Lead Application Architect

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Application Architect

At B&A, we foster and embrace a distinct set of values that we live by and instill in all aspects of our organization: dedication, commitment, partnership, trust, and recognition. We have incorporated these values into successful delivery for our customers since 1988. B&A believes in ensuring its employees feel deeply connected to B&A, recognizing successes and hard work, and providing continuous opportunities to learn and grow. Our people are entrepreneurial thinkers that combine mindset, vision, and experience to drive value – not only to us as an organization, but to the clients we support. We promote a collaborative culture with our clients, and with each other, as one team working towards a common vision. We’d love for you to join our team!

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

  Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Frequently operate standard office equipment, including computers and telephones.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, video conference, and email.
• Occasionally move about the office and lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work the assigned schedule with regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as required.

Salary Range: The base salary is $150,000 for this position in Suitland MD

More About B&A:

B&A delivers secure, innovative, and mission-critical IT solutions to support the United States Government across all three branches—Executive, Legislative, and Judicial—focused on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence. Our team of cleared professionals specializes in Agile DevSecOps, Cloud Migration and Modernization, Data Science and Analytics, Human Capital Management, Operations and Enablement, Application Transformation, All-Source Intelligence, Geospatial Production, Engineering and Integrated Services, and Cybersecurity.  

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.   EEO B&A provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. B&A complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy covers conduct occurring at B&A’s offices, and other workplaces (including client sites) and all other locations where B&A is providing services, and to all work-related activities.

EEO is the Law

E-Verify

B&A participates in e-Verify. We provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 Form to confirm work authorization.  

American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

B&A is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act and applicable law. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com

Drug Free Workplace: 

B&A maintains a drug free workplace. Where applicable to the positions and permitted by law, employment is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment drug screening conducted in accordance with Company policy and applicable federal; state and local requirements.