SME Systems Architect

KDA Consulting Inc • Herndon, VA

1d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly accomplished Subject Matter Expert (SME) Systems Engineer to serve as a Senior Digital Transformation Architect & Strategist. In this role, you will define, integrate, and modernize the technical architecture for a centralized enterprise IT systems data ecosystem. You will serve as a strategic technical advisor to executive leadership, bridging the gap between high-level vision and engineering execution. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience designing secure, scalable architectures that support advanced threat detection, real-time monitoring, automation, predictive analytics, and compliance strategies within complex multi-network Intelligence Community (IC) environments. Specifically, you will lead the architectural evolution and integration of enterprise platform standards including Splunk, ServiceNow, and AppDynamics to drive end-to-end visibility and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Minimum of 20+ years of technical experience in Systems Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Systems Integration, and Digital Transformation.
• Minimum of 15+ years of dedicated experience supporting the Intelligence Community (IC) and/or Department of Defense (DoD).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Business and IT, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Must possess an active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
• Deep architectural understanding and proven ability to support the development of integrated future-state architectures combining Splunk (enterprise logging/SIEM), ServiceNow (ITSM/ITOM), and AppDynamics (application performance monitoring) to deliver holistic operational observability.
• Proven expertise using enterprise architecture methodologies (e.g., JARM, Gartner Enterprise Architecture, FEAF) to manage complex system-of-systems configurations.
• Broad understanding of the notional AI stack, machine learning lifecycles, full lifecycle model management, and integrating massive enterprise datasets with machine learning tools.
• Deep familiarity with secure, scalable hybrid cloud engineering solutions (e.g., AWS, cloud-native architectures) and cross-domain communications.
• Expert-level knowledge of Risk Management Frameworks (RMF), A&A processes, system hardening, and IC directives (including ICD 503, ICD 504, and NIST 800-53 standards).
• Demonstrated experience championing SecDevOps best practices (automated security testing, IaC, CI/CD pipelines) and working within or across Agile/Scrum delivery teams.
• Proficiency utilizing workflow tracking and documentation platforms like JIRA and Confluence to manage system requirements and backlogs.
• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex architectural designs and technical issues into high-impact briefings and customer-facing dashboard presentations for senior executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development, evolution, and alignment of the future-state and integrated technical architecture for critical enterprise platforms, specifically ensuring seamless interoperability between Splunk, ServiceNow, and AppDynamics.
• Define and maintain the end-to-end technical architecture for a centralized IT systems data ecosystem, ensuring complete alignment with strategic modernization goals and federal IT mandates.
• Drive mission enablement for Cyber, IT, and Insight Operations through the deployment of an AI-driven ecosystem that optimizes resources for data-driven success.
• Lead and facilitate leadership offsites, multi-agency working groups, and strategic technical discussions to identify and mitigate infrastructure gaps, platform limitations, technical debt, and disconnected workflows.
• Lead massive-scale systems integration efforts across disparate technical teams, ensuring seamless integration of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and custom-built solutions.
• Build and operationalize robust data governance, data classification, and access control policies across hybrid cloud and on-premise environments in compliance with ICD 503, ICD 504, and upcoming AI mandates (e.g., ICD 505).
• Architect secure network segmentations, zero-trust frameworks, and cross-domain solutions (CDS) within highly complex security enclaves. Ensure technical systems satisfy strict federal accreditation and assessment (A&A) standards.
• Provide technical leadership, conduct comprehensive code/architecture reviews, promote DevSecOps cultures, and establish rigorous performance benchmarks for engineering teams.
• Assist in managing program scope, schedules, milestones, technical dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies to optimize the return on investment (ROI) for critical technical solutions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior