SENIOR ADVISOR, CHIEF SOFTWARE ARCHITECT at Department Of Defense
Quantico, VA 22134
About the Job
Duties
As the Chief Software Architect, the position will advise senior management by providing insights on the best design and development of complex software systems to meet the NBIS mission
NBIS is the federal government's one-stop-shop IT system for end-to-end personnel vetting - from initiation and application to background investigation, adjudication, and continuous vetting
NBIS will be one consolidated system designed to deliver robust data protection, enhance customer experience, and better integrate data across the enterprise
The Chief Software Architect will ensure the alignment of software development with the programs' s business strategy, technology direction, and priorities
The incumbent performs a variety of duties and is responsible for the following:
Strategic Leadership:
- Define and communicate the program's software architecture strategy, vision, and roadmap, ensuring integration with software development initiatives.
- Align software architecture with business goals, processes, and strategic objectives, focusing on software alignment across teams.Architectural Design and Oversight:
- Design and oversee the architecture of complex software systems, ensuring high performance, scalability, and reliability.
- Develop architectural frameworks, guidelines, and standards for software development and testing to be followed by development teams.Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with product managers to understand and incorporate requirements into the software architecture and integration processes.
- Regularly communicate architectural decisions and directions to senior management and key stakeholders, fostering transparency.
- Foster collaboration between software engineers, system architects, and other technical staff to enhance integration and alignment.Technical Guidance and Mentorship:
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software development teams, focusing on best practices in coding and testing.
- Conduct architectural reviews and code reviews, ensuring adherence to best practices, standards, and effective software testing protocols.Documentation and Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and industry standards in all software development, integration, and testing activities.Quality and Performance:
- Ensure software solutions meet or exceed security, performance, and quality standards through rigorous testing and evaluation.
- Implement and oversee practices to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the software development lifecycle, emphasizing continuous integration and testing.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S CitizenMale born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective ServiceResume and supporting documents received by 11:59 PM EST will be consideredThis is a Drug Testing designated positionPosition is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C 1601Tour of Duty: Flexible within Agency policyPermanent Change of Station (PCS): May be AuthorizedSupervisory Position: NoFair Labor Standard Act (FLSA): ExemptFinancial Disclosure: OGE-278e, Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure, is requiredTelework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible, but is not a full time telework position
The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.This position is designated Special Sensitive, the incumbent must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.The incumbent may be subject to a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless required trial period has been served.The incumbent may be subject to a one-year DISL trial period, unless required trial period has been served.This position may require occasional Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) and/or local travel.This position is designated as Mission Essential
QualificationsTECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications
You must address each technical qualification separately
Please limit your written statements to 2 pages per technical qualification.Extensive Software Development Experience & Architectural Design and Patterns: Expert knowledge in software development, with hands-on experience in coding and development practices
This typically involves proficiency in multiple programming languages and paradigms such as object-oriented, functional, and concurrent programming
A deep understanding of software architecture principles and design patterns is essential
This includes experience with architectural styles such as microservices, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and event-driven architecture
Familiarity with design patterns like Model View Controller, Django, ASP, Angular, Spring, Symfony, or Ruby
The Chief Software Architect must have a solid command on technology and industry trends
Must be well-versed in current technology trends and tools, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and emerging technologies like AI/ML and blockchain.Experience in System Integration and Scalability: Demonstrated proficiency in designing systems that are scalable, robust, and secure
This means having a solid understanding of load balancing, distributed systems, cloud computing, and integration of disparate systems through APIs or middleware.Exceptional problem-solving skills are necessary to address complex software design and architectural issues
This involves the ability to critically analyze technology problems, assess the feasibility of technology solutions, and make data-driven decisions to ensure optimal architecture alignment with business goals
Demonstrated mastery of communication skills, both written and oral, to represent the concepts and programmatic proposals internal to and externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies and enlist them in support of program and acquisition direction and requirements.Experience in developing and maintaining technology strategy and oversight of complex IT acquisition programs; portfolio management expertise should include prioritization, workforce optimization, architecture integration, and agile development, resource planning, to include agile lean portfolio management
Expert knowledge and experience in agile program management of large-scale information technology systems acquisition programs, and a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Program Management Practitioner or Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner certification with a requirement to complete advanced in 12 months.Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.Additional informationThis position may be extended, and may become permanent without further competition
Per DoDI 1400.25-V2005, term appointments terminate automatically upon the expiration date unless approval has been granted for an extension or the employee resigns or is separated at an earlier date These appointments may be terminated at any time by the DoD Component.
Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified.Joint Duty Credit: All DCSA executive level positions require Joint Duty Credit
Only those candidates who meet the Joint Duty Credit requirement will be eligible to compete/be considered for a senior executive position
Employees will receive joint duty credit for many almost any rotational assignments assignment to another IC component and may also be eligible to receive credit for service outside the IC (military, other government, or private sector) that was at least at the GS/GG-11 or DCIPS Pay Band 3 level, that and it occurred on or after September 11, 2001
An external candidate, if selected, will be required to immediately apply for Joint Duty credit
Note: Employees without Joint Duty Credit may apply for the position and can be considered
If selected, a waiver would be required prior to final appointment
DCSA seniors without Joint Duty at the same tier level may lateral into the position if selected without requesting a waiver
Help
A career with the U.S
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above
We will review your resume and supporting documents, for quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience and education as it relates to the fundamental competencies required for this position
Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check process.
