Lead Systems Architect

Job Summary

We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME)-level Lead Systems Architect to define and govern the System of Systems (SoS) architecture for the U.S. Census Bureau's Decennial Transformation and Application Modernization (DTAM) effort. This role provides technical and management leadership on major architecture and engineering assignments, establishing goals and plans that meet project objectives across on-premises, SaaS, and multi-cloud environments. The Lead Systems Architect performs gap analyses, develops architecture roadmaps and standards, and ensures solutions are cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with USCB Enterprise Architecture. Decision-making and domain knowledge may have a critical impact on overall program implementation. May supervise others.

Responsibilities

• Review and assess current Decennial and enterprise systems architecture footprints across on-prem, SaaS, and multi-cloud, and perform a gap analysis with documented findings and recommendations
• Develop, document, and maintain a system architecture and engineering roadmap and associated schedules
• Establish and maintain systems architecture and engineering standards, processes, and procedures for SoS service providers, including coding standards for auditing and logging
• Develop and maintain Decennial systems engineering plans, including the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), Systems Engineering Plan, and Software Developer Guide
• Create and maintain a Decennial Census Program Interface Catalog with all interface definitions and detail
• Develop and maintain the Decennial SoS architecture and Line of Business Architecture documents
• Lead application rationalization and system assessments, mapping current/intended states to target states based on established architecture standards, templates, and patterns
• Establish, update, and maintain architecture artifacts in alignment with USCB Enterprise Architecture
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in ongoing architecture and engineering reviews to verify alignment with standards and guidelines
• Collaborate with internal and external service providers, solution providers, and third-party vendors to implement architecture processes
• Support program risk management by identifying, documenting, analyzing, and managing architecture-related risks and issues

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 systems architecture assignments (SME level)

Required Skills

• Expert experience designing System of Systems (SoS) and enterprise architectures across hybrid on-prem and multi-cloud environments
• Demonstrated ability to perform architecture gap analyses, develop roadmaps, and establish standards, patterns, and reference architectures
• Experience developing SEMP, interface catalogs, and Line of Business / SoS architecture documentation
• Strong background in application rationalization and modernization strategy
• Experience aligning solutions with enterprise architecture frameworks and governance boards

Certifications

Desired:

• The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
• Cloud Architecture certification (AWS / Azure / Google)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Desired Skills

• Experience with large-scale federal modernization or data-centric cloud transformation programs
• Familiarity with DevSecOps, microservices, containerization, and cloud-native design patterns
• Experience leading Engineering Working Group (EWG) or Technical Review Board (TRB) sessions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive briefing to senior Government stakeholders

Security Clearance

• U.S. Citizenship required

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.