Senior Platform Architect & Technical Lead (Gov AI)

AVP; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401k

Stock options

Home office budget

Paid holidays

Job summary

Defense Unicorns seeks a senior Technical Lead / Platform Solution Architect to embed with a government team as the go-to SME for platform architecture. You will align mission objectives with technical choices and guide engineers, OEMs, and security teams across multiple domains.

The role combines hands-on implementation with strategic planning, spanning AI/ML services, cloud infrastructure, security controls, and repeatable patterns for deployment and observability in a federal environment.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance and onsite in Springfield, VA.
• 8+ years in systems engineering, platform engineering, or solution architecture.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of Kubernetes/OpenShift and enterprise container platforms.
• Strong cloud, CI/CD, IaC, GitOps, APIs, networking, identity, secrets, and observability.
• Familiarity with NIST 800-53, RMF, ATO systems, zero-trust, and software supply chains.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end technical architecture across the platform ecosystem.
• Lead technical integration across Kubernetes/OpenShift, GitLab, AI/ML services, and data platforms.
• Identify dependencies, risks, bottlenecks, and debt early to protect schedules.
• Produce architecture diagrams, ADRs, and decision briefs for leadership.
• Collaborate with DevSecOps, Data, and AI teams to build an operational system.

Skills

Kubernetes

OpenShift

GitLab

CI/CD

AI/ML

Cloud infrastructure

Security controls

Zero-trust

Observability

Architecture leadership

Tools

NIST RMF

ADR tools

Job description

Defense Unicorns seeks a senior Technical Lead / Platform Solution Architect to embed with a government team as the go-to SME for platform architecture. You will align mission objectives with technical choices and guide engineers, OEMs, and security teams across multiple domains.

The role combines hands-on implementation with strategic planning, spanning AI/ML services, cloud infrastructure, security controls, and repeatable patterns for deployment and observability in a federal environment.