SME Solution Architect Lead

This Department of War enterprise data and analytics program delivers mission-critical capabilities that enable leaders across the Department to make faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale. Leidos Digital Modernization sector is seeking an experienced SME Solution Architect Lead to support the delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products used across multiple DoD organizations.

In this role, you will work alongside government partners, engineers, and other industry teammates to translate operational and strategic requirements into scalable, production-ready solutions. You will contribute directly to product planning, execution, and continuous improvement—helping ensure capabilities are delivered efficiently, aligned to mission priorities, and positioned for sustained success.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a high-visibility, enterprise program at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging AI technologies. Ideal candidates are motivated by mission impact, comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, and interested in building deep domain expertise while delivering capabilities with real-world national security outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and lead enterprise solution architecture across cloud, data, AI/ML, DevSecOps, infrastructure, and cybersecurity domains.
• Establish architecture standards, design patterns, and integration frameworks aligned to DoW policies and WDP mission objectives.
• Ensure interoperability and integration across multi-enclave environments and distributed systems (e.g., NIPR/SIPR/JWICS or equivalent).
• Oversee development of architecture artifacts, system designs, interface definitions, and technical roadmaps.
• Align architecture with DevSecOps pipelines, release management processes, and enterprise system lifecycle activities.
• Ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53, RMF, STIGs, and Zero Trust architecture principles.
• Lead technical governance through architecture review boards and engineering control processes.
• Partner with program leadership, Government stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to define and execute technical strategy.
• Embed DevSecOps practices and secure CI/CD pipelines into enterprise architecture.
• Resolve highly complex, multi-domain technical challenges impacting system performance, scalability, and mission outcomes.
• Participate in SAFe ceremonies including PI Planning, ART sync, backlog refinement, and Inspect & Adapt events to align architecture with Program Increment (PI) objectives.
• Translate mission requirements into secure, scalable technical designs and implementation roadmaps aligned to PI milestones.
• Drive cross-team integration to improve automation, standardization, performance, and scalability of enterprise solutions.
• Provide executive-level technical briefings to senior Government stakeholders.
• Provide direct supervision, mentoring, and performance management for solution architects and senior engineering staff.
• Lead workforce planning, staffing strategy, and organizational design for architecture functions.
• Establish technical leadership development, mentoring programs, and succession planning initiatives.
• Drive accountability for architecture quality, standards adherence, and engineering excellence.
• Foster a high-performance, innovative, and collaborative technical culture across the organization.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical discipline and 15–20 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in a related field and 13–16 years of relevant experience.
• At least one of the following foundational qualification pathways consistent with DoD 8140 requirements:
  • Current DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification appropriate for Advanced System Administrator roles (e.g., CASP+, CCNP Security, GCED, or equivalent),
  • Offerings listed in the DoD 8140 Training Repository,
  • Demonstrated equivalent training and experience qualifying under DoD 8140 foundational qualification alternatives.
• Minimum of 13 years of relevant experience in systems engineering and architecture to include leading team of engineers in the development of enterprise level system components for DoD based systems involving decision making and/or data intelligence tools.
• Extensive experience designing enterprise-scale solution architectures in DoD or Federal environments.
• Experience integrating cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) with enterprise data, DevSecOps, and cybersecurity systems.
• Experience leading architecture for large-scale, multi-domain systems spanning multiple technical disciplines.
• Experience implementing secure system architectures aligned to RMF, STIGs, and Zero Trust principles.
• Experience operating within SAFe or large-scale Agile frameworks supporting enterprise systems.
• Experience integrating secure DevSecOps pipelines.
• Experience with enterprise architecture and systems integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring senior technical teams.
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Familiarity with AI/ML technologies and their application in enterprise environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• SAFe Architect, SAFe Program Consultant (SPC), or related SAFe certification.
• Advanced cloud architecture certification (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent).
• CISSP, CCSP, CASP+, or equivalent cybersecurity certification.
• Experience supporting enterprise architectures across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS environments.
• Experience leading AI/ML, data platform, or DevSecOps modernization initiatives.
• Experience influencing enterprise IT strategy and architecture at the program or organizational level.
• Experience supporting large-scale DoD data platforms
• Experience supporting technical proposal development or capture strategy.
• Experience supporting Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
• Knowledge of DoD standards and policies related to systems engineering.
• Familiarity with user experience design principles.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.