Systems Architect SME (TS or Q Clearance Required)

GD Information Technology, Inc.; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 187,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is seeking a Systems Architect SME to design, evaluate, and guide enterprise IT and cloud architectures for a U.S. government mission.

This on-site role focuses on DNS, Azure, AWS, cloud migrations, and mixed Linux/Windows environments to modernize infrastructure with security and scalability at the forefront. The candidate will present technical plans to stakeholders, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field.
• 15+ years of related experience required.
• Active Top Secret Clearance required or ability to obtain.
• US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted solutions architecture expert, shaping secure, scalable enterprise IT and cloud architectures.
• Assess requirements, evaluate alternatives, and recommend optimal designs for on-premises and cloud environments.
• Lead migration planning and execution for Azure/AWS workloads while ensuring security and performance.

Skills

AWS

Cloud Migrations

Cloud Solutions

Azure

Windows

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

Job description

Type of Requisition: Regular Clearance Level Must Currently Possess: Top Secret Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Top Secret Public Trust/Other Required: None Job Family: IT Infrastructure and Operations Job Qualifications: Skills: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cloud Migrations, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Windows Certifications: None Experience: 15 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required: Yes

Job Description

Transform technology into opportunity as a Systems Architect SME with GDIT supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In this mission-focused role, you’ll shape secure, scalable enterprise IT and cloud solutions that directly impact how a critical U.S. government agency operates. As a Systems Architect SME at GDIT, you will be a recognized technical leader responsible for designing, evaluating, and guiding enterprise and cloud architectures that align with business and mission needs. You will drive architectural decisions, modernize existing environments, and provide thought leadership on current and emerging technologies—especially around DNS, Azure, AWS, cloud migrations, on‑premises infrastructure, and Linux. This position is required to be on-site at one of the following locations: Germantown, MD, Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, NM, or Denver, CO.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT

You will play a crucial role via the following:

• Serve as a trusted solutions architecture expert, recognized as an industry leader in your domain.
• Identify and design solutions based on business and technical requirements; assess alternatives, analyze trade-offs, and recommend optimal architectures.
• Research and evaluate current and emerging technologies, tools, and methods, and recommend where to adopt, adapt, or refine processes and standards.
• Assess existing system and business process architectures and work with stakeholders to recommend improvements for performance, security, and efficiency.
• Ensure technical architecture teams deliver effective, scalable, and secure system and cloud solutions that support organizational goals and mission objectives.
• Develop, enhance, and maintain service design procedures and processes using established frameworks and methodologies.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations, test plans, and analytical briefings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Elicit and refine customer requirements, evaluate alternatives, and recommend products and configurations across software, platform, network, and cloud domains.
• Design, plan, and deploy DNS architectures with an emphasis on scalability, reliability, and security.
• Implement and optimize monitoring tools and alerts to proactively detect and address performance and security issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional IT teams to integrate on‑premises and cloud‑based solutions into the broader enterprise environment.
• Support and guide cloud migration initiatives, including assessment, planning, and execution of application and infrastructure migrations to Azure and AWS.
• Provide clear status updates on cost, schedule, risks, and quality to stakeholders and leadership.
• Coach and mentor less‑experienced professionals; may serve as a team or task lead.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
• Experience: 15+ years of related experience
• Technical Skills & Capabilities (Required): Deep expertise in DNS architecture, with the ability to clearly explain DNS concepts and intricacies to technical teams. Hands‑on experience designing and implementing solutions in Microsoft Azure and/or Amazon Web Services (AWS). Cloud migration expertise, including understanding of migration strategies and patterns (e.g., rehost, replatform, refactor) and experience supporting or leading migrations of workloads to Azure and/or AWS. Strong understanding of on‑premises infrastructure, including: VDI solutions Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) VMware technologies, including load balancing concepts and integrations Microsoft 365 / Office 365 (O365) services and integrations with on‑prem and cloud environments Experience with Linux (e.g., system administration, troubleshooting, integration in mixed Windows/Linux environments, and supporting Linux workloads on‑prem and in the cloud). Familiarity with DNS‑related and network services technologies such as Infoblox or similar platforms. Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Security Clearance Level: Must possess an active Top Secret Clearance –or– active DOE Q Access Authorization.
• US Citizenship Required.
• This position is subject to random drug screening.
• Location: On customer site in Germantown, MD, Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, NM, or Denver, CO.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities.
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals.
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off.
• Flexibility: Full-flex work week to own your priorities at work and at home.
• Community: Award‑winning culture of innovation and a military‑friendly workplace.

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY

The likely salary range for this position is $187,179 - $230,000. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Travel Required: Less than 10% Telecommuting Options: Onsite Work Location: USA MD Germantown Additional Work Locations: USA CO Denver, USA DC Washington, USA NM Albuquerque

Total Rewards at GDIT: Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post‑tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long‑term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process: 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 virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work: We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission‑ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans Opportunity. Owned From working with technologies like AI, cyber and cloud to careers in intelligence and health, we offer endless opportunities to apply your expertise to create a safer, smarter world.