Application Architect

Application Architect

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead the design, development, integration, and modernization of enterprise applications supporting Digital Solution Development, Automation, and Infrastructure Support initiatives.
• Define application architecture strategies, standards, and best practices that align with organizational goals and technology roadmaps.
• Design scalable, secure, resilient, and high-performing application solutions to support mission and business requirements.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, developers, engineers, and infrastructure teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Evaluate existing applications, systems, and technology environments to identify modernization and optimization opportunities.
• Develop architectural artifacts including solution designs, technical roadmaps, interface specifications, data flow diagrams, and architecture documentation.
• Guide the implementation of cloud-based, hybrid, and on-premises application architectures.
• Lead application integration efforts involving APIs, web services, middleware, and enterprise platforms.
• Provide technical leadership for software development activities throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
• Establish and enforce architecture governance, design reviews, coding standards, and technology selection processes.
• Support automation initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency through workflow automation and digital solutions.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure application architectures comply with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that improve service delivery, user experience, and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee application performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability considerations throughout the development lifecycle.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to developers, engineers, analysts, and other technical personnel.
• Supervise technical teams, assign work priorities, monitor performance, and support professional development activities.
• Participate in project planning, risk management, budgeting, and resource allocation discussions.
• Support system implementation, deployment, and transition activities ensuring architectural integrity is maintained.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate with infrastructure and operations teams to ensure applications are aligned with enterprise technology environments.
• Support business continuity, disaster recovery, and high-availability planning activities.
• Participate in executive briefings, technical reviews, and stakeholder meetings to communicate architecture decisions and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, federal standards, and industry best practices.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on application modernization, automation, and digital transformation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 9 years of directly related experience in application architecture, software engineering, systems design, or enterprise application development.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or technical leadership experience directing teams and managing technical activities.
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale applications and distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of application architecture principles, software design patterns, and system integration methodologies.
• Experience supporting cloud-based, hybrid, and on-premises application environments.
• Knowledge of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, DevSecOps, and Waterfall frameworks.
• Experience with API design, web services, microservices architectures, and enterprise integrations.
• Familiarity with application security principles, identity management, and secure software development practices.
• Experience developing technical architecture documentation, solution designs, and implementation roadmaps.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• U.S. Citizen, and ability to get the clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) programs.
• Experience leading digital transformation, automation, and application modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Experience with DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD tools, and infrastructure automation technologies.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, FEAF, or Zachman.
• Experience integrating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), SaaS, and custom-developed applications.
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, TOGAF, CISSP, PMP, or related technical certifications.
• Experience with Zero Trust, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and enterprise security architectures.