Chief Systems Architect

Leidos; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos National Solutions is seeking a Chief Systems Architect to lead architectural design and enterprise strategy for a high-visibility geospatial intelligence program in Gaithersburg, MD. The role requires TS/SCI clearance and experience guiding cross‑functional teams to deliver secure, scalable solutions.

The candidate will oversee cloud integration, systems modernization, and governance across multiple task orders, ensuring interoperability, compliant architecture, and robust data flows for

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required.
• Master’s degree with 15–20 years of relevant experience or Doctorate with 13–16 years.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in systems architecture, software development, solution engineering, or enterprise IT.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to present complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven experience designing and managing complex, mission-critical enterprise architectures with IC.
• Deep expertise in cloud architecture (AWS/C2S/IC GovCloud), data integration, and secure multi‑domain systems.
• Experience with geographically dispersed Agile teams and SAFe ceremonies.
• Familiarity with GEOINT data, tools, infrastructure, and tradecraft.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST 800-53), zero-trust architectures, and cloud security principles.
• Certifications: TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, CISSP, CCSP, PMP, RHCA.

Responsibilities

• Lead as the principal systems architect and strategic technical advisor on enterprise systems design, cloud integration, and modernization.
• Direct architectural design and governance across multiple task orders for the GEOINT initiative.
• Develop and evolve architectural patterns and interface specs for enterprise systems.
• Drive cloud-native strategies including containerization and CI/CD pipelines in secure environments.
• Translate business needs into technical solutions meeting performance, scalability, security, and compliance.
• Collaborate with product managers, RTEs, and cross-functional teams to align on technical roadmaps.
• Guide decision-making across geographically dispersed teams to ensure consistent design patterns and DevSecOps practices.
• Ensure solutions comply with federal enterprise architecture, cybersecurity mandates, and cloud adoption strategies.
• Represent Leidos in high-level technical exchanges with customer and IC stakeholders.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Enterprise IT architecture

SAFe

Python

C/C++

JavaScript (React/Svelte)

NIST 800-53

Cloud security

Education

Master’s degree

Doctorate

Tools

AWS GovCloud

GEOINT tools

Job description

Leidos Intel Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers’ mission to defend against evolving threats around the world. Our team’s focus is to ensure our customers have the right tools, technologies, and tactics to keep pace with an ever-evolving security landscape and succeed in their pursuit to protect people and critical assets.

The National Solutions Business Area is currently seeking a highly motivated Chief Systems Architect for the Maru Program. The successful candidate will serve as the lead technical authority guiding architectural design, systems integration, and enterprise strategy across a high‑visibility geospatial intelligence initiative.

Please note Gaithersburg, MD is the program’s primary work location.

Clearance Level Required

Active Top Secret/SCI with the ability to successfully pass a Polygraph examination.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead architect for a primary task order, while providing architectural guidance and alignment across the broader program as needed to ensure consistency, interoperability, and compliance across multiple task orders.
• Serve as the principal systems architect and strategic technical advisor on all matters related to enterprise systems design, cloud integration, and architecture modernization.
• Lead the development and evolution of architectural frameworks and system‑of‑systems designs aligned with the customer’s long‑term GEOINT strategies.
• Provide authoritative recommendations on technology integration, standards adoption, and data flow optimization.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Release Train Engineers (RTEs), and cross‑functional scrum teams to translate business needs into technical solutions that meet performance, scalability, security, and compliance requirements.
• Guide technical decision‑making across geographically dispersed teams to ensure consistent design patterns, coding standards, and DevSecOps practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews and provide governance to ensure solutions are compliant with federal enterprise architecture frameworks, cybersecurity mandates (e.g., NIST), and cloud adoption strategies.
• Define, update, and validate architectural patterns and interface specifications for enterprise‑level systems.
• Drive cloud‑native solution strategies including containerization, and continuous integration/continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD) pipelines in secure environments.
• Analyze and evaluate emerging technologies to inform future‑state architecture and capability roadmaps.
• Represent Leidos and the Maru Program in high‑level technical exchanges, reviews, and governance boards with the customer and Intelligence Community (IC) stakeholders.
• Drive user‑facing front‑end development and back‑end infrastructure that integrates with existing customer systems and end user mission requirements.
• Expertise in at least one high‑level programming language like Python, C, C++ or Java in addition to front end JavaScript API usage like Svelte or React.

Basic Qualifications

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Master’s with 15‑20 years of prior relevant experience or Doctorate with 13‑16 years of prior relevant experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in systems architecture, software development, solution engineering, or enterprise information technology (IT).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, and managing complex, mission‑critical enterprise architectures with the IC.
• Deep expertise in cloud architecture (AWS/C2S/IC GovCloud), data integration, and secure multi‑domain systems.
• Experience working with geographically dispersed Agile teams and participating in SAFe ceremonies (e.g., PI Planning Events, System Demos).
• Familiarity with GEOINT data, the customer’s tools, infrastructure, and tradecraft.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead cross‑organizational collaboration.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST 800‑53), zero‑trust architectures, and cloud security principles.
• Certifications such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, CISSP, CCSP, PMP, or RHCA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting customer mission operations, and programs.
• SAFe certification, such as SAFe Architect, SAFe Agilist (SA), or SAFe Program Consultant (SPC).
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), hybrid cloud, and cloud migration strategies.
• Experience mentoring junior architects or leading architecture communities of practice.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.