Senior SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor with Security Clearance

FTS International, LLC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Short Term and Long-Term Disability

Retirement and Savings

Learning and Development opportunities

wellness programs

other optional benefit elections

Job summary

FTS International, LLC in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor to advise senior government leaders on next‑generation SIGINT architectures, evaluate options, and shape acquisition strategies. The role requires extensive systems engineering and DoD/IC acquisition knowledge.

Responsibilities include leading architecture trades, developing independent assessments, evaluating technology options, and producing executive‑level briefings and decision papers for

Qualifications

• TS/SCI with polygraph is required and active.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, architecture, SIGINT, or related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical results into actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of Intelligence Community and DoW acquisition processes and budget considerations.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences.
• Experience working in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.
• Understanding of FAR acquisition regulations and processes.
• Ability to develop strategic messaging, presentations, and decision-support materials.

Responsibilities

• Advise on next-generation SIGINT architecture concepts and strategies.
• Lead architecture trades analyzing mission performance, cost, schedule, risk, and scalability.
• Create independent technical assessments and recommendations for senior decisions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and prototypes to advance capabilities while managing risk and cost.
• Synthesize market research and analyses into clear recommendations for executives.
• Support development of acquisition documentation, SOWs, and related artifacts.
• Translate complex issues into clear executive-ready recommendations.
• Prepare executive briefings, decision papers, and strategic communications.
• Interface with senior stakeholders across IC, DoD, and industry.

Skills

TS/SCI with polygraph

Strong communication

Executive briefing

Cost/performace analysis

Acquisition processes knowledge (DoD//

Agile development practices

Cross-functional teamwork

Fast-paced environment

Strategic messaging

Education

BS STEM in engineering discipline

MS STEM in engineering discipline

DAWIA Level III (Program Management) or equivalent

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

Senior SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor

Location: Chantilly, VA

Job Code: 1669

# of Openings: 1

Employee Referral Bonus Eligible: Yes

FTS International, LLC (FTS) is committed to providing the Federal Government with quality consultants and support. To ensure mission success we focus on putting our customers first while minimizing corporate bureaucracy on our staff. We provide Subject Matter Experts (SME) free of Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) focused on independent analysis and mission support services within the disciplines of Engineering, Counter Terrorism Operations, Management, Information Technology, Signals Analysis. FTS has an opportunity for a Senior SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor in Chantilly, VA. The Senior SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor will serve as a trusted technical advisor, helping senior government leaders evaluate architectural alternatives, balance mission performance and affordability, identify opportunities for innovation, shape acquisition strategies, and communicate complex technical and programmatic issues to executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Advise the SIGINT Chief Architect and government leadership on next-generation SIGINT architecture concepts, technology options, and technical strategies
• Lead or support architecture trades and analyses evaluating mission performance, technical feasibility, cost, schedule, risk, scalability, and affordability
• Develop independent technical assessments, courses of action, and recommendations to inform senior‑level architecture and portfolio decisions
• Evaluate emerging technologies, innovative approaches, prototypes, and other opportunities to advance mission capability while controlling cost and technical risk
• Synthesize information from market research, government studies, engineering analyses, and other sources into clear recommendations and actionable paths forward
• Support development and execution of portfolio activities acquiring cutting‑edge SIGINT capabilities and prototypes
• Develop and evaluate acquisition strategies that translate architectural objectives and customer vision into executable programs
• Advise government technical and acquisition personnel on requirements, acquisition approaches, program development, and implementation
• Assess technical and cost considerations associated with proposals, designs, performance data, and alternative acquisition approaches
• Identify opportunities to improve affordability, reduce lifecycle costs, manage technical risk, and accelerate delivery of mission capabilities
• Support development of acquisition documentation, technical and programmatic requirements, acquisition packages, SOWs, CDRLs, and related artifacts as appropriate
• Translate complex technical, architectural, acquisition, cost, and mission issues into clear recommendations for senior government leaders
• Develop executive briefings, decision papers, strategic messaging, point papers, reports, and other materials that clearly articulate customer vision, mission value, investment priorities, and recommended courses of action
• Interface effectively with senior stakeholders across the Intelligence Community, Department of War, acquisition organizations, technical organizations, and industry
• Support strategic communications that build understanding and alignment around portfolio priorities, architectural decisions, and acquisition strategies

Required Skills / Qualifications:

• TS/SCI with polygraph
• BS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, architecture, SIGINT, space systems, acquisition, or a related technical discipline
• Demonstrated ability to perform rigorous technical and cost/performance analysis and translate results into actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated understanding of Intelligence Community and/or Department of War acquisition processes, documentation, and budgetary considerations
• Strong written, oral, briefing, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic, cross‑functional environment and independently drive work to completion
• Working knowledge of the FAR, applicable acquisition regulations and policies, contract types, and acquisition processes
• Ability to develop high‑quality strategic messaging, presentations, point papers, reports, and decision‑support materials

Desired Skills / Qualifications:

• MS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in RF payload development, payload systems engineering, digital signal processing, SIGINT systems, or related technical disciplines
• Demonstrated experience advising senior government leaders and influencing significant technical, architectural, programmatic, or acquisition decisions
• Deep experience with DoW and Intelligence Community acquisition cycles, acquisition documentation, and budgetary processes
• Experience with cost estimation techniques, cost modeling, and cost/performance trade analysis
• Experience developing architectural representations to inform senior management decision‑making
• Experience with model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and practices
• DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management or equivalent acquisition/program management experience
• Experience with Agile development practices
• Hands‑on industry experience with RF payload engineering, integration, and test
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies, prototypes, commercial capabilities, or innovative acquisition approaches
• Familiarity with NSA capabilities and organization
• Familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Engineering/Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile development, cloud technologies

Compensation & Benefits:

Expected Salary Range: $182,000 - $205,000 per year. Placement within the range is determined by qualifications, job‑related criteria, experience, internal equity and market considerations.

FTS International, LLC has benefits offerings in addition to salary to include Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.

• Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement and Savings
• Learning and Development opportunities
• wellness programs
• other optional benefit elections

FTS International, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer - vets/disabled.