Solutions Architect SME

Leidos; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks an experienced Solutions Architect SME to lead the Chinook Program for an Intelligence Community application. You will guide architecture across software, cloud, data, integration, and security, influencing strategy and delivering mission-critical capabilities.

The role requires top-secret/SCI clearance, proven leadership, and the ability to translate complex requirements into practical engineering solutions across multiple locations including Gaithersburg, MD; Tucson, AZ;

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience as a Solutions Architect or similar senior role.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred; Doctorate optional.
• Significant experience designing enterprise or mission-critical applications.
• Strong experience with software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, data, and cloud technologies.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into executable technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the application and its architecture across domains.
• Define end-to-end solution architecture for application, cloud, data, integration, security, and infrastructure.
• Translate mission and functional requirements into secure, scalable, maintainable solutions.
• Develop architecture roadmaps, reference architectures, and design patterns; lead trade studies.
• Provide technical direction to engineering teams and ensure alignment with standards.
• Lead cloud and DevSecOps architecture efforts, including CI/CD, IaC, observability, resiliency, and disaster recovery.
• Integrate security and mission assurance into architecture decisions from the start.
• Support Agile and SAFe execution through PI Planning and release readiness.
• Define and govern integration strategies and API standards across components and external systems.
• Communicate decisions and tradeoffs to leadership and stakeholders in mission/business terms.
• Mentor engineers and promote modernization and reduction of technical debt.

Skills

Software Architecture

Distributed Systems

APIs

Cloud Technologies

Systems Integration

Security-aware design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Master’s degree in a technical field

Doctorate in a technical domain (optional)

Job description

Build What Matters. Architect What's Next.

Are you ready to shape the technology behind mission-critical capabilities? Leidos is seeking an exceptional Solutions Architect Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join the Chinook Program supporting an application for an Intelligence Community (IC) customer. This is an accomplished architect and technical leader to take on complex engineering challenges, influence solution strategy, and help deliver secure, scalable, high-performing capabilities that directly support an important mission.

As a Solutions Architect SME, you'll serve as the senior technical authority for the Chinook Program, providing architecture leadership for the application and its supporting technical ecosystem. The Solutions Architect will work across software engineering, systems engineering, DevSecOps, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, testing, and program leadership to ensure the application evolves through cohesive, scalable, secure, and sustainable architecture.

The position requires a highly experienced technical leader who can operate at both the strategic and hands-on levels establishing architectural direction while working closely with engineering teams to solve difficult technical problems and deliver mission capabilities.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable influencing technical decisions across multiple teams, communicating architecture to senior stakeholders, and translating complex mission requirements into practical engineering solutions.

Position may be performed in the following locations below.

• Tucson, AZ
• Gaithersburg, MD
• Alexandria, VA
• Chantilly, VA
• Englewood, CO
• St. Louis, MO

Clearance Level Required:

Active Top Secret/SCI with the ability to successfully pass a Polygraph examination.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the application, defining and evolving end-to-end solution architecture across application, cloud, data, integration, security, and infrastructure domains.
• Translate mission, business, operational, functional, and non-functional requirements into secure, scalable, resilient, and maintainable technical solutions.
• Develop architecture strategies, roadmaps, reference architectures, and design patterns, and lead trade studies to recommend solutions based on mission value, feasibility, risk, cost, performance, and maintainability.
• Provide technical direction to engineering teams, review designs, resolve cross-team technical issues, and ensure implementation aligns with approved architecture and standards.
• Lead cloud and DevSecOps architecture efforts, including cloud-native design, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, automated deployment, observability, resiliency, and disaster recovery.
• Integrate security and mission assurance into architecture decisions from the start of the development lifecycle, including risk identification and mitigation.
• Support Agile and SAFe execution through PI Planning, backlog refinement, architecture runway development, dependency management, and release readiness activities.
• Define and govern integration strategies, API and interface standards, and interoperability approaches across application components and external systems.
• Communicate architecture decisions, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to program leadership, customer stakeholders, and technical teams in terms of mission and business impact.
• Mentor engineers and technical leaders, promote engineering excellence and continuous improvement, and drive modernization and reduction of technical debt.

Basic Qualifications:

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 12-15 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in a technical domain.
• 12+ years of progressive experience as a Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect, Systems Architect, Software Architect, or equivalent senior technical role.
• Significant experience designing and implementing complex enterprise or mission-critical applications.
• Strong experience with software architecture, distributed systems, system integration, APIs, data, and cloud technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex requirements into executable technical solutions.