Chief Systems Architect - TS/SCI w/Poly

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT); McLean (VA); On-site; USD 215,000 - 291,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Health & Wellness

Career Growth

Professional Development

Innovative Tech

Work-Life Balance

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) in McLean, VA is seeking a Chief Systems Architect to drive transformation of mission-critical systems and shape cloud-native platforms for a national security customer. You will lead senior teams, define enterprise architecture strategies, and ensure alignment with Agile, CI/CD, DevSecOps, and zero-trust security while mentoring engineers.

The role requires 15+ years of IT experience with 5+ years in leadership and a TS/SCI with Poly clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• 15+ years IT experience, with 5+ years in a senior architecture leadership role.
• TS/SCI with Poly clearance.
• Proven experience guiding multi-disciplinary technical teams through large-scale modernization.
• Deep experience with cloud and microservices architectures (e.g., AWS GovCloud, Kubernetes, containerization).
• Strong background in data platform modernization and analytics platforms.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Agile methodologies and modern CI/CD delivery.
• Ability to develop and brief complex strategies to senior technical and mission leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own enterprise architecture strategies that guide the customer’s cloud, data, and services modernization journey.
• Lead, integrate, and inspire multiple high-performing technical teams working on mission-aligned modernization efforts.
• Evaluate technology tradeoffs, identify innovation opportunities, and brief senior customer and corporate leadership on architecture direction.
• Oversee the transformation of legacy applications into secure, scalable, cloud-native services built for future mission agility.
• Ensure architectures align with Agile delivery, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices, and zero-trust principles.
• Partner closely with product owners, program leadership, mission stakeholders, and engineering teams to translate operational needs into actionable architectures.
• Champion modern engineering practices, foster innovation, and help shape GDIT’s enterprise modernization standards.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Microservices

Kubernetes

AWS GovCloud

CI/CD

DevSecOps

Zero-trust security

Data modernization

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

CI/CD tools

DevSecOps toolchains

Job description

Job Description:

What You’ll Achieve

As the Chief Systems Architect , you will drive the transformation of mission‑critical systems for a high‑visibility national security customer and their premier data environment. You will shape the technical strategy that transitions legacy applications into modern, cloud‑native platforms—directly influencing the future of the mission.

You will serve as the senior technical program authority across cloud, data, API, integration, and microservices modernization, bringing thought leadership and architectural vision to a highly complex and impactful environment.

This role is ideal for a senior architect who thrives on modernization at scale and wants to directly contribute to mission outcomes while developing and mentoring elite engineering teams.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Develop and own enterprise architecture strategies that guide the customer’s cloud, data, and services modernization journey.
• Lead, integrate, and inspire multiple high‑performing technical teams working on mission‑aligned modernization efforts.
• Evaluate technology tradeoffs, identify innovation opportunities, and brief senior customer and corporate leadership on architecture direction.
• Oversee the transformation of legacy applications into secure, scalable, cloud‑native services built for future mission agility.
• Ensure architectures align with Agile delivery, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices, and zero‑trust principles.
• Partner closely with product owners, program leadership, mission stakeholders, and engineering teams to translate operational needs into actionable architectures.
• Champion modern engineering practices, foster innovation, and help shape GDIT’s enterprise modernization standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
• 15+ years of IT experience, with 5+ years in a senior architecture leadership role.
• TS/SCI with Poly clearance.
• Proven experience guiding multi‑disciplinary technical teams through large‑scale modernization.
• Deep experience with cloud and microservices architectures (e.g., AWS GovCloud, Kubernetes, containerization).
• Strong background in data platform modernization, including analytics platforms or distributed data systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Agile methodologies and modern CI/CD delivery.
• Ability to develop and brief complex strategies to senior technical and mission leaders.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Hands‑on experience designing and implementing microservices and cloud‑native architectures.
• Expertise in API design, distributed systems, zero‑trust principles, and event‑driven architectures.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps toolchains, and Agile/Scrum environments.
• Familiarity with data lakes, analytics platforms, and modern data engineering patterns.
• Knowledge of modern UI frameworks and responsive application design.
• Understanding of AI/ML architecture patterns and emerging cloud‑based AI services.
• Cloud certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional).

Why GDIT?

• Shape the future of mission‑critical systems with national‑level impact.
• Lead enterprise modernization efforts using advanced cloud, data, and automation technologies.
• Grow your career through GDIT’s technical leadership pathways, enterprise labs, and extensive training and certification programs.
• Join an environment that empowers architects with autonomy, supports innovation, and rewards forward‑thinking technical leadership.
• Be part of a culture built on trust, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing mission capabilities.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

• 401K : With company match.
• Health & Wellness : Comprehensive health and wellness packages.
• Career Growth : Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career.
• Professional Development : Growth opportunities including paid education and certifications.
• Innovative Tech : Access to cutting‑edge technology to stay ahead of the mission.
• Work-Life Balance : Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays.

The likely salary range for this position is $214,776 - $290,580. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US‑based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post‑tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long‑term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans