Software Architect, Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life, disability, financial, &

retirement benefits

Paid leave

Professional development

Tuition assistance

Work-life programs

Dependent care

Recognition awards program

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking a Software Architect, Lead in Alexandria, VA to shape the technical direction of a mission‑led system that fuses multi‑INT data streams and AI agents. You’ll design scalable architectures and guide integration across distributed components with mission partners.

Apply with 8+ years in architecture, proficiency in Java/C++/Python, secure coding practices, and TS/SCI clearance. This role offers impactful technical leadership in a high‑stakes environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years designing or leading software architecture for distributed or mission-focused platforms.
• Experience creating architecture products, interface specs, or system design docs for complex software ecosystems.
• Proficient in Java, C++, or Python with secure coding practices.
• Experience with real-time data processing and multi-source data integration.
• Experience guiding engineering teams in Agile environments.
• Ability to translate mission needs into system requirements.
• Hold TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT or 10+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Shape technical direction of a mission-driven system and design scalable architectures.
• Evolve architectures to support distributed components and agent orchestration.
• Collaborate with engineering teams and mission partners to translate needs into designs.

Skills

Distributed software architectures

Architecture products & docs

Java / C++ / Python

Real-time / event-driven processing

Agile methodology

Technical tradeoff analysis

TS/SCI clearance

CS/IT degree or experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS or IT

10+ years of related experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Kafka

Pulsar

Kubernetes

Terraform

Cloud environments

Job description

Software Architect, Lead

This capability is transforming how mission stakeholders make sense of complex, multi‑INT environments. Built around a team of AI agents that fuse, detect, and forecast activity across diverse data streams, it gives operators and analysts a shared, explainable picture with every conclusion traceable to its source. As a Software Architect, you’ll shape the technical direction of this mission‑driven system, designing and evolving architectures that support scalable agent orchestration, physics‑informed analytics, and high‑assurance integration across distributed components. You’ll work closely with engineering teams and mission partners to translate emerging needs into system designs that accelerate insight, strengthen analytic confidence, and advance the capability’s ability to anticipate what matters next.

You Have:

• 8+ years of experience designing, developing, or integrating software systems, including leading architecture efforts for distributed or mission‑focused platforms
• Experience creating or maintaining architecture products, interface specifications, or system design documentation for complex software ecosystems
• Experience with modern software development using languages such as Java, C++, or Python, and applying secure coding and integration practices
• Experience with real‑time or event‑driven data processing, streaming, or multi‑source data integration patterns
• Experience guiding engineering teams through design decisions, code reviews, and implementation within Agile development environments
• Experience evaluating technical tradeoffs and translating mission or stakeholder needs into actionable system requirements and architecture direction
• TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in CS or IT, or 10+ years of experience with software engineering in lieu of a degree

Nice If You Have:

• Experience designing agent‑based or distributed decision systems, orchestration patterns, or autonomous component coordination
• Experience with physics‑informed analytics, signal processing, or multi‑INT data fusion approaches
• Experience with streaming frameworks, real‑time pipelines, or event‑driven architectures such as Pulsar, Kafka, or similar
• Experience with secure cloud environments, containerized workloads, or infrastructure automation tools such as Kubernetes and Terraform
• Experience building or integrating model‑driven or AI‑assisted capabilities into mission systems
• Experience mentoring engineering teams or shaping technical direction across multi‑disciplinary groups
• Possession of strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, for complex, multi‑source data ecosystems
• Master’s degree in CS, Engineering, or a related field

Compensation

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.

The projected compensation range for this position is $112,800.00 to $257,000.00 (annualized USD).

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Benefits

• Health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits
• Paid leave
• Professional development
• Tuition assistance
• Work‑life programs
• Dependent care
• Recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values.

Clearance

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; TS/SCI clearance is required.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

Our people‑first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings. Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility. Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility. Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

Know Your Rights Poster Accommodations

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please contact the Booz Allen Help Desk by calling 1-877-927-8278 or sending an email to [e-mail]. This option is reserved only for individuals who are requesting a reasonable workplace accommodation. It is not intended for other purposes or inquiries.

Data Privacy

For more information on how Booz Allen uses your information, please see our Careers Privacy Policy.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company delivering outcomes with speed for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities. We build technology solutions using AI, cyber, and other cutting‑edge technologies to advance and protect the nation and its citizens. By focusing on outcomes, we enable our people, clients, and their missions to succeed—accelerating the nation to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World®.