Chief Systems Engineer/Architect Lead

Nationwide IT Services, Inc.; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

PTO

Commuter benefits

Employee assistance program

Educational reimbursement

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Nationwide IT Services is seeking a Chief Systems Engineer/Architect Lead to advise USMEPCOM on enterprise IT architecture and modernization across applications, cloud, data centers, and networks. You will craft roadmaps, manage trade studies, and ensure secure, scalable, and interoperable systems for mission-critical environments.

The role requires active security clearance and cloud-related certifications, with responsibilities spanning design, analysis, and executive-level communications to

Qualifications

• At least five years delivering enterprise IT architecture and engineering services at scale.
• One cloud security or cloud-related technology certification.
• Experience presenting to senior personnel.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical advice and executive briefings on architecture and risk.
• Develop enterprise solutions across applications, cloud, data centers, networks, and security.
• Prepare modernization roadmaps, gap analyses, and milestones for government programs.
• Guide data center and cloud modernization, SDN, and zero-trust initiatives.
• Support secure integration, Agile/DevSecOps delivery, and RMF/STIG alignment.

Skills

Enterprise IT architecture

Executive-level briefings

Cloud security certifications

Job description

Chief Systems Engineer/Architect Lead

Clearance: Active Secret

Required Certification: C

loud security certification orcloud-related technology certification

Nationwide IT Services, NIS, is seeking a Chief Systems Engineer/Architect Lead to serve as the senior technical advisor to United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) leadership for systems engineering and technical innovation under the Enterprise Network for Lifecycle, Information Support, and Technology (ENLIST). The position designs solutions to complex application, systems administration, and network problems and performs systems management and integration functions.

The role supports the Applicant Processing System and associated enterprise infrastructure across operational, integration, testing, and development environments. Responsibilities include enterprise architecture, cloud and data center modernization, technical analysis, secure integration, resilient design, and executive-level technical communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical advice and executive-level briefings on architecture, engineering alternatives, technology risks, modernization priorities, and technical innovation.
• Develop enterprise solutions spanning applications, cloud services, data centers, networks, storage, and security while maintaining integration and interoperability with existing systems.
• Prepare modernization roadmaps, gap analyses, milestones, schedules, and measurable outcomes; support quarterly modernization strategy updates to the Government.
• Guide network and data center modernization, including software-defined networking, Application Centric Infrastructure, virtual routing/switching, Zero Trust networking, and software-defined data center capabilities.
• Design hybrid-cloud, high-availability, backup, Continuity of Operations (COOP), and disaster-recovery solutions that support scalability, workload mobility, and service continuity.
• Perform structured requirements analysis and trade studies; evaluate commercial and Government solutions and develop concepts of operations, technical designs, rough-order-of-magnitude estimates, and total-cost-of-ownership inputs.
• Support secure software and infrastructure integration, Agile/DevSecOps delivery, development and test environments, configuration baselines, and verification of enterprise solutions.
• Integrate Risk Management Framework (RMF) controls, DISA Security Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIGs), and vulnerability-remediation considerations into technical designs and implementation activities.
• Support architectural integration of data platforms, enterprise interfaces, analytics, and AI-ready data capabilities in coordination with software, data, and cybersecurity teams.
• Maintain technical and interface documentation; provide knowledge transfer and technical training and participate in project kick-off and quarterly Program Management Reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least five years of experience within the past eight years providing enterprise-level IT architecture and engineering services similar in scope to ENLIST across network domains.
• Possess one cloud security certification (for example, from CompTIA or Cloud Security Alliance) or one cloud-related technology certification (for example, Microsoft, VMware, IBM, AWS, or Google).
• At least one year of experience within the past five years providing executive-level technical briefings and presentations to senior personnel.
• Possess a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more cloud-related technology certifications, such as Microsoft, VMware, IBM, AWS, or Google certifications.
• One or more Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certifications.
• A DoDI 8570.01 Information Assurance System Architect and Engineer (IASAE) Level III certification.
• Meet the Department of Defense Manual (DoDM) 8140 Foundational Qualifications - Advanced Standard.

Contract / Work Environment

• Proposed ENLIST Key Personnel position supporting USMEPCOM, contingent upon award.
• Work at USMEPCOM Headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois. Attend occasional Headquarters planning/team-building activities and travel to CONUS/OCONUS locations as required.
• Work schedule must support Government technical coordination, engineering and modernization activities, testing, and required reviews.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship; meet IT-II/Tier 3 or Tier 3 Reinvestigation requirements; obtain a Common Access Card (CAC); and submit investigation and baseline/computing-environment certification documentation for onboarding.

About Nationwide IT Services

NIS is a CVE-verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and an IT and management consulting company. Our mission is to deliver value-added services to our customers, leveraging technology, people, and industry best practices to implement innovative solutions through our trusted employees and team members.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid holidays, PTO (sick/vacation), commuter benefits, employee assistance program (EAP), and educational reimbursement, along with Pet Insurance.

Salary range $185,000 to $225,000 annually

The salary range is a general guideline. We consider several factors when determining base salary offers, including the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's experience, education, and skills, and current market conditions.