Chief Architect

Why This is an Exciting Role:

This BI&A PRIME contract is seeking a Chief Architect to join their program. You will help oversee teams of engineers & developers that build and enhance high-visibility, collaborative web application tools used in the day-to-day mission, across the customer enterprise and across the broader Intelligence Community (IC). Your work will enable data to be updated and shared in real-time and will help drive more informed and timely decisions in matters of national security.

Core Responsibilities Architecture Ownership & Governance
• Define and maintain the system architecture baseline (hardware, software, topology, interfaces, data, security)
• Approve and adjudicate architectural changes
• Ensure the implemented solution satisfies all contract technical requirements
• Safeguard architectural integrity even through cost and schedule pressures

System Solution Formulation
• Conceptually formulate integrated system solutions that meet operational needs and user requirements
• Define hardware and software design criteria
• Identify appropriate COTS, reuse, and modernization components
• Perform trade studies evaluating performance, cost, schedule, risk, reliability, and security

Integration & Interface Definition
• Define interface and interconnect specifications
• Ensure system-of-systems integration across MPO environments
• Support verification and test planning for requirements and interfaces
• Participate in major lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)

Performance, Risk & Technical Stewardship
• Plan and execute analyses and modeling to assess performance, availability, reliability, and operational suitability
• Identify architectural risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation strategies
• Identify required subject matter expertise, tools, and techniques to meet technical objectives
• Act as the technical conscience of the program, ensuring solution quality is not compromised

Technology Roadmap, Modernization & Future Solutioning
• Develop and maintain a forward-looking technology roadmap aligned with MPO strategic objectives
• Evaluate emerging technologies and define transition strategies for modernization
• Conceptually shape future system enhancements and capability expansions
• Support technical solution development for follow-on efforts, contract modifications, and growth opportunities
• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to ensure architectural continuity between current program execution and future solutions
• Ensure proposed enhancements align with the established architecture baseline and long-term system vision

Engineering Innovation & AI-Enabled Transformation
• Define and execute a strategic roadmap for AI-enabled engineering transformation within the program
• Lead responsible integration of Generative AI into systems engineering and software development activities
• Implement AI-assisted capabilities
• Requirements analysis and traceability
• Code generation and review
• Automated test development
• Compliance and documentation automation
• Establish governance and guardrails to ensure AI adoption aligns with MPO policies, federal AI directives, and Zero Trust principles
• Ensure innovation enhances quality, compliance, and mission effectiveness in a regulated environment

Stakeholder Engagement
• Work closely with MPO stakeholders, engineers, managers, and users to ensure risks, issues, and solutions are clearly communicated
• Partner with the Program Manager and Chief Engineer to align technical execution with customer vision
• Serve as the senior technical interface for architectural matters

Experience and Qualifications:

To be eligible for this demanding position, the ideal candidate should demonstrate the following experience and qualifications:

Required Education and Years of Experience:

• Twenty (20) or more years of experience with web application and/or front-end languages and technologies plus a Bachelor's degree in System Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required OR Twenty-five (25) years of development experience may be substituted for candidates without a qualifying bachelor's degree.

Required Qualifications:
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph Clearance
• Experience leading teams well, with the ability to provide guidance to all levels of team systems engineers, developers, and testers, as required.
• Experience managing multiple teams with numerous technical interfaces to internal and external customers
• Experience designing and developing key architectures to help integrate web-based UI components with an enterprise backend solution, including the use of cloud technologies
• Experience leading design of data models and data repository schemas of an existing application to support new data items, develop new data mining, and data ingest processes for new data.
• Experience testing applications interfacing with REST-based APIs/services.
• Experience leading software testing and troubleshooting of software issues for SIGINT systems using test-driven development frameworks.

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience with writing Linux based scripts to facilitate application integration using a one or more appropriate server-side languages (i.e. Shell, Python, etc.)
• Experience modifying the repository schema of an existing application to support new data items, develop data mining and data ingest processes for new data, and support integration with middle-tier and back-end APIs
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executives, customers, and technical teams across different engineering disciplines.
• Experience working in an Agile software development environment and/or experience using Jira/Confluence are highly desirable
• Experience building applications for 508 compliance

Telework/Remote Availability: Hybrid work authorized

Work Location(s): Annapolis Junction, MD

Summary Pay Range:

Please note that the information shown below is a general guideline only. Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

$216,000 - $270,000

Expected Closure Date:

Applications for this position will be accepted through July 31, 2026