Principal Systems Architect

Xenon Innovations, Inc.; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Xenon Innovations, Inc. in Fairfax, VA, seeks an experienced Chief Architect to own end-to-end COMINT/SIGINT architectures across RF front end, digital processing, embedded software, data handling, and network layers.

You will defend architecture before customers and government boards, mentor engineers, lead risk mitigation, and guide technical strategy for modernization and capture efforts.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science.
• 12+ years in COMINT/SIGINT with chief engineer or equivalent responsibility.
• Proven fielded and operated systems.
• Experience across at least two domains: RF/analog, DSP, embedded software, or system integration.
• Ability to present technical positions to government customers.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end system architecture for COMINT systems across RF, processing, and networks.
• Set enforceable architectural standards to enable reuse across programs.
• Make build/buy decisions and manage technology insertion.
• Lead technical risk identification and mitigation.
• Defend architecture at government design reviews and interchange meetings.
• Lead technical volumes for proposals and capture efforts.
• Mentor senior engineers and establish engineering practices.

Skills

COMINT/SIGINT systems

RF/Analog

DSP

Embedded software

System integration

Technical leadership

Clearance eligible / TS/SCI

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science

MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science (preferred)

Job description

Description

You will set the architecture for multi-platform COMINT systems, make the decisions that determine what we can build and deploy and defend those decisions in front of customers, partners, and government technical review boards.

The role carries real weight. In a company of this size, the architect is not an advisory function and you will own chief engineer responsibility on assigned programs and your technical judgment will directly shape what the company builds.

What you will do

Architecture ownership

• Define end-to-end system architecture spanning RF front end, digital processing, embedded software, data handling, and network layers
• Establish and enforce architectural standards across programs so that capability developed once can be reused rather than rebuilt
• Own build/buy decisions, open architecture posture, and technology insertion planning
• Resolve cross-domain technical conflicts where subsystem-optimal decisions are system-suboptimal

Technology strategy

• Evaluate emerging processing, RF, and software technologies for applicability to the customer's modernization path
• Maintain awareness of where Navy and IC requirements are heading and position the company's technical baseline accordingly
• Identify and develop internal capability investments and IRAD direction

Program technical leadership

• Serve as chief engineer on assigned programs, with accountability for technical performance
• Lead technical risk identification and mitigation planning
• Present and defend architecture at government design reviews and technical interchange meetings

Business development support

• Lead technical volumes and solution architecture for proposals and capture efforts
• Support customer engagements, white papers, and technical briefings
• Assess teaming and partner technical fit

Engineering leadership

• Mentor senior and mid-level engineers; grow the depth of the technical bench
• Establish engineering practices, review standards, and technical documentation expectations
• Participate in technical hiring and evaluation

Requirements

Minimum qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related
• 12+ years across COMINT or SIGINT system design, including prior chief engineer, lead architect, or equivalent technical authority responsibility
• Demonstrated record of systems that were actually fielded and operated
• Depth across at least two of: RF/analog, digital signal processing, embedded software, system integration
• Proven ability to present and defend technical positions to government customers
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Preferred qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science, or related
• Chief engineer experience on an ACAT program of record
• Experience across multiple platform types; naval surface, undersea, airborne, ground mobile, ground fixed
• Familiarity with modular open systems approaches an applicable hardware/software standards
• Prior technical leadership in a small business environment where the architect also carries delivery responsibility
• Demonstrated success supporting competitive capture
• Active TS/SCI

Estimated Salary Range: $175,000-$300,000 per year

The salary range noted is intended as a general guide. Actual base salary offers from Xenon Innovations are determined based on several factors, including the position's scope and responsibilities, along with the candidate's experience, education, skill set, and prevailing market conditions.

Xenon Innovations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.