System Architect - SME

The System Architect-_SME provides senior technical leadership for enterprise infrastructure architecture and modernization in support of the SEC ISS contract. This role translates mission and functional requirements into scalable, secure technical solutions across on-premises and hybrid/multi-cloud environments. The architect leads cross-functional engineering and operations teams to improve reliability, automation, and service performance aligned to SEC OIT objectives. The position drives technology evaluations, proofs of concept, pilots, and demos while ensuring designs integrate with 24x7x365 enterprise operations and observability requirements. This role ensures architecture decisions align with Zero Trust, FISMA, and SEC governance expectations. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Enterprise Architecture and Solution Design - Architect and manage enterprise IT systems across multiple functional areas, including server, platform, storage, and cloud domains. - Translate functional and operational requirements into technical architectures, integration patterns, and implementation roadmaps. - Define scalable, resilient target-state designs and transitional architectures for hybrid environments. - Develop and maintain architecture documentation, standards, and technical decision artifacts to support execution and governance. Technology Evaluation and Modernization - Identify, assess, and recommend technologies that meet defined technical and business requirements. - Lead and execute proofs of concept (POCs), pilots, and demos to validate feasibility, risk, and operational fit. - Guide modernization efforts across virtualization, cloud integration, and enterprise infrastructure transformation initiatives. - Drive adoption of advanced technologies that improve efficiency, interoperability, and long-term maintainability. Operations Leadership and Service Reliability - Provide technical leadership to multi-discipline server and system operations teams in enterprise environments. - Establish architecture requirements for monitoring, alerting, incident response, and operational visibility for production systems. - Support root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts tied to SLA and performance objectives. - Ensure designs are supportable in 24x7x365 operations, including change/release coordination and lifecycle management. Security, Compliance, and Integration Governance - Provide technical leadership for system integration, scalability, and security architecture across multi-vendor platforms. - Embed security controls and compliance requirements into infrastructure and platform designs. - Ensure architectural approaches support FISMA-aligned controls, vulnerability remediation, and secure configuration baselines. - Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to align technical solutions with SEC policy, risk, and operational governance. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Citizenship/Work Authorization: Must meet contract requirements. Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain SEC Public Trust (or higher if required). Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Experience: - 12+ years of experience in engineering and architecting enterprise IT systems. - Proven experience managing multi-discipline server and system operations teams. - Demonstrated experience translating functional requirements into enterprise technical solutions and leading integration/scalability efforts. - Must possess Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) - Server Infrastructure certification, or equivalent relevant experience. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams. Technical Skills: - Enterprise infrastructure design and architecture - Multi-vendor server operating systems - Virtualization and cloud integration architecture - System integration and scalability architecture - Security architecture for enterprise platforms - Technology evaluation, POC/pilot execution, and solution validation - Cross-functional technical leadership and stakeholder communication PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience supporting U.S. federal IT environments with FISMA/NIST/OMB compliance requirements. - Experience architecting or supporting observability platforms and enterprise monitoring integrations in large environments. - Hands-on experience with container platforms and automation frameworks (e.g., OpenShift, Kubernetes, Ansible, GitOps toolchains). - Experience leading architecture initiatives in 24x7x365 enterprise operations organizations. - Prior support to SEC or similarly regulated financial-sector federal agencies. - Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert - AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional - TOGAF (or equivalent enterprise architecture certification) WORK ENVIRONMENT / OTHER Operational Support: May require participation in on-call or surge support activities depending on operational needs. Location: Telework Travel: As required per contract direction. 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: May 28, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00 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. Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here. Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to View email address on click.appcast.io. Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.