Lead System Architect

Leidos•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

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