Chief Systems Architect - TS/SCI w/Poly
GDIT· enterprise· Defense IT· Oct 7, 2026 · 20d ago
McLean, VA
In office
Full-time
Principal
$215K–$291K
15+ years exp
Job description
Type of Requisition:
Regular
Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:
Top Secret SCI + Polygraph
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:
Top Secret SCI + Polygraph
Public Trust/Other Required:
None
Job Family:
IT Infrastructure and Operations
Job Qualifications:
Skills:
Agile Delivery, DevSecOps, Scrum Certifications:
None Experience:
15 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required:
Yes
Job Description:
What You’ll Achieve
As the Chief Systems Architect , you will drive the transformation of mission‑critical systems for a high‑visibility national security customer and their premier data environment. You will shape the technical strategy that transitions legacy applications into modern, cloud‑native platforms—directly influencing the future of the mission.
You will serve as the senior technical program authority across cloud, data, API, integration, and microservices modernization, bringing thought leadership and architectural vision to a highly complex and impactful environment.
This role is ideal for a senior architect who thrives on modernization at scale and wants to directly contribute to mission outcomes while developing and mentoring elite engineering teams.
How You’ll Make an Impact
Develop and own enterprise architecture strategies that guide the customer’s cloud, data, and services modernization journey.
Lead, integrate, and inspire multiple high‑performing technical teams working on mission‑aligned modernization efforts.
Evaluate technology tradeoffs, identify innovation opportunities, and brief senior customer and corporate leadership on architecture direction.
Oversee the transformation of legacy applications into secure, scalable, cloud‑native services built for future mission agility.
Ensure architectures align with Agile delivery, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices, and zero‑trust principles.
Partner closely with product owners, program leadership, mission stakeholders, and engineering teams to translate operational needs into actionable architectures.
Champion modern engineering practices, foster innovation, and help shape GDIT’s enterprise modernization standards.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
15 years of IT experience, with 5 years in a senior architecture leadership role.
TS/SCI with Poly clearance.
Proven experience guiding multi‑disciplinary technical teams through large‑scale modernization.
Deep experience with cloud and microservices architectures (e.g., AWS GovCloud, Kubernetes, containerization).
Strong background in data platform modernization, including analytics platforms or distributed data systems.
Demonstrated proficiency with Agile methodologies and modern CI/CD delivery.
Ability to develop and brief complex strategies to senior technical and mission leaders.
Desired Skills and Experience
Hands‑on experience designing and implementing microservices and cloud‑native architectures.
Expertise in API design, distributed systems, zero‑trust principles, and event‑driven architectures.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps toolchains, and Agile/Scrum environments.
Familiarity with data lakes, analytics platforms, and modern data engineering patterns.
Knowledge of modern UI frameworks and responsive application design.
Understanding of AI/ML architecture patterns and emerging cloud‑based AI services.
Cloud certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional).
Why GDIT?
Shape the future of mission‑critical systems with national‑level impact.
Lead enterprise modernization efforts using advanced cloud, data, and automation technologies.
Grow your career through GDIT’s technical leadership pathways, enterprise labs, and extensive training and certification programs.
Join an environment that empowers architects with autonomy, supports innovation, and rewards forward‑thinking technical leadership.
Be part of a culture built on trust, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing mission capabilities.
GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
401K : With company match.
Health & Wellness : Comprehensive health and wellness packages.
Career Growth : Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career.
Professional Development : Growth opportunities including paid education and certifications.
Innovative Tech : Access to cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of the mission.
Work-Life Balance : Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays.
The likely salary range for this position is $214,776 - $290,580. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Travel Required:
Less than 10%
T elecommuting Options:
Onsite
Work Location:
USA VA McLean
Additional Work Locations:
Total Rewards at GDIT:
Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.
Our Identity Verification Process:
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.
About Our Work:
We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at gdit.com/tc .
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
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agilescrumapici/cdawskubernetesaimlrest
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Wellness
Professional Development