COMPUTER SCIENTIST (ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT)

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA); Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) NBIS seeks a Lead Software Architect to engineer enterprise-level software architectures supporting critical national security. You will drive the shift to Agile/MVP releases, establish security controls, governance on technical debt, and lead microservices initiatives within the Software Acquisition Pathway.

You will brief executives (OSW, CDAO) and coordinate across inter-agency teams to align architectural objectives, leveraging DoD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field; transcripts required.
• Experience transitioning from waterfall to Agile with MVPs and iterative releases.
• DoD Software Acquisition Pathway experience and RMF security controls knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition from waterfall to Agile/MVP releases for enterprise Architect role.
• Design and implement complex enterprise software architectures using microservices and APIs.
• Oversee programmatic documentation and monitor project expenditures per DoD guidance.
• Establish and enforce security controls and governance of technical debt across teams.
• Deliver authoritative briefings to executives to align inter-agency architecture goals.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Agile leadership

Strategic planning

Executive briefings

Education

B.S. in Computer Science

Math/CS coursework (calculus)

Tools

GitLab

API-first design

AWS cloud

Databricks

Job description

Summary

DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a Lead Software Architect to engineer enterprise-level software architectures supporting critical national security. The incumbent will drive the shift from waterfall to Agile/MVP releases, establish security controls, govern technical debt, & lead microservices initiatives using the Software Acquisition Pathway. Visit www.dcsa.mil to learn more about DCSA, America's Gatekeeper!

Duties

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As a COMPUTER SCIENTIST (ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT) you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Demonstrated experience transitioning from waterfall development to Agile environments, focusing on defining Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and managing iterative software releases.


• Expert ability to design and implement complex enterprise software architectures, specifically leveraging microservices and API-first initiatives for national security operations.


• Proven experience utilizing the DoD Software Acquisition Pathway (DODI 5000.87) to oversee programmatic documentation, evaluate financial inputs, and monitor project expenditures.


• Ability to establish and enforce strict security controls and technical debt governance across multidisciplinary development teams to mitigate risk and ensure system resilience.


• Experience serving as an authoritative technical advisor, delivering briefings to executive stakeholders (e.g., OSW, CDAO) to synchronize inter-agency architectural objectives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a US citizen


• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov


• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered


• This is a Drug Testing designated position


• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601


• Work Schedule: Full Time


• Overtime: Occasionally


• Tour of Duty: FlexiblePCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized


• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt


• Financial Disclosure: Required


• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.


• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.


• This position requires Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management and is expected to meet all related certification requirements per the Department of Defense Instruction 5000.66.


• However, applicants that do not meet this requirement are eligible to be hired but must obtain an Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner certification within 5 years (60 months) after the first day of starting in the position.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1550: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre‑accredited institutions.

• NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Computer Science Series 1550 for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 09/02/2026

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GG‑14) in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

Experience serving as an authoritative technical advisor responsible for strategic planning, engineering, and execution of complex enterprise software architectures. Experience leading multidisciplinary development teams using Agile software development methodologies following the software development lifecycle. Experience utilizing build tools (e.g., GitLab), integration patterns (e.g., API or similar tech), data architecture, data solutions implementation (e.g., Databricks), AWS cloud environments, and cybersecurity Risk Management Framework (RMF). Experience aligning emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics, with organizational Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) policies. Experience leading technical working groups and delivering authoritative technical briefings to executive-level internal and external stakeholders.

Specifically You Will Be Evaluated On The Following Competencies

• Information Technology Architecture: Knowledge of architectural methodologies used in the design and development of information systems, including the physical structure of a systems' internal operations and interactions with other systems.


• Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of the principles and methods to identify, analyze, specify, design, and manage functional and infrastructure requirements; includes translating functional requirements into technical requirements used for logical design or presenting alternative technologies or approaches.


• Software Engineering: Knowledge of software engineering design and development methodologies, paradigms, and tools; the software life cycle; software reusability; and software reliability metrics.


• Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to design systems that perform human intelligence functions.

Additional information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.

For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.

For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.

ACQUISITION POSITION:

This position requires a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 5 years (60 months) after entry into this position. For information regarding the DAWIA Back to Basics please visit: Home (dau.edu) or Back to Basics - Helpful Resources (dau.edu)

• DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management within required timeframes. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a \"Drug Test Statement of Understanding\" if you are selected for this position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.