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Chief Systems Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lockheed Martin

Chief Systems Architect

Stratford, CT · On-site

THE WORK The Chief Systems Architect (CSA) is responsible for creating the systems architecture to be implemented across all programs at Sikorsky. The CSA is responsible for establishing design ...

Lockheed Martin

Chief Systems Architect

Stratford, CT · On-site

THE WORK The Chief Systems Architect (CSA) is responsible for creating the systems architecture to be implemented across all programs at Sikorsky. The CSA is responsible for establishing design ...

Parsons Corporation

Chief Systems Architect

Boulder, CO · On-site

$252K/yr

We are seeking a talented Chief Systems Architect to join our growing team! This opportunity is customer-facing requiring strong communication skills and a willingness to work cross functionally with ...

Parsons

Chief Systems Architect

Boulder, CO · Hybrid

$252K/yr

We are seeking a talented Chief Systems Architect to join our growing team! This opportunity is customer-facing requiring strong communication skills and a willingness to work cross functionally with ...

Integral

Chief Systems Architect

Tysons Corner, VA

The Chief Systems Architect supports the United States Space Force (USSF) for the Ground-Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) program to establish, implement, and facilitate a common Integrated Digital ...

Integral

Chief Systems Architect

Tysons, VA · On-site

Overview The Chief Systems Architect supports the United States Space Force (USSF) for the Ground-Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) program to establish, implement, and facilitate a common Integrated ...

L3 Harris

Chief Systems Engineer

Clifton, NJ · On-site

$153K - $284K/yr

Final technical authority of the core product(s) and programs in alignment/coordination with Chief System Architect * Lead technical council in definition of and provide approval on SW/FW approaches ...

L3 Harris

Chief Systems Engineer

Clifton, NJ · On-site

$284K/yr

Final technical authority of the core product(s) and programs in alignment/coordination with Chief System Architect * Lead technical council in definition of and provide approval on SW/FW approaches ...

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All JobsChief Systems Architect Jobs

Chief Systems Architect information

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$104.5K

$177.6K

$253K

How much do chief systems architect jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief systems architect in the United States is $177,571.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,000.00 and $195,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Chief Systems Architects face when integrating new technologies into existing enterprise systems?

Chief Systems Architects often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new and legacy systems, minimizing downtime during transitions, and managing stakeholder expectations. Balancing innovation with stability is key, as introducing new technologies can disrupt established workflows or introduce unforeseen security vulnerabilities. Effective communication and collaboration with IT, security, and business teams are essential to address these challenges and ensure a smooth integration process.

What are Chief Systems Architects?

Chief Systems Architects are senior technology professionals responsible for designing, overseeing, and guiding the architectural strategy of an organization's IT systems. They ensure that all technological frameworks align with business goals, are scalable, secure, and efficient. Their role involves collaborating with stakeholders, evaluating new technologies, setting technical standards, and leading teams in implementing complex systems. Ultimately, Chief Systems Architects play a critical role in shaping and maintaining the technological backbone of a company.

What is the highest paid architect job?

Chief Systems Architects are among the highest-paid roles in the architecture field, especially in industries like technology and engineering. Senior-level architects with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in complex systems can earn high six-figure salaries or more, often supplemented by bonuses and stock options.

What is the salary of a Chief Architect?

The salary of a Chief Systems Architect typically ranges from $120,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles may include bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, especially in large organizations or tech companies.

What does a chief systems architect do?

A chief systems architect is responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing the overall architecture of complex IT systems within an organization. They analyze business needs, create technical strategies, and ensure system integration, often using tools like cloud platforms and modeling frameworks. Strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and certifications such as TOGAF or CISSP are typically required.

What is the highest salary for a System Architect?

The highest salaries for a Chief Systems Architect can exceed $150,000 to $200,000 annually, especially in large organizations or with extensive experience and advanced certifications. Senior roles involving complex system design and leadership responsibilities tend to offer the highest compensation in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Systems Architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Systems Architect, you need deep expertise in systems engineering, software architecture, and IT infrastructure, typically supported by a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with architectural frameworks (like TOGAF), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and enterprise systems, as well as relevant certifications, is often required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities enable you to translate complex technical concepts and guide cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the development of scalable, robust architectures that align with business goals and drive organizational success.
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Chief Systems Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Systems Architect job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $177,571 per year, or $85.4 per hour.
Chief Systems Architect

Chief Systems Architect

Two Six Technologies

Arlington, VA

Other

Posted 7 days ago

New

Job description

Overview of Opportunity

Two Six Technologies is seeking a visionary Chief Systems Architect to serve as the overarching technical authority for a massive, multi-faceted government program. This is not a standard single-product architecture role; you will be responsible for System-of-Systems (SoS) integration, harmonizing disparate architectures, legacy platforms, and novel partner solutions into a unified, secure, and resilient ecosystem.

In this pivotal role, you will define the blueprint for interoperability, translate complex operational requirements into distributed technical components, and ensure the collective solution minimizes total cost of ownership while maximizing mission impact. If you excel at turning architectural chaos into a synchronized, high-performing global capability, this role is for you.

The work will be onsite based out of the Arlington, Virginia office.

What You Will Do

As the Chief Systems Architect at Two Six Technologies, you will drive the transformation of mission-critical systems for a high-visibility government customer. Your core responsibilities will include:

  • Drive System-of-Systems Strategy: Design, own, and execute the macro-level enterprise architecture strategy. Define the integration fabrics, APIs, and data standards required to tie together diverse vendor solutions and legacy applications into a cohesive, cloud-native ecosystem.

  • Serve as the Ultimate Technical Authority: Act as the primary technical arbiter across cloud, data engineering, distributed microservices, and cross-domain solution integration.

  • Architect for Interoperability & Security: Establish a composable framework that ensures seamless interoperability across disparate technical stacks while enforcing strict DevSecOps pipelines and Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles.

  • Translate Mission to Tech: Partner with product owners, program executives, and government stakeholders to dissect vague, high-level operational needs into rigorous technical specifications and architectural allocations.

  • Advise & Influence Leadership: Evaluate complex technology trade-offs (e.g., build vs. buy, tech debt vs. speed), identify emerging innovation vectors, and deliver compelling, strategic briefings to senior corporate and government mission leaders.

  • Unify Engineering Teams: Provide technical mentorship and alignment across multiple high-performing, multi-disciplinary engineering cohorts to ensure decentralized execution matches the centralized architectural vision.

What You Need to Be Successful

To be considered for this high-impact role, you must meet the following baseline criteria:

  • Experience: 15+ years of progressive IT and engineering experience, with at least 5+ years as a Chief or Principal Architect leading large-scale, multi-vendor modernization and systems integration efforts.

  • Complex Integration Expertise: Proven track record of successfully integrating disparate architectures, heterogeneous data streams, and siloed software solutions into a singular enterprise platform for the DoW or IC.

  • Cloud & Distributed Systems Mastery: Deep architecture experience with AWS GovCloud/Azure Government, Kubernetes, container orchestration, and mesh networks.

  • Data Fabric Modernization: Strong background engineering modern data platforms, distributed data systems, and real-time analytics pipelines.

  • Agile at Scale: Demonstrated proficiency guiding large-scale architectures within Agile frameworks (e.g., SAFe, Scrum@Scale) and automated CI/CD delivery pipelines.

  • Executive Communication: Exceptional ability to distill highly complex, multi-layered technical strategies into clear, value-driven roadmaps for non-technical and senior military/civilian leaders.

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience/certifications).

  • Mobility: Willingness to travel as required by the position.

Security Clearance

  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance

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