Lead Application Architect

Job Summary

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME)-level Lead Application Architect to design and define the overall structure and framework of applications within the U.S. Census Bureau's Decennial Transformation and Application Modernization (DTAM) effort. This role provides technical and management leadership on major application architecture assignments, establishing standards, patterns, and types that prioritize interoperability, reliability, scalability, security, and other DevSecOps dimensions. The Lead Application Architect develops secure multi-cloud application architectures and ensures alignment with Decennial business and operations plans and governance. Decision-making and domain knowledge may have a critical impact on overall program implementation. May supervise others.

Responsibilities

• Establish, document, and maintain application architecture standards, patterns, and types prioritizing interoperability, reliability, availability, performance, scalability, extensibility, and security
• Develop and maintain tools, processes, documentation, and templates required to manage the Application Architecture
• Develop, document, and maintain secure multi-cloud application architectures using microservices, infrastructure as code, serverless computing, and containerization
• Perform business and solution architecture activities to model requirements in alignment with Decennial architecture goals
• Create and maintain application architecture artifacts and brief governance boards as requested by the Government
• Perform reviews and assessments of current and proposed application architecture and provide recommendations that meet business needs
• Develop, document, and maintain Concepts of Operations based on business requirements by application
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain API standards and best practices, including API management, discovery, security, and governance
• Implement application lifecycle management practices aligned with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and API security requirements
• Develop and maintain application architectures consistent with Decennial FinOps procedures, including automated cost monitoring and optimization
• Participate in Engineering Working Group (EWG) reviews and other governance boards, providing technical recommendations

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field
• 15+ years of experience providing technical and management leadership on major application architecture assignments (SME level)

Required Skills

• Expert experience defining application architecture standards, patterns, and reference architectures
• Demonstrated ability to design secure multi-cloud application architectures (microservices, IaC, serverless, containerization)
• Strong background in API management - design, security, discovery, and governance
• Experience aligning application lifecycle management with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
• Experience developing Concepts of Operations and briefing architecture governance boards

Certifications

Desired:

• Certified Solutions Architect (AWS / Azure / Google Cloud Professional)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• DevOps Certification

Desired Skills

• Experience with application FinOps cost optimization and automated monitoring
• Familiarity with DevSecOps CI/CD and cloud-native best practices
• Experience with large-scale federal modernization or System of Systems (SoS) programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive briefing to senior Government stakeholders

Security Clearance

• U.S. Citizenship required

More About B&A:

Notable Clients
B&A has grown to be a company that is trusted by our clients for exceptional service, innovative solutions, and inspired employees. Our service extends through federal, state, and local Government, the private sector, and higher education. Some of our notable clients include Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Senate, U.S. Courts, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Navy, and more.

Benefits and Programs

B&A is proud to offer three robust individual and family medical plans to full time employees, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) option as well as two tiers of dental coverage, vision, life & AD&D, disability, accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance. In addition to these benefits, B&A employees enjoy paid time off, B&A sponsored trainings and certifications, pet insurance benefits, commuter transit benefits and a free subscription to a virtual exercise platform (NEOU). B&A's 401(k) plan is available to all employees and includes a company matching contribution.

B&A has launched several programs to focus on employee engagement, wellness, and assistance. These include:

• The B&A Cares program: 30/60/90-day wellness check ins, personal development, financial management, and stress management seminars, and more
• A formal mentorship program
• Job shadowing and cross training opportunities
• Brand Ambassador program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Access to various support resources to include counseling, legal guidance, financial planning, and more
• Monthly teambuilding events
• B&A Annual Wellness Challenges: #StepWithB&A, #WalkDuringLunchWithB&A, #VolunteeringWithB&A, #ExerciseDuringLunchWithB&A, and more

At B&A, we place significant importance on improving the communities and lives of citizens across the nation through our involvement, technology expertise, and employees. B&A puts an emphasis on charitable efforts in the Northern Virginia area, including Capital Area Food Bank pantry drives, book donations, Hope for Henry Foundation events, and many more. In recognition of all these efforts, B&A has been named a Companies as Responsive Employers (CARE) award recipient by Northern Virginia Family Services and nominated by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award.