Senior System Architect SME

Public Trust: None

Requisition Type: Regular

Your Impact

Own your opportunity to serve as a critical component of our nation’s safety and security. Make an impact by using your expertise to protect our country from threats.

Job Description

GDIT is your place. You make it your own by embracing autonomy, seizing opportunity, and being trusted to deliver your best every day. We think. We act. We deliver. There is no challenge we can't turn into opportunity. 

GDIT is seeking an experienced Software and Systems professional for the position of Senior System Architect SME based in Springfield, VA. This role supports national‑security programs requiring deep technical expertise, strong leadership abilities, and a U.S. issued Top Secret clearance with SCI and CI Poly eligible.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and deliver secure information‑sharing platforms that integrate large‑scale storage (multi‑petabyte) systems, high‑performance data ingestion pipelines, and NITF/compatible imaging applications.
• Build modern frontend experiences using Vue/React/Angular frameworks while developing robust backend services with Java/Spring Boot/Hibernate or equivalent technologies; expose functionality via RESTful APIs for seamless integration of heterogeneous sources (including Gigapixel Image Explorer‑style tools).
• Create and maintain high‑performance storage solutions, implementing data conversion software that transforms diverse image formats into standardized workflows. Provide technical leadership as a senior advisor to program management on enterprise modernization strategies—cloud migration efforts while ensuring close collaboration across IT engineering disciplines.
• Develop DoDAF artifacts for network, host, workstation and database systems; support formal Government design reviews with minimal rework activities. Manage hardware/software refresh planning, end‑of‑life tracking, cost estimation initiatives and issue 180‑day advance alerts on affected items to meet lifecycle objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Engineering or a related technical field with at least 20 years of progressive systems engineering/software development.
• Proven record as a senior advisor/chief architect who has guided program and executive leadership on technology strategy; hands‑on Java/Spring Boot/Hibernate web application delivery experience (including upgrades to current framework releases). Strong background in building RESTful APIs for data integration pipelines using Java stack, servlet, WebLogic, .Net Framework.
• Solid exposure to virtualized environments—VMware vSphere, VMCP, XEN/XCP-NG, Microsoft Hyper- V — and a DoD 8570/DoDI 8140 IAT Level‑II certification (Security+ CE is an acceptable baseline). Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps toolchains, as well as enterprise architecture artifacts supporting formal design reviews.
• Ability to work in mixed operating system settings—Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Windows Server—to meet DISA STIG compliance; scripting experience for automation tasks (shell/Bash) required on both platforms.

Desired Attributes / Impact Areas

• Prior exposure to Defense Threat Reduction Agency‑type Intelligence Community programs, particularly with DIAMONDS concepts and secure high‑assurance storage for imagery analysis.
• Demonstrated track record building NITF/other geospatial data processing pipelines; experience delivering modern C++ solutions such as Gigapixel Image Explorer–style tools (performance tuning & UX focus).
• Background in security engineering: threat modeling, countermeasure development and hands‑on problem resolution for national scope customers.

What We Offer GDIT Employees

• Direct impact on protecting the nation through innovative technology solutions; autonomy in shaping technical roadmaps that align short‑term actions and long‑term strategies within a collaborative culture.
• Access to cutting‑edge development tools, enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF/Zero Trust), cloud environments and continued professional growth opportunities—including paid certifications.

Work Requirements

Years of Experience

20 + years of related experience

* may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree

Certification

Travel Required

None

Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship Required