Principal M365 Exchange & Collaboration Architect - Full-time

**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. REQNUMBER: T2601315 SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability
**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. REQNUMBER: T2601315 SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability
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Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...