Who is Trace3?
Trace3 is a leading Transformative IT Authority, providing unique technology solutions and consulting services to our clients. Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their organizations to achieve competitive advantage through a process of Integrate, Automate, Innovate.
Our culture at Trace3 embodies the spirit of a startup with the advantage of a scalable business. Employees can grow their career and have fun while doing it!
Trace3 is headquartered in Irvine, California. We employ more than 1,200 people all over the United States. Our major field office locations include Denver, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Los Angeles, Louisville, Texas, San Francisco.
Ready to discover the possibilities that live in technology?
Come Join Us!
Street-Smart - Thriving in Dynamic Times
We are flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment. We continuously innovate and drive constructive change while keeping a focus on the “big picture.” We exercise sound business judgment in making high-quality decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are highly creative and can dig deep within ourselves to find positive solutions to different problems.
Juice - The “Stuff” it takes to be a Needle Mover
We get things done and drive results. We lead without a title, empowering others through a can-do attitude. We look forward to the goal, mentally mapping out every checkpoint on the pathway to success, and visualizing what the final destination looks and feels like.
Teamwork - Humble, Hungry and Smart
We are humble individuals who understand how our job impacts the company's mission. We treat others with respect, admit mistakes, give credit where it’s due and demonstrate transparency. We “bring the weather” by exhibiting positive leadership and solution-focused thinking. We hug people in their trials, struggles, and failures – not just their success. We appreciate the individuality of the people around us.
About the role:
Trace3 is seeking a Principal Solutions Architect (SA) to join our Cloud Applications & Infrastructure team. This senior-level role combines deep technical expertise, pre-sales leadership, and product innovation. The Principal SA will own the end-to-end customer engagement lifecycle — from discovery through solution design, scoping, and delivery hand-off — while also supporting the creation and refinement of Trace3 product offerings and go-to-market (GTM) motions.
This is a client-facing and industry-facing leadership role that requires technical depth, executive presence, and the ability to translate innovation into measurable customer value.
What You'll do:
Pre-Sales Engagement & Solutioning
- Drive the full pre-sales lifecycle, including:
- Customer discovery and requirements analysis
- Solution architecture and design presentations
- Level of Effort (LoE) estimates and pricing input
- Statement of Work (SoW) development with sales and delivery alignment
- Deliver impactful pre-sales presentations tailored to both technical and executive audiences.
- Partner with sales leadership to position Trace3’s capabilities in strategic, differentiated ways.
- Ensure smooth delivery hand-off by collaborating with consulting and delivery teams on scope, risks, and success criteria.
- Provide post-sales support for escalations, solution assurance, and executive client reviews.
Product & GTM Innovation
- Collaborate with practice leaders to enhance and productize Trace3 offerings into repeatable solutions.
- Translate client engagements and market trends into new product frameworks, accelerators, and use cases.
- Support GTM initiatives by developing reference architectures, solution briefs, and enablement material for account teams.
- Act as a bridge between customer needs and Trace3 solution development to ensure market relevance.
Partner & Ecosystem Engagement
- Build and maintain strong partner relationships across cloud, AI, and application ecosystems.
- Co-develop solutions with partners and leverage joint programs to maximize client impact and funding opportunities.
- Stay current with partner certifications, roadmaps, and GTM strategies to position Trace3 competitively.
Industry & Thought Leadership
- Represent Trace3 at customer briefings, regional events, and industry conferences.
- Deliver workshops, executive panels, and technical deep-dives to showcase Trace3 innovation.
- Contribute to Trace3’s thought leadership via whitepapers, blogs, and reference designs.
Internal Leadership & Enablement
- Mentor Solutions Architects and consultants across pre-sales, solutioning, and client engagement disciplines.
- Provide delivery teams with context and solution assurance for successful execution.
- Share market intelligence and competitive insights with Trace3 leadership to refine offerings and GTM strategy.
Qualifications:
Required
- 10+ years in solutions architecture, pre-sales engineering, or technical consulting in enterprise IT.
- Proven experience driving pre-sales end-to-end: LoE, SoW, proposals, and delivery hand-off.
- Deep technical expertise in at least two major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and strong familiarity with the third.
- Strong background in application migration, modernization, cloud foundations, and hybrid architectures.
- Demonstrated ability to manage escalations and provide executive-level solution assurance post-sales.
- Excellent communication skills with proven ability to engage both executives and technical stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel extensively (30–50%) for customer, partner, and industry-facing engagements.
Preferred
- Multi-cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Architect Expert, GCP Professional Cloud Architect).
- Experience contributing to productization of consulting offerings or cloud marketplace solutions.
- Knowledge of regulated industries (Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail) and compliance standards.
- Track record of conference speaking or published thought leadership.
The Perks
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match, 529 College Savings Plan, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability
- Competitive Compensation
- Training and development programs
- Major offices stocked with snacks and beverages
- Collaborative and cool culture
- Work-life balance and generous paid time off
Our Commitment
At the core of Trace3's DNA is our people. We are a diverse group of talented individuals who understand the importance of teamwork and demonstrating leadership, character, and passion in all that we do.
We’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to grow. We recognize that embracing diversity drives innovation, improves outcomes, fosters collaboration, boosts teammate satisfaction, and builds a more inclusive culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Trace3 bases all employment decisions based on individual qualifications, merit, and business requirements. We do not engage in discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Any demographic information provided is strictly voluntary, kept confidential in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations, and will not be used in employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, or mentorship programs. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview, please email [email protected].
***To all recruitment agencies: Trace3 does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Trace3 employees or any other company location. Trace3 is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.
Top Skills
Trace3 El Segundo, California, USA Office
2120 E. Grand Ave, El Segundo, CA, United States
Trace3 Irvine, California, USA Office
7565 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA, United States
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