Software Architect Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Intel Sector Office of Technology (OOT) has an opening for a Chief Software Architect (CSA) to lead software architecture strategy, standards, and execution across the Sector.

Position Summary:
The Intel Sector CSA will be responsible for defining and driving next-generation, mission-ready software architectures that integrate intelligence tradecraft, mission software, cyber, and multi-INT capabilities at speed and scale.

This leader will bring an understanding of US Intelligence Community (IC) architecture, mission platforms, and modern software engineering practices to deliver secure, AI-enabled, and operationally deployable systems across all Sector Business Areas (BAs).
The CSA will partner with the Sector and BA CTOs, AI Lead, Solution Architects, and the Sector's community of developers to architect and deliver platform-based, reusable, and composable software ecosystems that accelerate mission outcomes and differentiate Leidos in the Intelligence Community. The CSA will also collaborate with Leidos SW Accelerator resources and peer teams across other Sectors to leverage evolving and mature patterns found elsewhere in the company for us in the IC.

This role is central to advancing the Sector's shift toward:
Platform-centric architectures
Agentic AI-enabled workflows and mission systems
Rapid, AI-assisted software development and deployment
Integrated multi-INT, TCPED, and cyber capabilities

Aligned to Sector priorities, the CSA will enable delivery of "ready-now" mission software that meets customer expectations for speed, resilience, and operational impact.

Key Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of this position include:
Defining the Sector's SW architecture strategy by ensuring alignment with business strategy, IC architectures, environments, and constraints. Maturing platforms used inside the Sector and across Leidos that support Multi-INT data fusion and analytics, Mission software and cyber, and AI-enabled and agentic systems. Driving transition from system-centric to platform-centric architectures, enabling reuse and interoperability

Leading the Sector's transition to AI-Native & Modern Software Development by leveraging LLM-powered development (code generation, review, testing). Establishing Agentic AI frameworks for mission workflows, and championing "vibe coding" and AI-assisted development paradigms to Increase developer velocity and reduce cost and time-to-delivery
The CSA will support Growth, Capture, and Customer Engagement by serving as the lead software architect for priority captures and proposals, including shaping differentiated, architecture-led solutions and defining technical baselines and solution roadmaps. The CSA will engage directly with IC and DoD customers to influence requirements and architectures and demonstrate mission-ready platforms and prototypes. Helping lead Leidos to more non-traditional acquisitions (OTA, CSO, etc.) with rapid prototyping will be critical to success.
As a leader in the Sector, the CSA will build and lead a Sector-wide software architecture community of practice. They will mentor solution architects and engineers in modern architecture patterns, AI-enabled development, and mission-focused design.
In collaboration with Leidos OOT, SW Accelerator, CIO, and partner Sectors, the CSA will establish reusable architecture patterns, code libraries and frameworks, and platform services
Above all, the CSA will ensure the Intel Sector's SW solutions are innovative and create revolutionary gains in efficiency and effectiveness. They will help with rapid transition of IRAD and Contract R&D (CRAD) prototypes into operational systems, and will lead demonstrations and prototypes to outpace competitors and disrupt the market

Basic Qualifications:
Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). Additional years may be used in lieu of a degree.
15+ years of experience in software architecture and engineering for mission-critical systems
7+ years supporting U.S. Intelligence Community or DoD programs
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering:
o Large-scale distributed systems
o Cloud-native and edge architectures
o DevSecOps pipelines and secure software systems
Experience with:
o AI/ML systems, including LLMs and agentic workflows
o Multi-INT or data fusion platforms
o Cyber and secure system architectures
Proven ability to lead architecture for large capture and proposal efforts
Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

Desired Qualifications:
Deep understanding of NSG architecture, IC enterprise systems, and GEOINT ecosystems
Experience modernizing TCPED workflows and analyst platforms
Experience with:
o Graph-based architectures and knowledge systems
o Digital twins and simulation environments
o Cyber reasoning systems and automated security tooling
Demonstrated success implementing:
o Platform-based architectures
o AI-assisted software development practices
Experience working with:
o NGA, NRO, NSA, DIA, ODNI environments
Strong executive communication and ability to influence senior IC stakeholders
Proven "triple-threat" leadership traits (technical, business, and mission acumen) aligned with Sector expectations

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.