Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor

FTS International, LLC•Chantilly, VA

3d•$187,000 - $229,000

About The Position

FTS International, LLC is hiring a Chief SIGINT Systems Architect & Technical Advisor in Chantilly, Virginia. The position 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 role supports next-generation SIGINT architecture and portfolio decisions through technical and cost/performance analysis, independent assessments, acquisition strategy evaluation, and recommendations. It also supports the acquisition of cutting-edge SIGINT capabilities and prototypes, development of acquisition documentation, and strategic communications with government, Intelligence Community, Department of War, acquisition, technical, and industry stakeholders.

Requirements

TS/SCI with polygraph.
Master's degree in a STEM field, in an engineering discipline.
30 or more years of experience supporting SIGINT mission systems and collaborating with key stakeholders and mission partners.
20 or more years of experience designing and developing satellite systems and technologies and applying them in military and defense operations.
12 or more 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 the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive audiences.
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

Ph.D. in an engineering discipline.
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 evaluating 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 information into clear recommendations and actionable paths forward.
Support development and execution of portfolio activities to acquire cutting-edge SIGINT capabilities and prototypes.
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.