Chief Architect Division Lead

FTS International, LLC•Chantilly, VA

1d•$178,000 - $225,000

About The Position

FTS International, LLC (FTS) is seeking a Chief Architect Division Lead in Chantilly, Virginia. The role serves as a trusted technical advisor to senior government leaders, helping them evaluate architectural alternatives, balance mission performance and affordability, identify innovation opportunities, shape acquisition strategies, and communicate complex technical and programmatic issues to executive stakeholders. The position supports next-generation SIGINT architecture and acquisition of advanced SIGINT capabilities and prototypes. The Chief Architect Division Lead advises the SIGINT Chief Architect and government leadership on architecture concepts, technology options, and technical strategies. The role leads or supports technical and cost analyses, develops independent assessments and recommendations, evaluates emerging technologies and acquisition approaches, and helps translate architectural objectives and customer vision into executable programs. It also produces executive briefings, decision papers, strategic messaging, reports, and related materials, and interfaces with senior stakeholders across the Intelligence Community, Department of War, acquisition and technical organizations, and industry.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI with polygraph.
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, in an engineering discipline.
10+ years of experience supporting SIGINT mission systems and collaborating with key stakeholders and mission partners.
10+ years of experience with the design and development of satellite systems and technologies and their application in military and defense operations.
8+ years of experience with major system acquisition, including acquisition and budgeting processes.
Demonstrated ability to perform rigorous technical and cost/performance analysis and translate results into actionable recommendations.
Demonstrated understanding of Intelligence Community and/or Department of War acquisition processes, documentation, and budgetary considerations.
Strong written, oral, briefing, and interpersonal communication skills, including communicating complex technical concepts to executive audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, cross-functional environment and independently drive work to completion.
Working knowledge of the FAR, applicable acquisition regulations and policies, contract types, and acquisition processes.
Ability to develop high-quality strategic messaging, presentations, point papers, reports, and decision-support materials.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a STEM field, in an engineering discipline.
15+ years of experience supporting SIGINT mission systems and collaborating with key stakeholders and mission partners.
15+ years of experience with the design and development of satellite systems and technologies and their application in military and defense operations.
15+ years of experience with major system acquisition, including acquisition and budgeting processes.
Demonstrated experience advising senior government leaders and influencing significant technical, architectural, programmatic, or acquisition decisions.
Deep experience with Department of War and Intelligence Community acquisition cycles, acquisition documentation, and budgetary processes.
Experience with cost estimation techniques, cost modeling, and cost/performance trade analysis.
Experience developing architectural representations to inform senior management decision-making.
Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and practices.
DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management or equivalent acquisition/program management experience.
Experience with Agile development practices.
Hands-on industry experience with RF payload engineering, integration, and test.
Experience evaluating emerging technologies, prototypes, commercial capabilities, or innovative acquisition approaches.
Familiarity with NSA capabilities and organization.
Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Engineering/Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile development, and cloud technologies.

Responsibilities

Advise the SIGINT Chief Architect and government leadership on next-generation SIGINT architecture concepts, technology options, and technical strategies.
Lead or support architecture trades and analyses that evaluate mission performance, technical feasibility, cost, schedule, risk, scalability, and affordability.
Develop independent technical assessments, courses of action, and recommendations for senior-level architecture and portfolio decisions.
Evaluate emerging technologies, innovative approaches, prototypes, and other opportunities to advance mission capability while controlling cost and technical risk.
Synthesize market research, government studies, engineering analyses, and other sources into clear recommendations and actionable paths forward.
Support development and execution of portfolio activities to acquire cutting-edge SIGINT capabilities and prototypes.
Develop and evaluate acquisition strategies that translate architectural objectives and customer vision into executable programs.
Advise government technical and acquisition personnel on requirements, acquisition approaches, program development, and implementation.
Assess technical and cost considerations associated with proposals, designs, performance data, and alternative acquisition approaches.
Identify opportunities to improve affordability, reduce lifecycle costs, manage technical risk, and accelerate delivery of mission capabilities.
Support development of acquisition documentation, technical and programmatic requirements, acquisition packages, SOWs, CDRLs, and related artifacts as appropriate.
Translate complex technical, architectural, acquisition, cost, and mission issues into clear recommendations for senior government leaders.
Develop executive briefings, decision papers, strategic messaging, point papers, reports, and other materials articulating customer vision, mission value, investment priorities, and recommended courses of action.
Interface with senior stakeholders across the Intelligence Community, Department of War, acquisition organizations, technical organizations, and industry.
Support strategic communications that build understanding and alignment around portfolio priorities, architectural decisions, and acquisition strategies.