Systems Architect

Ardent Principles, Inc.

$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph clearance
  • 10+ years experience in systems architecture and design
  • Strong programming skills in Python and other languages such as C++, Go, or Rust
  • Proficient in Infrastructure-as-Code practices using tools like Ansible or Terraform
  • Experience with managing remote workstation clusters in cloud and on-premises environments

Responsibilities

  • Design and refine system architectures to meet customer requirements
  • Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies for process improvements
  • Lead teams in developing core platform logic and automation solutions
  • Implement automated resource scaling to adapt infrastructure to workload demands
  • Optimize hypervisor platforms for scalability and performance

Benefits

  • Highly competitive salary
  • Generous paid time off
  • Dedicated training budget for professional development
  • 100% employer-covered family health, vision, and dental insurance
  • 100% employer-covered life and disability insurance
  • 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match and full vesting from day one
  • 11 paid government holidays
  • Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
Full Job Description
Systems Architect

Application Deadline: 25 June 2026

Department: Data Analysis and Technology Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chantilly, VA

Description

REQUIRED: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
LOCATION: Full-time onsite in Chantilly, VA

We're looking for a Systems Architect with 10+ years experience who thrives in complex, highly automated environments and enjoys building solutions end-to-end. In this role, you'll design and refine system architectures, evaluate emerging technologies, develop cross-platform tooling, and implement automation that streamlines provisioning, scaling, and testing workflows. You'll work across Linux, Windows, multiple hypervisors, and hybrid cloud environments while contributing to core platform logic, API integrations, IaC practices, and low-level system interactions.

Key Responsibilities

In this challenging yet rewarding role, you are an integral part of what brings our Company's mission to life. You must have the following required skills, certifications and demonstrated experience in and/or with:

10+ years experience
  • Designing, evaluating, and recommending complex process improvements and new and emerging technologies to meet customer requirements, and experience leading teams to implement these solutions.
  • Developing in agnostic operations system-based platforms, across both Linux and Windows ecosystems to support diverse testing targets and experience leading teams in these environments.
  • Programming in Python and/or multiple coding languages, with a strong focus in developing core platform logic, managing scripts that orchestrate remote workstation resource deployment, and mentoring junior developers in coding best practices.
  • Designing and implementing end-to-end automation solutions that streamline environment provisioning and reduce manual intervention in testing workflows, and experience leading teams to develop and maintain these solutions.
  • Implementing logic for automated resource scaling, ensuring the infrastructure adapts to fluctuating workloads and testing demands, and experience leading teams to optimize resource allocation.
  • Automating and managing multiple hypervisor platforms (VMWare, KVM, etc.) to host complex, scalable, and highly customized environments, and experience leading teams to optimize these environments.
  • Programming efficiency in additional languages, such as C++, Go, or Rust, to optimize low-level hypervisor interactions, and experience leading teas to develop high-performance applications.
  • Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) experience, working with tools such as Ansible or Terraform, to manage and version control the underlying virtualized testing hardware and configurations, and experience leading teams to develop and maintain IaC practices.
  • Kernel and driver knowledge across Linux and Windows kernel drivers, to assist in deep-level application compatibility testing, and experience leading teams to develop and test low-level system components.
  • API development experience, designing and consuming APIs to bridge testing platforms with third-party monitoring, logging, or other tools, and experience leading teams to develop and maintain API-driven integrations.
  • Managing large-scale remote workstation clusters, focusing on high-availability and minimal latency for highly scalable resource capabilities, and experience leading teams to design and implement these environments.
  • Implementing and documenting SOPs of systems or networks.
  • Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with an ability to adapt to emerging issues and changing priorities under short deadlines.
  • Ability to quickly learn and stay abreast of leading-edge technologies.
  • Both on-premises and cloud deployment technologies and automation, and a proven track record of designing and implementing hybrid environments that leverage the strengths of both.
  • Ability to be detail oriented, organized, multitask, and be adaptable to shifting requirements.
  • Ability to work well both independently and as a team player.


What We Offer You
  • Highly Competitive Salary: Recognizing and rewarding your expertise and contributions.
  • Generous Paid Time Off: Providing ample time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
  • Dedicated Training Budget: Supporting continuous learning and professional development.
  • 100% Employer-Covered Family Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance: Ensuring comprehensive health coverage for you and your family.
  • 100% Employer-Covered Life and Disability Insurance: Offering financial security and peace of mind.
  • 401(k) Plan with a 6% Employer Match: Helping you plan and save for a secure retirement, with 100% vesting from day one.
  • 11 Paid Government Holidays: Observing national holidays to ensure time off with family and friends.
  • Spot Bonuses for Exceptional Performance: Rewarding outstanding contributions and achievements.

SCHEDULE:

This is a full-time position with consultants expected to be available and working onsite in Chantilly, VA during core hours.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of a team dedicated to driving positive change through technology. Apply now with our easy 3-minute, mobile-friendly initial application process. Your future starts here!

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Ardent Principles, Inc.

  • Systems Architect
    $120K — $150K *
    Chantilly, VA 20152 (Loudoun County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • Systems Administrator
    $90K — $120K *
    Chantilly, VA 20152 (Loudoun County)
    Information Technology
    In-Person
  • Data Scientist
    $90K — $130K *
    Chantilly, VA 20152 (Loudoun County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • Applications Developer
    $90K — $120K *
    Herndon, VA 20171 (Fairfax County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • IT Program Manager
    $100K — $130K *
    Mclean, VA 22101 (Fairfax County)
    Information Technology
    In-Person

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Systems Architect jobs: