Chief Architect

Expression; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k matching

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Education reimbursement

Life insurance

Generous PTO and holidays

Onsite gym access

Commuter Benefits Plan

Job summary

Expression seeks an accomplished Lead Architect to provide technical leadership for the JPES and JCRM sustainment programs at DISA. You will own the software architecture, engineering strategy, and execution for a large-scale enterprise mission system.

You will guide architecture across cloud and on-prem environments, DevSecOps, cybersecurity, integration, and sustainment while leading Agile teams delivering secure, scalable capabilities. Clearance: Secret; Location: Fort Meade, MD.

Qualifications

• Lead enterprise software architecture and engineering for DoD programs.
• Experience presenting to senior Government stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of APIs, CI/CD, and configuration management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for software architecture across JPES and JCRM.
• Define and maintain the overall enterprise architecture, aligned with DoD and DISA standards.
• Lead design, modernization, integration, deployment, and sustainment of enterprise applications using Agile and DevSecOps practices.
• Provide technical leadership across software engineering, cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps, cybersecurity, system administration, database administration, testing, and configuration management teams.
• Collaborate with Government Product Owner and leadership to translate requirements into architectural roadmaps and implementation strategies.
• Design and oversee secure cloud-native and hybrid architectures supporting Azure IL6, on-prem, and classified/unclassified environments.
• Oversee architecture reviews, releases, system integration, production deployments, and sustainment.
• Ensure adherence to secure software engineering practices, RMF, STIG, and ATO requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and modernization initiatives to improve performance, security, and maintainability.
• Represent the program during technical exchanges, architecture reviews, and executive briefings.

Skills

Enterprise software architecture

Leadership

Agile development

DevSecOps pipelines

Cloud infrastructure

RMF/NIST/STIG

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Azure IL6

Kubernetes/OpenShift

Docker

Azure DevOps

Git

Jenkins

Job description

Expression is looking for an experienced Lead Architect to provide technical leadership supporting the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Planning & Execution Services (JPES) and Joint Capabilities Requirements Manager (JCRM) Sustainment Program.

The Lead Architect serves as the senior technical authority responsible for the overall software architecture, engineering strategy, and technical execution of a large-scale enterprise mission system supporting the Department of War's Global Force Management mission. This individual will guide architectural decisions across software engineering, DevSecOps, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, system integration, and sustainment while leading Agile development teams delivering secure, scalable, and mission-critical capabilities.

Clearance: Secret Clearance required

Location: DISA Headquarters, 6910 Cooper Ave, Fort Meade, MD

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for software architecture, engineering, infrastructure, and enterprise technology decisions supporting JPES and JCRM.
• Define and maintain the overall enterprise architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, reliable, and aligned with DoD and DISA standards.
• Lead the design, development, modernization, integration, deployment, and sustainment of enterprise applications using Agile and DevSecOps practices.
• Provide technical leadership across software engineering, cloud infrastructure, DevSecOps, cybersecurity, system administration, database administration, testing, and configuration management teams.
• Collaborate with the Government Product Owner and program leadership to translate operational requirements into technical solutions, architectural roadmaps, and implementation strategies.
• Design and oversee secure cloud-native and hybrid architectures supporting Microsoft Azure IL6, on-premises infrastructure, and classified and unclassified environments.
• Oversee architecture reviews, software releases, system integration, production deployments, release readiness, and post-deployment sustainment.
• Ensure adherence to secure software engineering practices, configuration management, CI/CD, RMF, STIG, and Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend modernization initiatives that improve system performance, security, scalability, and maintainability.
• Represent the program during technical exchange meetings, architecture reviews, customer demonstrations, and executive briefings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline. Four additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading enterprise software architecture and engineering efforts supporting Federal Government or DoD programs.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Architect, Chief Engineer, Lead Architect, Solution Architect, or Technical Lead for large-scale software development and sustainment programs.
• Experience leading enterprise application architecture within Agile software development environments.
• Experience designing cloud and hybrid architectures, DevSecOps pipelines, enterprise application modernization, and systems integration.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture, API design, enterprise application frameworks, databases, CI/CD, release management, and configuration management.
• Experience implementing secure software development practices within RMF, NIST, STIG, and DoD cybersecurity frameworks.
• Experience presenting technical solutions and architectural recommendations to senior Government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams and collaborate effectively with Government customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DISA, Global Force Management (GFM), JPES, JCRM, or other Joint Command and Control systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure IL6, DoD Software Factory environments, hybrid cloud architectures, Kubernetes/OpenShift, Docker, and container orchestration.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, Git, Jenkins, or comparable DevSecOps and CI/CD platforms.
• Experience supporting Oracle, PostgreSQL, WebLogic, Apache Tomcat, enterprise middleware, and authentication services.
• Experience integrating RMF, eMASS, STIG compliance, and Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements into enterprise architectures.
• Experience supporting NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and other classified computing environments.
• Familiarity with DoDAF and model-based architecture practices.
• AWS, Microsoft Azure, TOGAF, SAFe, or other architecture-related certifications.

Benefits

• 401k matching
• PPO and HDHP medical/dental/vision insurance
• Education reimbursement
• Complimentary life insurance
• Generous PTO and holiday leave
• Onsite office gym access
• Commuter Benefits Plan

About Expression

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC, Expression provides data fusion, data analytics, AI/ML, software engineering, information technology, and electromagnetic spectrum management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and national security community. Expression’s culture focuses on creating immediate and sustainable value for our clients via agile delivery of tailored solutions built through constant engagement with our clients. Expression was ranked #1 on the Washington Technology 2018's Fast 50 list of fastest-growing small business Government contractors and a Top 20 Big Data Solutions Provider by CIO Review.

We make sure to provide everyone with the tools and opportunities to grow while working on some of the newest technologies in the industry. We get excited about celebrating our professionals' milestones, accomplishments, promotions, overcoming challenges, and many other aspects that make an engaging collaborative environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Expression is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please submit your request to our Human Resources department through the application portal.