Lead Systems Architect

Sara Software Systems, LLC; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sara Software Systems, LLC is seeking a Lead Systems Architect to define and drive the end-to-end architectural vision for a large-scale federal modernization program supporting the U.S. Census Bureau.

You will guide data, security, and cloud-native design across multiple teams and contractors in a hybrid Suitland, MD environment. The role requires 15+ years in enterprise or systems architecture, ability to obtain Public Trust, and strong executive communication to align mission objectives with

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in systems architecture, enterprise architecture, or related leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading large-scale IT modernization efforts.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Deep expertise in enterprise architecture across application, data, and infrastructure domains.
• Cloud-native design experience and patterns.
• Experience with high-volume data processing.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps principles and architecture.
• Executive-level communication and ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across major architecture and engineering efforts within the DTAM program.
• Define and implement enterprise architecture standards supporting cloud-native and data-centric systems.
• Guide modernization of legacy systems into modular, service-oriented, and cloud-native solutions.
• Establish and enforce architectural governance, including design reviews and technical standards.
• Collaborate with program leadership, engineers, and stakeholders to align architecture with mission objectives.
• Evaluate and select technologies, platforms, and tools aligned with long-term architectural strategy.
• Ensure systems meet requirements for performance, scalability, security, and data integrity.
• Support DevSecOps implementation through architecture that enables automation, security, and continuous delivery.
• Interface with senior government stakeholders to present architecture, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
• Mentor architects and engineers, driving consistency and technical excellence across teams.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Cloud architecture

Data architecture

Leadership

Executive communication

Tools

AWS

Azure

CI/CD

APIs

Job description

Location: Suitland, MD (Census HQ) area, Hybrid

Terms: Full-time

Clearance: Public Trust (must be able to obtain)

Sara Software Systems, LLC, founded in July 2004, is a small, woman-owned, minority-owned, SBA-certified 8(a) business delivering technology solutions to federal agencies and commercial organizations. We specialize in application development and modernization, Agile transformation, program management, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, business process reengineering, service desk, and IV&V services.

As a process-driven, quality-focused company appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 3 for both Development and Services, and certified at CMMC Level 2, we help our clients modernize mission-critical systems and achieve measurable outcomes.

Project Description

This position supports Sara Software Systems LLC’s federal customer, the U.S. Census Bureau, as part of an application transformation and modernization initiative.

This program is driving a large-scale transformation of systems into a data-centric, cloud-native ecosystem capable of supporting high-volume, near real-time data processing and advanced analytics. The work includes modernization of legacy applications, development of new cloud-native solutions, and implementation of DevSecOps and scaled Agile practices across the organization.

The core challenge: orchestrating complex, multi-contractor delivery while transforming both technology and operating models without disrupting mission-critical operations.

Position Description

As a Lead Systems Architect at Sara Software Systems LLC, you will define and drive the end-to-end architectural vision for a large-scale federal modernization program.

You will operate at both the strategic and execution levels—establishing architectural standards, guiding system design, and ensuring alignment across multiple teams, technologies, and stakeholders. You will directly influence how data is structured, processed, secured, and delivered across the enterprise.

This role requires a leader who can translate mission needs into scalable technical architectures, while navigating legacy constraints, cloud transformation, and organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across major architecture and engineering efforts within the DTAM program
• Define and implement enterprise architecture standards supporting cloud-native and data-centric systems
• Guide modernization of legacy systems into modular, service-oriented, and cloud-native solutions
• Establish and enforce architectural governance, including design reviews and technical standards
• Collaborate with program leadership, engineers, and stakeholders to align architecture with mission objectivesEvaluate and select technologies, platforms, and tools aligned with long-term architectural strategy
• Ensure systems meet requirements for performance, scalability, security, and data integrity
• Support DevSecOps implementation through architecture that enables automation, security, and continuous delivery
• Interface with senior government stakeholders to present architecture, tradeoffs, and recommendations
• Mentor architects and engineers, driving consistency and technical excellence across teams

Technical Environment

• Cloud-native transformation (AWS/Azure environments)
• Data-centric architectures and enterprise data ecosystems
• DevSecOps pipelines and CI/CD practices
• Legacy system modernization and refactoring

What You Bring (Requirements)

Baseline Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in systems architecture, enterprise architecture, or related technical leadership roles
• Proven experience designing and leading large-scale, complex IT systems or modernization efforts
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Technical Capabilities

• Deep expertise in enterprise architecture, including application, data, and infrastructure domains
• Strong experience with cloud architecture and cloud-native design patterns
• Experience designing systems for high-volume, high-velocity data processing
• Experience with system integration, API design, and service-oriented architectures
• Understanding of DevSecOps principles and architecture to support CI/CD and secure delivery
• Ability to balance modernization with legacy system constraints

Core Strengths

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate complex requirements into scalable architectures
• Strong decision-making capability with measurable impact on program outcomes
• Executive-level communication and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Ownership mindset with accountability for architectural direction and outcomes
• Ability to operate across multiple teams and drive alignment in complex environments

Nice to Have (Differentiators)

• TOGAF certification or equivalent enterprise architecture framework experience
• Cloud architecture certifications (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
• CISSP or strong background in secure system design
• Experience designing architectures that incorporate AI/ML capabilities