for hybrid and cloud-based collaboration systems.
- Provide architectural guidance aligned with federal security, compliance, and governance requirements.
- Evaluate Microsoft roadmap features and recommend adoption strategies based on mission needs.
Exchange & Collaboration Services
- Provide senior-level administration and architectural oversight of Exchange SE and Exchange Online environments.
- Architect and manage mail flow, security, compliance, retention, and eDiscovery solutions.
- Lead and support enterprise migrations, including hybrid-to-cloud transitions and tenant consolidations.
- Architect, configure, and support Microsoft Teams deployments, integrations, and lifecycle management.
Identity & Access Management
- Design and support hybrid identity solutions using Entra ID and Entra ID Connect.
- Implement and maintain identity synchronization, access controls, and governance policies.
- Support conditional access, privileged identity management, and zero trust initiatives in coordination with security teams.
Automation & Engineering
- Design and maintain PowerShell-based automation frameworks to improve operational efficiency and reliability.
- Develop scripts and tools for administration, monitoring, reporting, and compliance validation.
- Apply engineering best practices to scripting, version control, and documentation.
Cloud, Virtualization & Infrastructure
- Support Azure and VMware environments hosting collaboration and identity workloads.
- Provide guidance on capacity planning, performance optimization, patching, and lifecycle management.
- Ensure infrastructure configurations align with architectural standards and security requirements.
Project Delivery & Customer Engagement
- Act as technical lead on task orders, projects, and modernization initiatives.
- Collaborate with government stakeholders to translate requirements into implementable technical designs.
- Support ServiceNow workflows, including complex incidents, problems, and changes.
- Provide technical input to project plans, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
Documentation & Compliance
- Produce and maintain architecture diagrams, design documents, SOPs, and operational runbooks.
- Support audits, assessments, and compliance activities through accurate documentation.
- Contribute to architecture reviews and change control boards.
Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer
- Mentor junior contractor staff and provide technical escalation support.
- Promote knowledge transfer and operational continuity for government personnel.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 10+ years of enterprise experience supporting Microsoft Exchange, M365, and identity platforms
- Demonstrated experience in architecting and supporting large-scale, hybrid environments
- Experience supporting federal or highly regulated customers preferred
Technical Skills
- Expert knowledge of Exchange SE and Exchange Online
- Strong experience with Entra ID and Entra ID Connect
- Hands-on administration and architecture experience with Microsoft Teams
- Advanced PowerShell scripting skills; working knowledge of Python
- Experience with Azure and VMware environments
- Familiarity with email security platforms such as Trellix
Security & Clearance
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 4 Public Trust clearance
Soft Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to work directly with government customers
- Strong time management and multitasking skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Microsoft certifications (Exchange, M365, or Azure Solutions Architect)
- Experience leading enterprise migrations and modernization efforts
- Familiarity with ITIL-based service delivery models
Work Environment
- 100% remote, with a preference to reside in the DC/DMV area for occasional on-site support
- Supportive, mission-focused environment with opportunities to lead high-impact initiatives
Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
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