Sr. Director – Solutions Architect

BAE Systems•McLean, VA

2d•$173,023 - $294,137

About The Position

BAE Systems Intel Solutions Business Area is hiring Solutions Architects to serve as primary technical authorities on major defense captures and proposals. Architects own the technical vision from early shaping through proposal delivery, post-submission orals, and program standup. The role calls for deep expertise in one or more domains: IT/cybersecurity, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), DevSecOps, large-scale DoD systems integration, or command and control (C2) systems. The position combines technical leadership, solution architecture, capture strategy, and proposal development. The architect develops secure, scalable, cost-effective and compliant solutions, leads the integrated technical narrative, and guides matrixed teams of engineers, architects, subject-matter experts, writers, and partners. The role requires a demonstrated record of shaping successful defense captures and leading major proposals, along with the ability to communicate technical solutions persuasively to government customers and company leadership. BAE Systems describes its engineering culture as innovation-focused and supportive of continuous learning, experimentation with AI-assisted engineering tools, and technical decision-making based on the best idea. The company’s mission spans defense, aerospace, and security, including air, land, maritime, space, cyber, advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and customer support.

Requirements

Formal Shipley training as a Certified Solution Architect, or equivalent, with relevant domain credentials such as AWS/Azure, INCOSE CSEP, or DoD enterprise architecture certification.
15 or more years of experience in defense/aerospace systems engineering, solution architecture, or technical leadership.
Deep expertise in one or more of the stated focus domains: IT/cybersecurity, MBSE, DevSecOps, large-scale DoD systems integration, or C2 systems.
Active Secret clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or systems engineering.
Demonstrated industry thought leadership and engagement beyond the roles served, relevant to the subject matter.
Strong communication skills and experience shaping and influencing the image of a complex business.
A demonstrated record of personally shaping technical strategies behind contract awards, including the ability to explain key discriminators, architecture tradeoffs, and risk reduction.
Experience owning or co-leading technical volumes for pursuits valued at $100 million or more.
Understanding of how government Source Selection teams evaluate and score proposals, and ability to develop solutions and narratives around evaluation criteria and discriminators.
Experience participating in proposal debriefs and applying lessons from losses to future pursuits.
Active use and integration of generative AI tools, LLMs, AI copilots, or automated analysis platforms into solution design, proposal writing, or engineering workflows.
Knowledge of Shipley or equivalent structured capture methodologies and ability to adapt to compressed timelines, prototype-first pathways, OTA solicitations, and non-traditional formats.
Commitment to ongoing learning through certifications, conferences, communities of practice, technical reading, or hands-on experimentation.
Competitive, intellectually honest, collaborative, and mission-driven leadership approach.

Nice To Haves

Ability to gain SAP access.
Master’s or Ph.D. degree.
Credentials in a relevant domain, such as AWS/Azure, INCOSE CSEP, or DoD enterprise architecture certification.
Experience using structured capture methodologies such as Shipley or equivalent.
Experience with generative AI tools, AI copilots, and automated analysis platforms.

Responsibilities

Lead technical strategy from capture through proposal, including customer engagement, shaping, competitive analysis, and solution positioning.
Analyze requirements, mission gaps, and threat environments to develop solutions aligned with evaluation criteria.
Conduct trade studies and risk evaluations to differentiate the proposed solution.
Deliver capture artifacts such as white papers, briefings, and solution outlines.
Design scalable, secure, cost-effective architectures that comply with RFP requirements and align with enterprise strategy.
Work with pricing and finance to develop solutions aligned with price-to-win objectives and mission value.
Identify opportunities for reuse, automation, open architectures, and AI-enabled efficiencies.
Produce system concepts, architecture diagrams, interface definitions, and risk matrices.
Lead the technical volume and integrated solution narrative for proposals, ensuring compliance with RFP requirements and evaluation criteria.
Translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling proposal content and oversee contributions from writers, engineers, SMEs, and partners.
Lead Pink, Red, and Gold proposal reviews.
Define staffing needs and recruit a matrixed team of engineers, architects, and SMEs; provide technical direction, establish workflows, and mentor team members.
Integrate technology partners by managing scopes, data exchanges, NDAs, and architecture interfaces.
Resolve team conflicts and maintain a unified architecture across contributors.
Present solutions to leadership and government customers and maintain relationships across business development, engineering, and finance.
Participate in debriefs, analyze competitor strengths, and apply lessons learned to future pursuits.