Lead System Architect

Leidos is seeking a Lead System Architect to serve as the top technical authority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program. The position 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.

The Lead 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 promised, remains compliant, and is positioned for modernization, growth, and future mission expansion.

Core Responsibilities

Architecture Ownership & Governance

• Define and maintain the system architecture baseline (hardware, software, topology, interfaces, data, security)

• Approve and adjudicate architectural changes

• Ensure the implemented solution satisfies all contract technical requirements

• Safeguard architectural integrity even through cost and schedule pressures

System Solution Formulation

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

• Define hardware and software design criteria

• Identify appropriate 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 systems both 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

• Identify architectural risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation strategies

• Identify required subject matter expertise, 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 and maintain a 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, On-Site Leadership Automation Business Development Governance Cyber Security Test Automation Innovation Software Development Adjudication Reliability Systems Engineering Systems Integration Kubernetes Docker (Software) Program Management Verbal Communication Skills Artificial Intelligence Test Planning Traceability Emerging Technologies Data Security Mitigation Stakeholder Engagement Information Systems Technology Roadmaps Generative Artificial Intelligence Strategic Roadmaps Federal Aviation Administration Software Design Code Generation Model Based Systems Engineering Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Market Data User Requirements Documents Systems Architecture Federal Aviation Regulations Equities Cost Estimation Requirements Analysis Topology Critical Design Review (CDR) Cloud-Native Architecture Structured Analysis Technical Requirements Strategic Objectives Ancient History

• Bachelor's 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 as System Architect, Software Architect, or Product Architect on 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 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.

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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .

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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .