Data Architect, Secret Clearance

Blue Sky Innovators, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

401k contribution

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Blue Sky Innovators, Inc. is seeking a senior Data Architect to provide principal-level advisory and thought leadership to DARPA executives, shaping cybersecurity strategies and data systems for high-risk research programs.

You will design, develop, and manage enterprise data architecture that enables secure, scalable, and interoperable operations across sensitive portfolios. You will collaborate with cybersecurity teams, lead architecture reviews, and guide analytics initiatives while ensuring

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise systems design.
• Experience in defense, intelligence, or high-security environments.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).
• Knowledge of data governance, data modeling, and architecture frameworks (TOGAF, DoDAF).
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise-level data architecture frameworks across defense systems and platforms.
• Develop data models, standards, and governance policies for data integrity.
• Integrate data from multiple classified and unclassified sources for operational readiness and analysis.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure security compliance and data protection.
• Support AI/ML initiatives and real-time data processing for research and strategic applications.
• Establish metadata management, data lineage, and master data management practices.
• Optimize data storage, retrieval, and processing for high-performance environments.
• Lead data architecture reviews and provide guidance to engineering and analytics teams.
• Ensure compliance with DoD data strategy and interoperability requirements.

Skills

Data architecture

Data engineering

Enterprise systems design

Cloud platforms

Security clearance

TOGAF/DoDAF

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS / Data Engineering / Information Systems

Job description

Job Description

Mission Summary

This Data Architect role provides principal-level advisory and thought leadership to senior DARPA executives, including the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and senior ITD Staff. As a Data Architect, you will be a key strategic resource, shaping the agency's approach to cybersecurity across its most advanced and sensitive technology portfolios. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy to provide strategic foresight, critical technical analysis, and authoritative guidance, ensuring that security is an enabler of innovation for DARPA's high-risk, high-reward programs. The Data Architect is responsible for designing, developing, and managing enterprise data architecture to support strategic research, operations, analytics, and mission-critical decision-making. This role ensures that data systems are secure, scalable, interoperable, and aligned with national security objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise-level data architecture frameworks across defense systems and platforms
• Develop data models, standards, and governance policies to ensure consistency, quality, and integrity
• Integrate data from multiple classified and unclassified sources to support operational readiness and analysis
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance with security protocols and data protection regulations
• Support advanced analytics, AI/ML initiatives, and real-time data processing for research and strategic applications
• Establish metadata management, data lineage, and master data management practices
• Optimize data storage, retrieval, and processing for high-performance environments
• Lead data architecture reviews and provide technical guidance to engineering and analytics teams
• Ensure compliance with federal standards (e.g., DoD data strategy, security frameworks, interoperability requirements)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise systems design
• Experience working in defense, intelligence, or other high-security environments
• Strong knowledge of database systems (SQL/NoSQL), data warehousing, and distributed data platforms
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, etc.)
• Knowledge of data governance, data modeling, and architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, DoDAF)
• Active security clearance (e.g., Secret or Top Secret) or ability to obtain one

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark, Kafka)
• Background in AI/ML data pipelines and analytics infrastructure
• Familiarity with geospatial, signals, or intelligence data systems
• Certifications in cloud architecture or data management (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, DAMA-CDMP)
• Experience with high performance computing (HPC)
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems-level design
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate in high-pressure, mission-critical environments
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Commitment to data security, ethics, and confidentiality

Work Environment

This position may operate in secure government facilities and requires adherence to strict information security protocols. Some travel may be required to support operations and interagency coordination.

Impact of Role

The Data Architect plays a critical role in enabling data-driven research and support operations, enhancing situational awareness, and ensuring that decision-makers have timely, accurate, and secure access to information.

Salary range for the position is $150,000 - $250,000 per year. Specific compensation will be determined by several factors including experience, education, skills, and knowledge. We also offer medical/dental/vision benefits and 401k contribution.

Blue Sky Innovators, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a qualified job seeker with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, please email us at [e-mail] and provide your name and contact information. Please note: this is only for job seekers with disabilities requesting an accommodation.