Chief Systems Architect

Leidos Inc; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 154,050 - 278,475; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Chief Systems Architect for the Maru Program in Gaithersburg, MD. You will serve as the lead technical authority guiding architectural design, systems integration, and enterprise strategy for a high-visibility geospatial intelligence initiative.

Lead enterprise architecture across cloud-native solutions, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive CI/CD in secure environments. Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required for contract.
• 15–20 years of relevant experience with Master's or 13–16 years with Doctorate.
• 10+ years in systems architecture, software development, or IT.
• Ability to present complex concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven experience designing and managing mission-critical enterprise architectures with the IC.
• Deep expertise in cloud architecture across 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, and tradecraft.
• Knowledge of NIST 800-53, zero-trust, and cloud security.
• Certifications: TOGAF, AWS/Azure/GCP, CISSP, CCSP, PMP, RHCA.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead architect for a primary task order and provide guidance across the program.
• As principal systems architect, advise on enterprise systems design, cloud integration, and modernization.
• Lead development of architectural frameworks and system-of-systems aligned with GEOINT strategy.
• Provide recommendations on technology integration, standards adoption, and data flow optimization.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Release Train Engineers, and scrum teams to translate needs into solutions.
• Guide technical decisions across dispersed teams to ensure consistency and DevSecOps practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews and governance to align with federal frameworks and NIST/cybersecurity rules.
• Define and validate architectural patterns and interface specs for enterprise systems.
• Drive cloud-native strategies including containers and CI/CD in secure environments.
• Analyze emerging technologies to inform future-state architecture and roadmaps.
• Represent Leidos and the Maru Program in high-level technical exchanges with customers and IC stakeholders.
• Drive front-end development and back-end infrastructure integration with customer systems.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud architecture (AWS/C2S/IC GovGov)

Geospatial GEOINT knowledge

SAFe/Agile experience

Communication skills

Security/compliance (NIST, zero-trust)

Programming: Python/Java/C/C++

Education

Master's degree + 15–20 years

Doctorate + 13–16 years

Tools

TOGAF

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Google Professional Cloud Architect

Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert

CISSP

CCSP

PMP

RHCA

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.

The Chief Systems Architect will work closely with our customer leadership, mission stakeholders, and other contractors to develop and implement a scalable, secure, and resilient enterprise architecture supporting both current and future geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) missions.

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

Clearance Level

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, 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 (including 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 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 such as Python, C, C++, or Java in addition to front-end JavaScript API usage like Svelte or React.

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. 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 such as PI Planning Events and 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 such as 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, or SAFe Program Consultant.
• Experience with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, GCP, hybrid cloud, and cloud migration strategies.
• Experience mentoring junior architects or leading architecture communities of practice.

Pay Range

$154,050.00 - $278,475.00

Benefits

Pay and benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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.