Data Architect

SAIC; Maryland; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an experienced Data Architect to support a modernization program delivering open-architecture intelligence capabilities across cloud and tactical edge environments. You will serve as the technical authority for designing and governing the data architecture across enterprise systems.

Responsibilities include creating scalable data models, enforcing data standards, and ensuring secure data sharing across domains. Travel up to 10%; active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years in data architecture/engineering with defense programs.
• Experience designing enterprise-scale data architectures across multi-vendor domains.
• Familiar with agile frameworks and DevSecOps pipelines.
• Knowledge of data security and open-architecture standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and govern enterprise-scale data architectures for cloud and edge.
• Develop data models, ontologies, and exchange specs across domains.
• Advise stakeholders to ensure data requirements are traceable and verifiable.
• Validate data onboarding, logging, and retrieval across platforms.
• Support data config for DDIL environments and edge deployments.
• Lead data architecture discussions with vendors and government teams.

Skills

Data Architecture

Data Modeling

Ontology Development

Data Exchange Standards

Agile (SAFe/Scrum/Kanban)

DevSecOps

Zero Trust

MBSE

MIL-STD 2525

Education

Bachelor's Degree in CS/DS/IS/SE

Master's Degree preferred in DS/CS/IA

Tools

CI/CD Toolchains

Job description

SAIC is seeking an experienced Data Architect to support a mission-critical modernization program delivering a modular, adaptable software suite of essential capabilities across multiple warfighting functions. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority responsible for designing, governing, and optimizing the data architecture that underpins a modern, open-architecture intelligence platform spanning enterprise cloud and tactical edge environments.

This position operates across cloud and tactical edge environments, supporting data architecture design, implementation, and validation across the full software development lifecycle — from initial concept through fielding — in both garrison and deployed settings, including Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Low Bandwidth (DDIL) environments.

The work is to be performed at the customer site at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD.

This role is contingent upon award news in Fall 2026.

Full-Time, Day Job. Travel: Yes - 10% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and govern enterprise-scale data architectures that support modular, scalable, and resilient data management across cloud and tactical edge environments within an open-architecture framework
• Develop and maintain common data layer standards, data models, ontologies, and data exchange specifications that enable seamless bi-directional data sharing across multiple security domains and third-party systems
• Serve as the primary technical authority on data architecture, advising Government stakeholders, vendors, and development teams to ensure data requirements are accurately captured, communicated, traceable, and verifiable throughout the program lifecycle
• Evaluate and validate platform data capabilities including data onboarding and normalization, object databases, credential authority, data logging and alerting, retrieval and display, and correlation and combination services
• Support design and validation of tactical edge data configurations, ensuring data architecture approaches account for operations in DDIL environments
• Participate in product demonstrations, design reviews, and agile development cycles, providing rapid technical assessment of data architecture compliance against documented requirements and operational needs
• Collaborate with vendors, partners, integration SMEs, and Government stakeholders to identify and resolve data architecture risks, dependencies, and technical gaps throughout the program lifecycle

Qualifications

Required Clearance

• Active Secret clearance required
• TS/SCI Preferred

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Or Master's Degree preferred in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Architecture, or a related technical field

Required Experience

• Eight (8+) years of progressive experience in data architecture, data engineering, or a closely related field, with a minimum of three (3) years supporting defense, military, or interagency programs at the operational or acquisition level
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures across multi-vendor, multi-domain environments, with proficiency in data modeling, ontology development, and data exchange standards including structured and unstructured data formats
• Experience working within agile development frameworks such as SAFe, Scrum, or Kanban, with working knowledge of DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD toolchains, and automated data testing and validation methodologies
• Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture, data security frameworks, data governance principles, and the unique data management requirements of classified and multi-domain network environments
• Experience designing data solutions for cloud-based and tactical edge platforms, including the ability to architect and validate data pipelines and synchronization strategies that perform under DDIL conditions and constrained hardware environments
• Background in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles, open-architecture frameworks, and familiarity with military data standards, symbology, and interoperability protocols such as MIL-STD 2525
• Demonstrated ability to lead data architecture working groups, brief senior military, civilian, and interagency audiences, and drive technical consensus across multi-vendor and multi-functional teams in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.