Chief Architect- Space Systems Communication

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, plus a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in Engineering, plus a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.

Clearance Requirements:

Department of Defense TS/SCI security clearance is preferred at time of hire. Candidates must be able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance within a reasonable amount of time from date of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Ready to be a leader with the company that is committed to pushing the limits of truly advanced technologies? At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we create the products and services that help our service members, intelligence analysts and first responders keep our nation safe. The work we do is so advanced, it’s often classified. If you want to put your talent in the spotlight, it’s waiting for you right now, right here. We apply advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR, Cloud Native and Quantum Physics to solve our customers’ missions in cyber, RF, undersea, interstellar and everything in between.

The Chief Architect, Communications Systems is a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) who serves as a senior technical authority and customer facing technical interface for communications systems architecture. This role drives the strategic design and evolution of complex communications solutions — spanning, satellite, wideband, and mission-critical network architectures — while directly engaging customers to shape requirements, present technical solutions, and build long-term relationships. The Chief Architect leads cross-functional engineering teams, identifies emerging technologies, and influences both internal strategy and external business development to advance the company's position in the communications domain.

Preferred experience includes: tactical communications systems, SATCOM (military/commercial), software-defined radio (SDR), spectrum operations, networks, and/or customer-facing technical leadership roles.

Key Responsibilities:

Customer Engagement & Technical Leadership • Serve as the primary technical representative to customers, program offices, and government stakeholders for communications systems architectures.• Lead customer-facing technical reviews, architecture briefings, and requirements discussions, translating complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives.• Build and maintain trusted relationships with customer technical leads, contracting officers, and program managers.• Represent the company at industry forums, conferences, and working groups relevant to communications systems .• Anticipate customer needs and proactively propose architectural solutions aligned with mission objectives and GDMS strategic developments. Architecture & Engineering • Define and own end-to-end communications system architectures encompassing RF/waveform design, spectrum management, link budgets, network topology, interface control, and protocol stacks.• Apply advanced systems engineering principles to develop architectures that balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk across the full communications system lifecycle.• Lead architecture trade studies and analysis of alternatives (AoA) for communications technologies focusing on satellite communications, including Tracking, Telemetry and Control (TT&C), inter Satellite Data links and hi rate Mission Data links exploiting software-defined radio (SDR) technologies, with On-orbit re-programmability/reconfigurability, and other emerging wideband/MIMO solutions.• Oversee design and development processes for communications products, ensuring compliance with Space Environments, reliability and Mission life, while driving Designs for manufacturability and reduction of manufacturing costs.• Utilize modeling, simulation, and formal trade study tools to optimize system performance and validate architectural decisions. Risk, Strategy & Innovation • Actively identify and communicate high-level technical risks, risk trade space, and mitigation strategies to program leadership and customers.• Conduct research to identify leading-edge and breakaway communications technologies and assess their implications for the company's strategic direction.• Research and report significant shifts in the communications technology landscape — including spectrum policy, contested/degraded environments, and next-generation waveforms — and their business impact.• Identify opportunities to apply AI/ML for continuous improvement, optimization, and innovation within communications systems. Business Development & Proposals • Lead quick response communications systems proposals, identifying cross-business unit strengths and technical gaps, and providing teaming recommendations to maximize win probability.• Contribute to shaping major market opportunities in communications, including new program identification and strategic capture planning.• Drive the development of new business opportunities that can lead to new Lines of Business (LOB) or Division creation.• Influence the development of technical opportunities leading to new business through position papers, white papers, and technology demonstrations.• Direct technical and teaming strategies across business units and divisions to respond to customer requirements. Community & Mentor-ship • Establish technology and process direction for the communications systems technical community.• Mentor and guide less experienced engineers on advanced communications engineering principles, architecture methods, and customer engagement practices.• Anticipate needs and concerns of the technical community and drive resolutions.• Take immediate and decisive action on technical and performance issues, leveraging influence to author trade studies and position papers as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep expertise in communications systems architecture: RF systems, waveform design, spectrum management, satellite communications, networks, and link analysis.• Demonstrated ability to engage directly with customers and government stakeholders as a trusted technical authority.• Identifies and applies AI/ML opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation in communications systems.• Advanced understanding of systems engineering principles, architecture frameworks (DoDAF, TOGAF), and model-based systems engineering (MBSE).• Exceptional communication and presentation skills — able to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.• Proven ability to lead complex engineering projects and major proposals across distributed teams.• Proficiency in requirements management tools, modeling and simulation environments, and formal trade study methodologies.• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies and their operational impact.• Tremendous influence within the technical and customer communities.• Ability to anticipate, identify, and resolve high-level technical and performance issues decisively.

As the Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, you’ll apply advanced principles of engineering and management to solve complex problems in the development of technology. As a leader, you’ll oversee and manage design and development processes as they relate to the engineering of products utilizing principles and technology of physics, mathematics, engineering, and related physical sciences. It’s engineering that sets the standard for the world. Are you ready?

What you’ll experience:

• Technologies that aren’t just top-notch, they’re often top-secret
• A team of bold thinkers committed to exploring what’s next
• Opportunities to gain new knowledge - as it’s discovered

What you bring to the table:

• A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field and is required plus a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in engineering or a related technical field plus a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills
• Recognized as an expert in your field
• Ability to ability to anticipate technology, process, and skill needs

What sets you apart:

• Easily and effectively communicate technical topics to a diverse audience
• Ability to create an environment where the impact of technology on the business is clearly recognized
• Exceptional aptitude for applying or developing highly advanced technologies, principles, theories and concepts
• Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation

Our Commitment to You:

• An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
• See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options: This position is Onsite at any of the locations listed. Relocation assitance available to these locations, preferred location is Scottsdale.

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Salary Note

Combined Salary Range

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans