Lead Application Architect / DTAM / (Hybrid) [Contingent]

The Lead Application Architect technical and management leadership across major program tasks supporting the U.S. Census Bureau’s Decennial Transformation and Application Modernization (DTAM) initiative. This role serves as the primary technical owner for application architecture standards, software delivery patterns, CI/CD architecture, and modernization strategies across DTAM.

The position will define architectural direction for mission-critical applications, establish scalable application design patterns, guide cloud-native modernization efforts, and ensure development teams implement secure, reliable, and maintainable solutions aligned with federal technology standards., 1. Serve as the primary technical authority for enterprise application architecture, modernization strategies, and application engineering standards.

1. Define application architecture principles, patterns, and best practices supporting scalable, secure, and cloud-enabled solutions.
2. Lead application modernization efforts including migration from legacy platforms to modern architectures, microservices-based solutions, and cloud-native application patterns.
3. Establish and govern DevSecOps architecture practices including:
4. CI/CD pipeline architecture
5. GitLab strategy and repository standards
6. Branching and merge strategies
7. Automated deployment patterns
8. Application release processes
9. Define application delivery standards utilizing modern software engineering practices and automation frameworks.
10. Provide architectural guidance for:
11. Microservices architectures
12. API-based integrations
13. Enterprise application frameworks
14. Containerized applications
15. Cloud application deployments
16. Partner with Lead Application Developers to ensure implementation aligns with approved architecture standards and engineering practices.
17. Provide technical oversight for application development activities including design, coding practices, integration, testing, deployment, and operational readiness.
18. Ensure application solutions align with security, performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability requirements.
19. Support integration across application, data, infrastructure, and cybersecurity domains.
20. Collaborate with the Lead Security Engineer to ensure secure software development practices, including:
21. Secure coding standards
22. SAST/DAST integration
23. Dependency scanning
24. Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) requirements
25. RMF and FedRAMP-aligned development practices
26. Collaborate with the Lead Systems Engineer on application deployment automation, container orchestration, and production operational readiness.
27. Support Agile delivery practices, technical planning, architecture reviews, and sprint-level technical decision-making.
28. Develop and maintain architecture documentation, technical standards, design artifacts, and engineering guidelines.
29. Present technical strategies, architecture decisions, and modernization approaches to government stakeholders and senior leadership., * Leading enterprise application architecture and modernization efforts. * Designing and implementing scalable software architectures. * Defining application development standards, patterns, and engineering practices. * Supporting DevSecOps transformations and CI/CD adoption. * Designing or overseeing microservices, API-driven, and cloud-native applications. * Working with software development teams to implement architecture standards. * Supporting transition of applications from development environments into production operations. * Providing technical leadership across application development, integration, and deployment activities. * Creating architecture documentation, technical roadmaps, and engineering standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical field.
• 15+ years of experience in software engineering, application architecture, enterprise systems design, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise application modernization initiatives.
• Experience defining architecture standards and technical direction for large-scale application environments.
• Experience supporting federal, enterprise, or mission-critical technology programs.
• Experience working with senior technical leaders, government stakeholders, and cross-functional engineering teams., * Enterprise application architecture
• Software architecture and design patterns
• Application modernization strategies
• Microservices and API architecture
• DevSecOps architecture and CI/CD practices
• GitLab SCM and pipeline architecture
• Cloud-native application development
• Containerized application architectures
• Docker and Kubernetes concepts
• Infrastructure-as-Code integration concepts
• Java and Python application environments
• Agile software delivery methodologies
• Technical leadership and architecture governance
• Strong documentation and presentation skills
• Ability to translate mission requirements into scalable technical solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications:
• Certified Solutions Architect (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Professional)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• DevOps or DevSecOps certifications
• Experience supporting federal statistical, census, or large-scale public sector data programs
• Background in cloud modernization initiatives at enterprise scale
• Experience with Agile delivery frameworks and DevSecOps transformations
• Prior experience supporting mission-critical government systems with high availability and scalability requirements

Please Note: We maintain an on-camera policy for all virtual company meetings to foster engagement and collaboration. Reasonable exceptions may be granted with prior approval from Human Resources and/or the applicable manager or client.

We offer exceptional comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability); 401(k); Health and Wellness Benefits; and Paid Sick Time, Vacation Time, and Holiday Time. Employees are eligible for bonuses throughout the year as part of our incentive program for innovation and business development. All employees are also considered for an annual raise, commensurate with performance and company commitment., Salary Range: $145K - $180K - commensurate with the candidate’s skills, experience, location, and qualifications.

iWorks Corporation, founded in 2005, is a leading provider of information technology and professional services to the federal government. We are a recognized leader in personnel security and vetting solutions, Agile, DevOps, DevSecOps, data analytics, and cloud solutions. Our continuous process improvement approach, combined with our business and technology expertise, results in innovative solutions., iWorks is committed to maintaining a safe and productive work environment for all employees and ensuring the security and well-being of our clients. As part of our standard hiring process, we may conduct background checks and drug screenings on potential candidates to assess their suitability for employment.