Lead System Architect

Leidos is seeking aLead System Architectto serve as the top technical authority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) serves as the technical conscience of the program and is accountable for defining safeguarding and evolving the system architecture so the solution functions as an integrated cost-effective whole that satisfies all contract and mission requirements.

TheLead System Architect formulates and owns the top-level architecture across hardware software infrastructure topology data cybersecurity and external interfaces. This role partners closely with the Program Manager and Chief Engineer to ensure the system delivers what was promisedremainscompliant and is positioned for modernization growth and future mission expansion.

Core Responsibilities

Architecture Ownership & Governance

• Define andmaintainthe system architecture baseline (hardware software topology interfaces data security)

• Approve andadjudicatearchitectural changes

• Ensure the implemented solution satisfies all contract technical requirements

• Safeguard architectural integrityeven throughcost and schedule pressures

System Solution Formulation

• Conceptually formulate integrated system solutions that meet operational needs and user requirements

• Define hardware and software design criteria

• Identifyappropriate COTS reuse and modernization components

• Perform trade studies evaluating performance cost schedule risk reliability and security

Integration & Interface Definition

• Define interface and interconnect specifications including integration with NAS systemsboth locally and thru SWIM

• Ensure system-of-systems integration across FAA environments

• Support verification and test planning for requirements and interfaces

• Participate in major lifecycle reviews (SRR PDR CDR TRR etc.)

Performance Risk & Technical Stewardship

• Plan and execute analyses and modeling to assess performance availability reliability and operational suitability

• Identifyarchitectural risks tradeoffs and mitigation strategies

• Identifyrequired subject matterexpertise tools and techniques to meet technical objectives

• Act as the technical conscience of the program ensuring solution quality is not compromised

Technology Roadmap Modernization & Future Solutioning

• Develop andmaintaina forward-looking technology roadmap aligned with FAA strategic objectives

• Evaluate emerging technologies and define transition strategies for modernization

• Conceptually shape future system enhancements and capability expansions

• Support technical solution development for follow-on efforts contract modifications and growth opportunities

• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to ensure architectural continuity between current program execution and future solutions

• Ensure proposed enhancements align with the established architecture baseline and long-term system vision

Engineering Innovation & AI-Enabled Transformation

• Define and execute a strategic roadmap for AI-enabled engineering transformation within the program

• Lead responsible integration of Generative AI into systems engineering and software development activities

• Implement AI-assisted capabilities for:

• Requirements analysis and traceability

• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) artifacts

• Code generation and review

• Automated test development

• Compliance and documentation automation

• Establish governance and guardrails to ensure AI adoption aligns with FAA policies federal AI directives and Zero Trust principles

• Ensure innovation enhances quality compliance and mission effectiveness in a regulated environment

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with FAA stakeholders engineers managers and users to ensure risks issues and solutions are clearly communicated

• Partner with the Program Manager and Chief Engineer to align technical execution with customer vision

• Serve as the senior technical interface for architectural matters

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with 10 years of relevant experience

• 8 Years of Specialized experience includes:supervision of system architects use of structured analysis design methodologies and design tools and other design techniques object- oriented principles and experience with the logical and physical functional operation and technical architecture of large and complex information systems

• Direct TFDM experience strongly preferred

• Demonstrated experience serving as senior technical authority on a complex operational program

• Experience formulating and governing large-scale system architectures

• Experience with NAS system integrations

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (Rhapsody or Cameo preferred)

• Experience designing and evaluating:

• Distributed architectures

• Containerized environments (Docker Kubernetes)

• High-availability systems

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience serving asSystemArchitect Software Architect or Product Architecton an FAA program

• Experience supporting technical solutioning for follow-on contracts or program growth

• Experience modernizing legacy systems to cloud-native architectures

• Experience implementing AI-enabled engineering practices in regulated federal environments

• Familiarity with cost estimation

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.