Systems Architect - TS/SCI w/ Poly required

We are seeking a hands-on Systems Architect (SME) with deep expertise across infrastructure, platforms, and application ecosystems spanning cloud and on-premises environments. This role requires a proven practitioner who can analyze existing (“as-is”) systems and applications, document current state architectures, design future- state solutions, and implement system enhancements or technology transformations end-to-end. The ideal candidate is a technical leader and doer, not just an advisor – someone who can seamlessly collaborate across infrastructure, platform, application, DevSecOps, information systems security, and data teams while maintaining ownership of system reliability, performance, scalability, and security. QUALIFICATIONS  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience.  Minimum ten (10) years of related experience REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience in all the following areas: Infrastructure & Platforms  Enterprise networking (e.g., routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)  Storage technologies (e.g., SAN, NAS, object storage)  Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)  Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)  IdAM – Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ Cloud & On-Prem Technologies  Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)  Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration  Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization Data & Application Platforms  Relational and NoSQL databases – relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases  Web services, APIs, and middleware  Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals  Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ) Engineering & Automation  Infrastructure as Code – Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation  Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)  CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, Gitlab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)  Security best practices and system hardening  Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch Architecture & Design  Ability to create: o As-is architecture documentation o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs o Implementation and migration plans DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS  Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)  Zero Trust and modern security architectures  Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure  Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments  Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture)  Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker)  Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google, BigQuery)  Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies  Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, ITIL Foundation KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications  Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures  Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives  Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades  Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements  Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines  Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications  Collaborate effectively with: o Infrastructure & Platform Engineers o Software Engineers o DevOps / DevSecOps Engineers o Data Engineers (ETL) o Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts  Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks  Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex system issues  Communication Skills: o Ability to brief executives clearly and translate technical issues into business impact o Ability to work across organizations (internal and IC) to implement complex solutions Ideal Candidate Profile  Recognized SME with deep, hands-on technical expertise  Strong systems thinker with the ability to see and engineer across the full stack  Comfortable operating at both strategic architecture and tactical implementation levels  Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams  Proven ability to own complex systems from design through production QUALIFICATIONS  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT or related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience.  Minimum ten (10) years of related experience REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience in all the following areas: Infrastructure & Platforms  Enterprise networking (e.g., routing, switching, firewalls, load balancers, DNS)  Storage technologies (e.g., SAN, NAS, object storage)  Container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker)  Linux (Redhat, CentOS) operating systems (administration, hardening, automation)  IdAM – Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hands-on for AuthN and AuthZ Cloud & On-Prem Technologies  Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and/or GCP)  Hybrid and on-prem infrastructure design and integration  Cloud networking, identity, security, and cost optimization Data & Application Platforms  Relational and NoSQL databases – relational (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Redis) databases  Web services, APIs, and middleware  Software development lifecycle (SDLC) fundamentals  Event-based messaging systems (e.g., SQS, SNS, RabbitMQ) Engineering & Automation  Infrastructure as Code – Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation  Configuration management and scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.)  CI/CD integration with infrastructure and platforms (e.g., Jenkins, Gitlab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, GitOps, ArgoCD)  Security best practices and system hardening  Monitoring & Incident Response: Proficiency with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, ELK Stack, CloudWatch Architecture & Design  Ability to create: o As-is architecture documentation o To-be architecture and detailed engineering designs o Implementation and migration plans DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS  Observability and monitoring tools (e.g., logging, metrics, tracing)  Zero Trust and modern security architectures  Data analytics, AI/ML platform exposure  Experience supporting production or mission-critical environments  Relevant certifications (e.g., cloud, systems, security, or architecture)  Knowledge of machine learning platforms (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, SageMaker)  Familiarity with big data ecosystems (e.g., Hadoop, Databricks, Snowflake, Google, BigQuery)  Strong background in ITIL processes and agile methodologies  Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer, Azure Administrator, Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, ITIL Foundation KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  Perform hands-on systems engineering across network, compute, storage, operating systems, middleware, databases, and applications  Analyze and document as-is infrastructure, platform, and application architectures  Work with the System Architect and Cloud Architect to create the detail engineering designs for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives  Lead and execute cloud and on-prem system implementations, migrations, and upgrades  Ensure systems meet availability, scalability, performance, security, and compliance requirements  Integrate infrastructure and platforms with DevOps and DevSecOps pipelines  Troubleshoot complex, cross-stack issues spanning infrastructure, platforms, and applications  Collaborate effectively with: o Infrastructure & Platform Engineers o Software Engineers o DevOps / DevSecOps Engineers o Data Engineers (ETL) o Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts  Produce clear technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and runbooks  Serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex system issues  Communication Skills: o Ability to brief executives clearly and translate technical issues into business impact o Ability to work across organizations (internal and IC) to implement complex solutions Ideal Candidate Profile  Recognized SME with deep, hands-on technical expertise  Strong systems thinker with the ability to see and engineer across the full stack  Comfortable operating at both strategic architecture and tactical implementation levels  Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams  Proven ability to own complex systems from design through production Leading Path is an award-winning Information Technology and Management Consulting firm focused on providing solutions in process, technology, and operations to our government and Fortune 500 clients. We offer a professional and family friendly work environment with a strong work-life balance. Leading Path provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including fully paid medical/dental/vision premiums, generous PTO, 11 Paid Holidays, 6% 401K contribution, annual training and tuition reimbursement, SPOT Award bonuses, regular team events, opportunities for professional growth and advancement and much more!