Lead System Architect

Description

Leidos is seeking a Lead System Architect to serve as the top technical authority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program. The position serves as the technical conscience of the program and is accountable for defining, safeguarding, and evolving the system architecture so the solution functions as an integrated, cost-effective whole that satisfies all contract and mission requirements.

The Lead System Architect formulates and owns the top-level architecture across hardware, software, infrastructure topology, data, cybersecurity, and external interfaces. This role partners closely with the Program Manager and Chief Engineer to ensure the system delivers what was promised, remains compliant, and is positioned for modernization, growth, and future mission expansion.

Core Responsibilities

Architecture Ownership & Governance

• Define and maintain the system architecture baseline (hardware, software, topology, interfaces, data, security)

• Approve and adjudicate architectural changes

• Ensure the implemented solution satisfies all contract technical requirements

• Safeguard architectural integrity even through cost and schedule pressures

• Conceptually formulate integrated system solutions that meet operational needs and user requirements

• Define hardware and software design criteria

• Identify appropriate COTS, reuse, and modernization components

• Perform trade studies evaluating performance, cost, schedule, risk, reliability, and security

• Define interface and interconnect specifications, including integration with NAS systems both locally and thru SWIM

• Ensure system-of-systems integration across FAA environments

• Support verification and test planning for requirements and interfaces

• Participate in major lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)

• Plan and execute analyses and modeling to assess performance, availability, reliability, and operational suitability

• Identify architectural risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation strategies

• Identify required subject matter expertise, tools, and techniques to meet technical objectives

• Act as the technical conscience of the program, ensuring solution quality is not compromised

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking technology roadmap aligned with FAA strategic objectives

• Evaluate emerging technologies and define transition strategies for modernization

• Conceptually shape future system enhancements and capability expansions

• Support technical solution development for follow-on efforts, contract modifications, and growth opportunities

• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to ensure architectural continuity between current program execution and future solutions

• Ensure proposed enhancements align with the established architecture baseline and long-term system vision

• Define and execute a strategic roadmap for AI-enabled engineering transformation within the program

• Lead responsible integration of Generative AI into systems engineering and software development activities

• Implement AI-assisted capabilities for:

• Requirements analysis and traceability

• Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) artifacts

• Code generation and review

• Automated test development

• Compliance and documentation automation

• Establish governance and guardrails to ensure AI adoption aligns with FAA policies, federal AI directives, and Zero Trust principles

• Ensure innovation enhances quality, compliance, and mission effectiveness in a regulated environment

• Work closely with FAA stakeholders, engineers, managers, and users to ensure risks, issues, and solutions are clearly communicated

• Partner with the Program Manager and Chief Engineer to align technical execution with customer vision

• Serve as the senior technical interface for architectural matters

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience

• 8+ Years of Specialized experience - includes: supervision of system architects, use of structured analysis, design methodologies and design tools, and other design techniques, object- oriented principles, and experience with the logical and physical functional, operation, and technical architecture of large and complex information systems

• Direct TFDM experience strongly preferred

• Demonstrated experience serving as senior technical authority on a complex, operational program

• Experience formulating and governing large-scale system architectures

• Experience with NAS system integrations

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (Rhapsody or Cameo preferred)

• Experience designing and evaluating:

• Distributed architectures

• Containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes)

• High-availability systems

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Prior experience serving as System Architect, Software Architect, or Product Architect on an FAA program

• Experience supporting technical solutioning for follow-on contracts or program growth

• Experience modernizing legacy systems to cloud-native architectures

• Experience implementing AI-enabled engineering practices in regulated federal environments

• Familiarity with cost estimation