As the Chief Software Architect, the position will advise senior management by providing insights on the best design and development of complex software systems to meet the NBIS mission
NBIS is the federal government's one-stop-shop IT system for end-to-end personnel vetting - from initiation and application to background investigation, adjudication, and continuous vetting
NBIS will be one consolidated system designed to deliver robust data protection, enhance customer experience, and better integrate data across the enterprise
The Chief Software Architect will ensure the alignment of software development with the programs' s business strategy, technology direction, and priorities
The incumbent performs a variety of duties and is responsible for the following:
Strategic Leadership:
- Define and communicate the program's software architecture strategy, vision, and roadmap, ensuring integration with software development initiatives.
- Align software architecture with business goals, processes, and strategic objectives, focusing on software alignment across teams.Architectural Design and Oversight:
- Design and oversee the architecture of complex software systems, ensuring high performance, scalability, and reliability.
- Develop architectural frameworks, guidelines, and standards for software development and testing to be followed by development teams.Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with product managers to understand and incorporate requirements into the software architecture and integration processes.
- Regularly communicate architectural decisions and directions to senior management and key stakeholders, fostering transparency.
- Foster collaboration between software engineers, system architects, and other technical staff to enhance integration and alignment.Technical Guidance and Mentorship:
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software development teams, focusing on best practices in coding and testing.
- Conduct architectural reviews and code reviews, ensuring adherence to best practices, standards, and effective software testing protocols.Documentation and Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and industry standards in all software development, integration, and testing activities.Quality and Performance:
- Ensure software solutions meet or exceed security, performance, and quality standards through rigorous testing and evaluation.
- Implement and oversee practices to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the software development lifecycle, emphasizing continuous integration and testing.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S CitizenMale born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective ServiceResume and supporting documents received by 11:59 PM EST will be consideredThis is a Drug Testing designated positionPosition is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C 1601Tour of Duty: Flexible within Agency policyPermanent Change of Station (PCS): May be AuthorizedSupervisory Position: NoFair Labor Standard Act (FLSA): ExemptFinancial Disclosure: OGE-278e, Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure, is requiredTelework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible, but is not a full time telework position
The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.This position is designated Special Sensitive, the incumbent must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.The incumbent may be subject to a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless required trial period has been served.The incumbent may be subject to a one-year DISL trial period, unless required trial period has been served.This position may require occasional Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) and/or local travel.This position is designated as Mission Essential
QualificationsTECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications
You must address each technical qualification separately
Please limit your written statements to 2 pages per technical qualification.Extensive Software Development Experience & Architectural Design and Patterns: Expert knowledge in software development, with hands-on experience in coding and development practices
This typically involves proficiency in multiple programming languages and paradigms such as object-oriented, functional, and concurrent programming
A deep understanding of software architecture principles and design patterns is essential
This includes experience with architectural styles such as microservices, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and event-driven architecture
Familiarity with design patterns like Model View Controller, Django, ASP, Angular, Spring, Symfony, or Ruby
The Chief Software Architect must have a solid command on technology and industry trends
Must be well-versed in current technology trends and tools, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and emerging technologies like AI/ML and blockchain.Experience in System Integration and Scalability: Demonstrated proficiency in designing systems that are scalable, robust, and secure
This means having a solid understanding of load balancing, distributed systems, cloud computing, and integration of disparate systems through APIs or middleware.Exceptional problem-solving skills are necessary to address complex software design and architectural issues
This involves the ability to critically analyze technology problems, assess the feasibility of technology solutions, and make data-driven decisions to ensure optimal architecture alignment with business goals
Demonstrated mastery of communication skills, both written and oral, to represent the concepts and programmatic proposals internal to and externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies and enlist them in support of program and acquisition direction and requirements.Experience in developing and maintaining technology strategy and oversight of complex IT acquisition programs; portfolio management expertise should include prioritization, workforce optimization, architecture integration, and agile development, resource planning, to include agile lean portfolio management
Expert knowledge and experience in agile program management of large-scale information technology systems acquisition programs, and a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Program Management Practitioner or Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner certification with a requirement to complete advanced in 12 months.Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.Additional informationThis position may be extended, and may become permanent without further competition
Per DoDI 1400.25-V2005, term appointments terminate automatically upon the expiration date unless approval has been granted for an extension or the employee resigns or is separated at an earlier date These appointments may be terminated at any time by the DoD Component.
Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified.Joint Duty Credit: All DCSA executive level positions require Joint Duty Credit
Only those candidates who meet the Joint Duty Credit requirement will be eligible to compete/be considered for a senior executive position
Employees will receive joint duty credit for many almost any rotational assignments assignment to another IC component and may also be eligible to receive credit for service outside the IC (military, other government, or private sector) that was at least at the GS/GG-11 or DCIPS Pay Band 3 level, that and it occurred on or after September 11, 2001
An external candidate, if selected, will be required to immediately apply for Joint Duty credit
Note: Employees without Joint Duty Credit may apply for the position and can be considered
If selected, a waiver would be required prior to final appointment
DCSA seniors without Joint Duty at the same tier level may lateral into the position if selected without requesting a waiver
Help
A career with the U.S
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above
We will review your resume and supporting documents, for quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience and education as it relates to the fundamental competencies required for this position
Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check process.
