Enterprise Data Architect

Enterprise Data ArchitectLeidos is seeking an Enterprise Data Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. You will lead enterprise data architecture for a hybrid cloud data mesh platform supporting real-time air traffic management and next-generation aviation services. We are building with an AI-first engineering mindset, embracing emerging AI capabilities and modern development practices to accelerate delivery, improve software quality, and continuously evolve how we design and build mission-critical systems. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.This role is part of a growing program, and hiring will depend on available funding. We review applications on a rolling basis, but the timeline for interviews and offers may vary. In some cases, we may extend contingent offers that become active once funding is confirmed.This position is located in Gaithersburg, MD; Egg Harbor Township, NJ; or Eagan, MN. This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days remote work. Candidates should reside a commutable distance to one of the above locations.What You'll DoDefine the data mesh architecture including domain boundaries and data productsEstablish the enterprise data governance framework and standardsDesign real-time streaming data pipelines for operational aviation dataArchitect event-driven data integration patterns across platform servicesDefine data product standards including contracts, quality, and discoverabilityDevelop the data integration strategy across legacy and modern systemsPlan and oversee legacy data migration to the new platform architectureEstablish data quality standards, monitoring, and remediation processesCoordinate cross-ART data architecture decisions and dependenciesImplement metadata management and data cataloging solutionsDefine data architecture for operational ATC data including real-time processing pipelines and low-latency data access patternsEstablish schema governance and data contract management ensuring interoperability across modernized and legacy servicesDesign latency management strategies for time-critical ATC data flows supporting real-time operational decisionsImplement data lineage tracking providing traceability from source operational systems through processing to consumptionChampion an AI-first engineering culture by identifying and applying AI-assisted development capabilities, automation, and emerging software engineering practices that improve developer productivity, code quality, testing, and delivery.Core Technical QualificationsBachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant data architecture experience or 10+ years with a Master's degree or equivalent experience.Enterprise data architecture leadership for large-scale platformsData mesh architecture design and implementation experienceData governance framework development and enforcementEvent streaming expertise (Apache Kafka or equivalent) at scaleReal-time data pipeline design for mission-critical applicationsExpertise across SQL and NoSQL database technologiesDistributed data systems architecture and performance optimizationAdvanced data modeling for complex operational domainsAbility to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; US citizenship required; subject to government background investigationExperience with real-time data processing architectures and low-latency streaming systemsKnowledge of operational data semantics in complex system environmentsExperience with schema governance, data contracts, and data lineage implementationPreferred / Desired QualificationsAviation or FAA data systems experienceGraph database design and implementationData lake architecture and governanceMaster data management (MDM) strategy and toolsGDPR and data privacy compliance experienceCloud-native data services (AWS/Azure)DataOps and data pipeline automationExperience with ATC or aviation operational data systems and real-time processing requirementsKnowledge of data architecture patterns for safety-critical operational environmentsWhy Leidos?You'll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter — every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.If you're excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments — and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut — we'd like to talk.ATMCIf 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.