Senior Systems-of-Systems SME Lead

LMI•Washington, DC

About The Position

LMI is seeking a Senior Systems-of-Systems Subject-Matter Expert (SME) Lead to provide strategic and technical leadership supporting PMOD’s integration of complex, interdependent operational technology capabilities across U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and CBP. The role applies systems-of-systems engineering and enterprise architecture principles to help diverse technologies operate as an integrated enterprise rather than as standalone capabilities. It calls for a senior leader experienced in complex federal, homeland security, defense, or similarly mission-focused environments. The position helps guide integration of sensor systems, data platforms, AI-enabled analytics, communications and infrastructure services, command-and-control applications, and unmanned systems. The SME Lead advocates for PMOD priorities, coordinates with integration teams, field stakeholders, and partner organizations, and informs acquisition, engineering, integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and modernization decisions. The role identifies common integration risks and challenges, promotes repeatable engineering and governance practices, and supports an enterprise approach to planning, designing, delivering, and sustaining interoperable operational capabilities. The position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a CBP Background Investigation (BI); an active CBP BI is preferred. It requires 20% travel, which may involve remote and rugged areas. The position is based in Washington, DC. LMI is a digital solutions provider focused on accelerating government impact through innovation and speed. It invests in technology and prototypes ahead of need and provides commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies. LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors, and is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, engineering management, operations research, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
10 or more years of progressive experience in systems engineering, systems integration, enterprise architecture, technical program management, operational technology delivery, or related disciplines.
5 or more years of experience leading complex, multi-system integration initiatives in a federal, defense, homeland security, law-enforcement, transportation, or other mission-focused environment.
Demonstrated experience applying systems-of-systems engineering principles to plan, design, integrate, test, deploy, and sustain complex technology capabilities.
Experience working across multiple programs, portfolios, vendors, government stakeholders, and technical teams to manage dependencies and advance enterprise-level outcomes.
Demonstrated experience identifying technical, operational, programmatic, and lifecycle risks associated with integrating complex systems and developing practical mitigation strategies.
Experience supporting technology acquisition, requirements development, systems engineering planning, technical evaluations, architecture development, or lifecycle-management activities.
Experience developing executive-level technical briefings, decision papers, roadmaps, integration strategies, or architecture products for senior government stakeholders.
Experience leading cross-functional technical teams and facilitating collaboration among engineering, operations, acquisition, cybersecurity, data, program-management, and sustainment stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes, including requirements analysis, architecture development, design, integration, verification, validation, deployment, operations, and sustainment.
Strong understanding of systems-of-systems engineering concepts, interoperability, interfaces, system dependencies, technical governance, integration planning, and lifecycle management.
Working knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks and practices such as DoDAF, FEAF, TOGAF, or comparable methodologies.
Ability to develop and interpret architecture artifacts, including operational views, system context diagrams, capability maps, interface-control documentation, data flows, integration roadmaps, and technical decision frameworks.
Experience assessing integration of systems involving sensors, communications, networks, data platforms, software applications, analytics, cloud or edge infrastructure, and unmanned or autonomous capabilities.
Understanding of cybersecurity, data-management, privacy, infrastructure, and operational considerations affecting complex system integration and technology sustainment.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to translate complex technical and systems-integration issues into concise, actionable recommendations for executive and nontechnical audiences.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a CBP Background Investigation (BI).
Willingness to travel 20%; travel may entail remote and rugged areas.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in systems engineering, engineering management, computer science, information systems, operations research, or another related technical discipline.
INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), or comparable systems engineering certification.
Enterprise architecture certification, such as TOGAF, DoDAF, FEAF, or a comparable credential.
Experience supporting U.S. Border Patrol, CBP, DHS, Department of Defense, federal law-enforcement, or other complex operational organizations.
Experience integrating field-deployed technologies or capabilities in remote, austere, geographically dispersed, or infrastructure-constrained environments.
Experience integrating sensor systems, data platforms, AI-enabled analytics, cloud and edge computing, communications systems, command-and-control technologies, or unmanned systems.
Experience with model-based systems engineering, digital engineering, architecture repositories, simulation, digital twins, or similar systems-engineering tools and practices.
Experience establishing systems-integration governance, technical review boards, architecture-review processes, interface-management practices, or engineering standards.
Experience supporting acquisition strategies, source-selection technical evaluations, vendor-management activities, performance measures, or contractual deliverables for complex technology programs.
Experience supporting capability roadmaps, modernization strategies, technical-debt assessments, lifecycle-cost analyses, or sustainment planning.
Demonstrated thought leadership through technical publications, conference presentations, development of standards or engineering guidance, mentoring, or leadership of complex systems-engineering initiatives.
Active CBP Background Investigation (BI).

Responsibilities

Serve as PMOD’s senior systems-of-systems engineering and enterprise integration advisor for complex operational technology initiatives across USBP and CBP.
Develop and advance a systems-of-systems approach that enables interoperable, scalable, resilient, and sustainable mission capabilities across programs, portfolios, and technology domains.
Apply enterprise architecture, systems engineering, and integration practices to assess how systems, platforms, services, data sources, and operational processes interact within the larger CBP technology environment.
Provide technical leadership for integrating sensors, AI-enabled analytics, communications and infrastructure capabilities, data platforms, command-and-control applications, unmanned systems, and related technologies.
Identify system dependencies, interoperability needs, integration risks, technical constraints, capability gaps, and lifecycle considerations that may affect operational outcomes.
Develop and recommend repeatable systems engineering approaches, integration patterns, reference architectures, interface standards, technical governance processes, and decision frameworks.
Support the definition and refinement of enterprise architecture artifacts, including operational views, capability maps, system context diagrams, data flows, interface descriptions, roadmaps, and integration strategies.
Coordinate across PMOD portfolios, CBP programs, technical teams, acquisition stakeholders, and other organizations to align requirements, integration plans, technical decisions, and delivery priorities.
Advise leadership on technical feasibility, operational suitability, implementation risks, tradeoffs, costs, and sustainment implications of proposed technology investments and modernization efforts.
Support acquisition planning and technical evaluations by helping define integration requirements, performance measures, interoperability criteria, system interfaces, verification approaches, and sustainment considerations.
Guide systems integration teams and, when appropriate, field personnel in applying consistent engineering, implementation, testing, and operational-transition practices.
Support the development of test, evaluation, verification, validation, and acceptance strategies for integrated capabilities and systems-of-systems solutions.
Identify and facilitate resolution of cross-program issues involving interfaces, data exchange, cybersecurity, network and infrastructure dependencies, operational workflows, deployment sequencing, and sustainment responsibilities.
Develop executive-level briefings, technical recommendations, architecture products, decision papers, and roadmaps communicating integration status, risks, dependencies, and recommended actions.
Capture lessons learned, identify systemic integration challenges, and incorporate proven practices into future planning, acquisition, engineering, and sustainment efforts.
Remain current on applicable CBP, DHS, federal, and industry systems engineering, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, acquisition, and technology-governance guidance.