Principal Data Architect

Leidos is seeking a Principal Data Architect / Scientist to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. As part of a large-scale Scaled Agile (SAFe) software development organization, you will serve as a technical leader and strategic architect, shaping enterprise data solutions that bridge mission needs, systems engineering rigor, and modern Agile delivery.

This role is ideal for a highly experienced architect who can operate at both strategic and hands-on levels, influence across teams and programs, and drive the evolution of scalable, secure, and resilient data ecosystems. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.

This position is located in either Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.

This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home.

This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the definition and evolution of enterprise data architecture supporting L-CAP

• Architect and govern data mesh-aligned solutions, enabling domain-driven data ownership and interoperability

• Develop and oversee conceptual, logical, and physical data models for complex, mission-critical systems

• Define architecture for hybrid cloud data environments, integrating on-premises and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

• Provide technical leadership for real-time and batch data pipelines, integration frameworks, and data services

• Establish and enforce data governance, metadata management, and data quality standards at enterprise scale

• Partner with senior stakeholders, systems engineers, and product leadership to align data strategy with mission objectives

• Ensure architecture compliance with security, safety, and regulatory requirements for air traffic systems

• Guide and influence Agile Release Trains (ARTs), contributing to SAFe ceremonies and cross-team architectural alignment

• Evaluate and drive adoption of emerging technologies and architectural patterns to enhance platform capabilities

• Mentor architects and engineers, fostering best practices in data architecture, DataOps, and engineering excellence

Core Technical Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)

• 12+ years of relevant experience (10+ years with a Master's degree); particularly in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise data platforms

• Demonstrated experience operating at a Principal or Lead Architect level on large, complex programs

• Deep expertise in distributed data architectures and large-scale data systems

• Advanced proficiency in data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical)

• Strong experience with hybrid cloud architectures and modern data platforms

• Proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, Scala)

• Hands-on experience with data integration and streaming/batch processing technologies (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Airflow, or similar)

• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality, and metadata management frameworks

• Experience working within Scaled Agile (SAFe) or similar Agile frameworks

• Proven ability to influence technical direction and communicate effectively with executive and technical stakeholders

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust

• U.S. citizenship required

• Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer 

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting air traffic management systems, FAA programs, or other safety-critical environments

• Familiarity with data mesh or data fabric architectures in enterprise settings

• Experience designing real-time/streaming data solutions for mission-critical systems

• Knowledge of DevSecOps/DataOps practices and CI/CD pipelines

• Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and/or architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF)

• Experience working in large-scale federal or defense programs

• Active security clearance is desired but not required

Why Leidos?

• Play a key role in shaping next-generation air traffic automation systems with national impact

• Lead architecture within a cutting-edge hybrid cloud, data mesh environment

• Influence technical direction across a large-scale Agile enterprise

• Work alongside top-tier engineers and mission experts

If you’re excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments — we’d like to talk.

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