ART System Architect SME

Leidos National Security Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers’ mission to defend against evolving threats around the world. Our team’s focus is to ensure our customers have the right tools, technologies, and tactics to keep pace with an ever-evolving security landscape and succeed in their pursuit to protect people and critical assets.

The Intelligence Production Solutions Division (IPSD), part of the Decision Advantage Solutions Business Area, is currently seeking a highly experienced Agile Release Train (ART) System Architect SME to provide technical leadership and architectural direction for a large-scale ART on the Chinook Program. This position will require a deep understanding of system architecture, Agile principles, and large-scale software delivery. You will work closely with teams across disciplines to ensure the alignment of architecture, design, and development efforts within the ART, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, secure, and scalable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) solutions for our customer.

Position may be performed in the following locations.  Please note Gaithersburg, MD is the program’s primary work location.

• Gaithersburg, MD
• Alexandria, VA
• Chantilly, VA 
• Tucson, AZ
• Aurora, CO
• St Louis, MO

Clearance Level Required:

Active Top Secret with the ability to obtain SCI, as well as a Polygraph.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of system architecture for the Chinook Program across 12 systems, ensuring the architecture supports scalable, reliable, and secure solutions in an Agile environment.
• Collaborate with the ART leadership, including Release Train Engineers (RTEs), Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and geographically distributed Agile Teams to ensure the integration of architectural principles in the Agile release process.
• Partner with engineering teams, key stakeholders, and program leadership to shape and advance system architecture that drives alignment with program goals and long-term vision.
• Oversee the technical integrity of the solution from initial concept through deployment, including continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate architectural risks that could impact the delivery of the ART’s objectives. Facilitate decision-making to resolve technical challenges and escalations.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends in system architecture, geospatial intelligence, and Agile practices, driving innovation and process improvements with the ART.
• Ensure architectural decisions and rationale are documented and communicated clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure all systems comply with relevant security, privacy, and regulatory requirements, including those set forth by the customer.
• Function as a people manager, with responsibility for performance management, professional development, mentorship, and career path development.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, biannual performance check-ins, and professional development planning with direct reports, proactively address employee relations and morale.
• Enable effective delivery by aligning with cross-functional leaders to refine features, prioritize work, clear roadblocks, and accelerate flow.
• Track ART metrics (velocity, predictability, flow) and deliver transparent reporting to Leidos leadership and customer stakeholders.
• Champion Agile best practices and promote continuous improvement of culture across Chinook development teams by identifying process gaps, implementing Lean-Agile practices, and coaching teams on SAFe principles.
• Deliver regular program updates and status reports to Leidos leadership and the customer, providing insight into ART progress, risks, and valued delivered.
• Mentor RTEs, Scrum Masters and Agile team members on Agile best practices, advanced facilitation, risk management, and DevSecOps best practices.
• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and innovation across geographically dispersed teams.

Basic Qualifications:

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field and 12-15 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) System Architect (ARCH), Practice Consultant (SPC), or similar relevant certification.
• 10+ years of experience in system architecture and software engineering, with a strong focus on large-scale, distributed systems.
• 8+ years of experience working in an Agile environment, specifically within an ART context, using SAFe or other Agile methodologies.
• Proven expertise in system architecture design, including cloud-based solutions, microservices, containerization, and data-driven architecture.
• Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with GEOINT systems is a plus.
• Experience facilitating Agile/SAFe ceremonies across time zones with geographically distributed teams.
• Deep understanding of SAFe, Lean-Agile principles, and DevSecOps practices.
• Proficiency with Agile tools such as Confluence and Jira.
• Experience integrating security and DevOps pipelines in high-assurance software delivery.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate risks and blockers that may impede program success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in Continuous Integration (CI)/Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CD) integration, cloud migration, or enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with geospatial data models and systems, including GIS technologies and applications.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, etc.) and cloud-native architecture.
• Track record of mentoring RTEs, Scrum Masters and Agile teams to higher levels of maturity.

#Chinook

At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”

If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.

Original Posting:

October 20, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.