Systems Architect (TS/Q clearance required)

General Dynamics Information Technology; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 165,750 - 224,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans

Paid vacation and leave

Disability and life insurance

Paid education and certification support

Access to cutting-edge technology

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology is seeking a skilled Systems Architect in Washington, DC to transform technology into opportunity, supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This role involves designing cloud architectures and guiding migrations, ensuring secure and scalable solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS degree, active security clearance, and 20+ years of experience. Benefits include competitive salary, comprehensive health plans, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of relevant experience or equivalent education.
• Active TS or Q-level clearance required.
• Deep expertise in DNS architecture.
• Hands-on experience in Azure and AWS.
• Cloud migration strategies experience.
• Understanding of on-premises infrastructure.
• Experience with Linux in mixed environments.
• Ability to communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design enterprise and cloud architectures.
• Drive architectural decisions and modernize environments.
• Assess existing systems and recommend improvements.
• Deliver technical presentations and briefings.
• Support cloud migration initiatives and provide status updates.

Skills

DNS architecture expertise

Cloud migration expertise

Microsoft Azure experience

Amazon Web Services (AWS) experience

Ability to explain technical topics

Linux system administration

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

VMware technologies

Infoblox

Job description

Job Summary

Transform technology into opportunity as a Systems Architect with GDIT, supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate, and guide enterprise and cloud architectures that align with business and mission needs.
• Drive architectural decisions, modernize existing environments, and provide thought leadership on DNS, Azure, AWS, and cloud migrations.
• 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 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.
• Elucidate customer requirements, evaluate alternatives, and recommend products and configurations across software, platform, network, and cloud domains.
• Design, plan, and deploy DNS architectures focused 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, and coach/mentor less‑experienced professionals.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 20+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Active TS or Q‑level clearance, or current/previous Q clearance.
• Deep expertise in DNS architecture and the ability to explain DNS concepts to technical teams.
• Hands‑on experience designing and implementing solutions in Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Cloud migration expertise, including strategies such as rehost, replatform, refactor, and experience leading migrations to Azure and/or AWS.
• Strong understanding of on‑premises infrastructure, including VDI solutions, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), VMware technologies, load‑balancing concepts, and integration with Microsoft 365 / Office 365.
• Experience with Linux 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.
• Random drug screening and U.S. citizenship required.
• Nice to have: MA/MS in a related field, experience with the Department of Energy (DOE), experience working with DISA STIGs and related compliance frameworks, relevant cloud certifications (Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).

Benefits

• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans (options including HSAs)
• Paid vacation, holidays, parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave
• Short‑term and long‑term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel insurance
• Paid education and certification support, internal mobility team, and professional development opportunities
• Access to cutting‑edge technology and complex, mission‑critical environments
• Competitive salary range: $165,750 – $224,250 based on experience and location

Working Conditions

• Weekly hours: 40
• Travel required: less than 10%
• Telecommuting options: onsite work required in Washington, DC

Equal Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans.