Software Systems Architect

Sphinx Defense; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 267,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employer 401(k) contribution

Profit sharing

Equity ownership

Job summary

Sphinx Defense is seeking a Software Systems Architect to lead the development of mission-critical software solutions supporting national security. This role involves collaboration across teams to define and own software architecture, with a focus on scalability and security.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in software development, architecture, and containerization technologies, requiring impactful leadership skills and a strong understanding of secure environments. This position is based in Chantilly, VA, and offers a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software development, programming, or software engineering.
• 7+ years of experience designing and implementing software architecture for mission‑critical systems.
• Strong knowledge of software design principles and distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the software and service architecture for mission-critical systems.
• Lead architecture decisions throughout the software lifecycle.
• Drive architecture standards, software design practices, and technical governance.

Skills

Software Development

Software Architecture

Embedded Systems

Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Technical Leadership

C2MS Experience

Systems Engineering Collaboration

Communication Skills

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud Platforms

Job description

ABOUT SPHINX

Sphinx builds software to solve complex national security problems in Space. Founded by engineers and technologists with deep experience across commercial and defense technology, we were frustrated by the outdated and insecure technology America's service members are forced to rely on. We're here to do better.

We’re focused on building modern, scalable products with an emphasis on using open source technologies. Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Sphinx Defense is hiring a Software Systems Architect to join our team and help shape the next generation of mission‑critical software and systems supporting national security and space missions. As a growing defense technology company, we develop innovative software solutions that enable secure, resilient, and operationally relevant capabilities across complex mission environments.

This Software Systems Architect role is designed for a highly technical leader who enjoys solving complex architecture challenges, driving software strategy, and guiding engineering teams through the design, implementation, integration, and sustainment of large‑scale mission systems. You thrive at balancing long‑term architectural vision with near‑term program execution and enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

In this role, you’ll work closely with Software Engineering, Program Leadership, Product Teams, Chief Engineers, customers, and software engineers to define and own the software architecture for mission systems solutions. You’ll serve as a key technical leader responsible for ensuring architecture decisions align with mission objectives, open architecture standards, and long‑term product strategy.

What you will be focusing on:

• Owning the software and service architecture for mission‑critical systems and establishing the technical vision and roadmap for future development.
• Defining and maintaining secure, scalable, and resilient software architectures that support mission requirements across multiple security domains.
• Leading architecture decisions throughout the software lifecycle, including design, implementation, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Designing and supporting containerized software architectures utilizing technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud‑native platforms.
• Partnering with Systems Engineering, Program Leadership, and software development teams to translate mission requirements, MBSE models, and system architectures into scalable software designs, service definitions, and interface specifications.
• Driving architecture standards, interface definitions, software design practices, and technical governance across engineering teams.
• Ensuring software teams develop and maintain architecture artifacts, requirements, interfaces, algorithms, and detailed design documentation.
• Supporting system‑level integration activities and ensuring software components are delivered and integrated successfully across mission systems.
• Evaluating technical approaches, technologies, and third‑party solutions to ensure alignment with architectural objectives and customer requirements.
• Providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and supporting technical growth across the organization.
• Supporting customer engagements, program reviews, proposals, and technical strategy discussion while collaborating with external platform providers and mission partners to align software architectures, deployment strategies, and infrastructure constraints.

You might be a good fit if you:

• Have 10+ years of experience in software development, programming, or software engineering.
• Have 7+ years of experience designing and implementing software architecture for embedded, distributed, or mission‑critical systems.
• Have 7+ years of experience supporting mission systems integration, system‑level testing, or software integration efforts.
• Have 7+ years of experience designing containerized software architectures using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Have experience developing, integrating, and deploying software within air‑gapped or highly secure environments while supporting geographically distributed, multi‑site development teams.
• Have experience working with C2MS (Command and Control Mission System) or similar command‑and‑control, mission management, and distributed software architectures supporting complex defense or space‑based systems.
• Have experience working with OCI (Open Container Initiative) standards and modern containerized software architectures.
• Have 7+ years of experience leading technical teams, architecture initiatives, or software engineering efforts.
• Have experience defining software architecture roadmaps and guiding implementation across multiple engineering teams.
• Possess strong knowledge of software design principles, distributed systems, APIs, microservices, and modern software development practices.
• Have experience collaborating with systems engineering teams to translate mission requirements into software solutions.
• Are comfortable working across multiple stakeholders, technical disciplines, and security domains.
• Possess strong communication skills and can effectively explain complex technical concepts to both engineers and executive stakeholders.
• Hold an active Secret clearance and be eligible to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access.

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience with satellite ground systems, mission operations, command and control, or mission planning systems.
• Experience developing software architectures for national security, defense, intelligence community, or space programs.
• Experience with distributed and containerized software architectures deployed in operational environments.
• Hands‑on experience developing software on Linux‑based platforms.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience supporting secure software development in classified environments.
• Familiarity with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts.
• Experience supporting software development across multiple security levels and mission environments.
• Experience developing technical artifacts and documentation for customer reviews and program milestones.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across cross‑functional teams.

LOCATION

This role can be based out of Colorado Springs, CO, Chantilly, VA, El Segundo, CA or Seal Beach, CA. This position requires approximately 25% travel, depending on program needs and where the selected candidate resides. We welcome consideration of exceptional candidates regardless of location, provided travel requirements can be met.

COMPENSATION

This role is between $225,000 and 267,500 base salary.

BENEFITS

Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be a US Citizen.

Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.

EEO STATEMENT

At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sphinx Defense is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

For more information about U.S. Security Clearances.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR.