Systems of Systems Architect

Apex Systems; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life, and DIS

HSA

401K with company match after 12 mo

ESPP

On-demand training

Certification discounts

Job summary

Apex Systems seeks a System-of-Systems Architect to define and evolve architecture for a large federated set of systems and services within a national security program.

The role requires 12-month contract-to-hire, on-site work in Reston, VA, and active eligibility for a TS/SCI clearance. You will collaborate with government stakeholders, MBSE modelers, and software teams to ensure cohesive, scalable mission capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field; additional experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Approximately 10+ years in systems engineering, architecture, or related areas.
• Experience with DoDAF and MBSE methodologies for architecture artifacts.
• Ability to obtain/maintain U.S. DoD security clearance; citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve end-to-end architecture for a complex ecosystem of systems.
• Develop architecture artifacts using DoDAF and MBSE; maintain models.
• Lead trade studies, analyses, and technology assessments for modernization.
• Provide technical leadership to small teams and coordinate with government stakeholders.

Skills

Systems engineering

System architecture

DoDAF

MBSE

DoD/IC environments

Stakeholder briefing

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering/CS/CE

Master’s degree (desired)

Tools

SysML

UML

UAF

MBSE tools (Cameo, MagicDraw, Rhapsody, EA)

Job description

Job#: 3056062

Job Description:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.

Systems of Systems Architect

Apex Systems is currently hiring a System-of-Systems Architect to support a large federal client’s mission-critical national security program. This individual will define and evolve the end-to-end architecture for a complex ecosystem of interconnected systems, services, and platforms. The System-of-Systems Architect will work closely with government stakeholders, program leadership, systems engineers, software teams, cybersecurity specialists, and operational users to ensure diverse systems integrate into a cohesive, resilient, and scalable mission capability.

This is a 12-month contract-to-hire opportunity supporting an Air Force software acquisition program. The position requires full-time onsite work in a classified environment in Reston, Virginia.

Project Details / Mission Supported:

• Support the DIFC2 project under the CBC2 program, an Air Force initiative associated with the ABMS IDIQ.
• Contribute to a software acquisition program focused on enabling and executing low-range kill chains.
• Develop and maintain system-of-systems architecture across operational, logical, physical, and data views.
• Collect, analyze, and translate information from architecture models into actionable engineering and program recommendations.
• Define end-to-end system interfaces, integration patterns, and data exchanges across multiple systems and mission domains.
• Create and maintain architecture artifacts using DoDAF, Model-Based Systems Engineering methodologies, and applicable modeling approaches.
• Lead architecture trade studies, alternatives analyses, and technology assessments to support modernization and capability evolution.
• Ensure traceability from mission objectives and operational needs through requirements, architecture, design, integration, and implementation.
• Partner with systems engineers, MBSE modelers, software teams, and cybersecurity professionals to align architecture models with implementation roadmaps.
• Develop architecture roadmaps, transition plans, technical insertion strategies, interface documentation, and supporting technical materials.
• Support technical reviews and governance activities, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and architecture review boards.
• Provide technical leadership to small engineering teams and communicate architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with government customers and multi-contractor teams in a SCIF environment.
• Participate in weekly team scrums and broader biweekly program collaboration involving approximately 27 team members.

Qualified candidates will have the following experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Additional applicable experience may be considered in lieu of a degree based on contract requirements.
• Approximately 10 or more years of systems engineering, system architecture, enterprise architecture, or related experience. Candidates with fewer years may be considered if they possess a strong foundational background and directly relevant experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of both system architecture and systems engineering principles.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering and architecture modeling.
• Experience using the Department of Defense Architecture Framework, or DoDAF, to develop and maintain architecture products.
• Experience collecting, interpreting, and documenting information from architecture models.
• Experience drafting architecture artifacts, technical documentation, interface documentation, models, diagrams, roadmaps, or related engineering materials.
• Experience architecting systems within relevant mission domains such as space systems, air systems, intelligence systems, C4ISR, or similar DoD or Intelligence Community environments.
• Experience defining interfaces and supporting integration across multiple independent systems, services, stakeholders, or mission domains.
• Familiarity with SysML, UML, UAF, MBSE tools, interface control documents, data models, or sequence diagrams.
• Understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture and design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Ability to work effectively on a small engineering team while collaborating across a larger, multidisciplinary program.
• Strong communication and briefing skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Professional, collaborative, solutions-oriented approach when working in close proximity to government customers.
• Ability to work effectively with different personalities, receive feedback, and contribute to a respectful, low-drama team environment.
• Ability to travel up to approximately 10%, although travel is expected to be limited.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting Air Force, Intelligence Community, DoD C4ISR, space, air, intelligence, or other mission-critical systems.
• Experience with SysML modeling tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, Rhapsody, or Enterprise Architect.
• Familiarity with software-intensive and distributed systems, including APIs, messaging, service-oriented architectures, or microservices.
• Experience with cloud environments, containerization, orchestration, digital engineering environments, simulation, analytics, or CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity, zero trust, RMF, NIST, or NIST 800-53 requirements.
• Experience developing enterprise, portfolio, or capability evolution roadmaps.
• Relevant certifications such as INCOSE CSEP or ESEP, TOGAF, SAFe Architect, CISSP, Security+, or an AWS/Azure architecture certification.

Location: fully on-site in Reston, Virginia 20190; free parking is available

Clearance Level: TS/SCI

Employment Model: 12-month contract-to-hire

Salary/Pay Range: $200,000–$230,000 annually upon conversion, based on experience and qualifications

Travel: Up to 10%; limited travel is expected

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be able to maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment. (sponsorship unavailable at this time)

• medical, dental, vision, life, disability and other insurance plans offering an optional layer of financial protection.
• ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program allowing contributions within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure.
• HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan).
• SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions.
• corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• on-demand training program.
• access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure.
• certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA.
• dedicated customer service team for Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach.
• access to full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

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