Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor

FTS International, LLC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement and Savings

Job summary

FTS International, LLC, based in Chantilly, VA, seeks a Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor to guide senior government leaders on architecture options and acquisition strategies. The role emphasizes cost-effectiveness, mission performance, and clear communication of complex issues to executives.

The candidate will evaluate technologies, lead analyses, and develop actionable recommendations across portfolios, interfacing with senior stakeholders in the IC and DoW, while shaping

Qualifications

• TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop executive briefings and papers.

Responsibilities

• Advise on next-generation SIGINT architecture concepts and technology options.
• Lead architecture trades and analyses evaluating performance, cost, schedule, risk, and scalability.
• Develop independent technical assessments and recommended actions for senior leadership.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to advance mission capability while controlling cost and risk.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear recommendations for executives.
• Support acquisition documentation, SOWs, and related artifacts as needed.
• Prepare executive messaging and decision papers for priority programs.

Skills

TS/SCI with polygraph

Strong communication skills

Executive briefing ability

Education

MS STEM in engineering

Job description

FTS International, LLC (FTS) is committed to providing the Federal Government with quality consultants and support. To ensure mission success we focus on putting our customers first while minimizing corporate bureaucracy on our staff. We provide Subject Matter Experts (SME) free of Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) focused on independent analysis and mission support services within the disciplines of Engineering, Counter Terrorism Operations, Management, Information Technology, Signals Analysis.

FTS has an opportunity for a Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor in Chantilly, VA.

The Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor will serve as a trusted technical advisor, helping senior government leaders evaluate architectural alternatives, balance mission performance and affordability, identify opportunities for innovation, shape acquisition strategies, and communicate complex technical and programmatic issues to executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Advise the SIGINT Chief Architect and government leadership on next-generation SIGINT architecture concepts, technology options, and technical strategies
• Lead or support architecture trades and analyses evaluating mission performance, technical feasibility, cost, schedule, risk, scalability, and affordability
• Develop independent technical assessments, courses of action, and recommendations to inform senior-level architecture and portfolio decisions
• Evaluate emerging technologies, innovative approaches, prototypes, and other opportunities to advance mission capability while controlling cost and technical risk
• Synthesize information from market research, government studies, engineering analyses, and other sources into clear recommendations and actionable paths forward
• Support development and execution of portfolio activities acquiring cutting-edge SIGINT capabilities and prototypes
• Evaluate acquisition strategies that translate architectural objectives and customer vision into executable programs
• Advise government technical and acquisition personnel on requirements, acquisition approaches, program development, and implementation
• Assess technical and cost considerations associated with proposals, designs, performance data, and alternative acquisition approaches
• Identify opportunities to improve affordability, reduce lifecycle costs, manage technical risk, and accelerate delivery of mission capabilities
• Support development of acquisition documentation, technical and programmatic requirements, acquisition packages, SOWs, CDRLs, and related artifacts as appropriate
• Translate complex technical, architectural, acquisition, cost, and mission issues into clear recommendations for senior government leaders
• Develop executive briefings, decision papers, strategic messaging, point papers, reports, and other materials that clearly articulate customer vision, mission value, investment priorities, and recommended courses of action
• Interface effectively with senior stakeholders across the Intelligence Community, Department of War, acquisition organizations, technical organizations, and industry
• Support strategic communications that build understanding and alignment around portfolio priorities, architectural decisions, and acquisition strategies

Required Skills/Qualifications

• TS/SCI with polygraph
• MS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• 30+ years of experience in supporting SIGINT mission systems and in collaborating with key stakeholders and mission partners
• 20+ years of experience with the design and development of satellite systems, technologies and their application in military and defense operations
• 12+ years of experience with major system acquisition including acquisition and budgeting process
• Demonstrated ability to perform rigorous technical and cost/performance analysis and translate results into actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated understanding of Intelligence Community and/or Department of War acquisition processes, documentation, and budgetary considerations
• Strong written, oral, briefing, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, cross-functional environment and independently drive work to completion
• Working knowledge of the FAR, applicable acquisition regulations and policies, contract types, and acquisition processes
• Ability to develop high-quality strategic messaging, presentations, point papers, reports, and decision-support materials

Desired Skills/Qualifications

• Ph.D. in engineering discipline
• Demonstrated experience advising senior government leaders and influencing significant technical, architectural, programmatic, or acquisition decisions
• Deep experience with DoW and Intelligence Community acquisition cycles, acquisition documentation, and budgetary processes
• Experience with cost estimation techniques, cost modeling, and cost/performance trade analysis
• Experience developing architectural representations to inform senior management decision-making
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and practices
• DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management or equivalent acquisition/program management experience
• Experience with Agile development practices
• Hands-on industry experience with RF payload engineering, integration, and test
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies, prototypes, commercial capabilities, or innovative acquisition approaches
• Familiarity with NSA capabilities and organization
• Familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Engineering/Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile development, cloud technologies

Expected Salary Range: $187,000 - $229,000 per year. Placement within the range is determined by qualifications, job-related criteria, experience, internal equity and market considerations.

In addition, FTS International, LLC has benefits offerings in addition to salary to include Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.

FTS International, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer - vets/disabled.