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Enterprise Architecture leader

BAE Systems

Falls Church · On-site Full-time Executive $170k – $288k/yr 1w ago

About the role

Overview

We’re seeking a visionary Enterprise Architecture leader to drive the modernization of our secure, regulated defense‑industry IT environment. You will shape and execute an enterprise‑wide architecture strategy with a strong emphasis on cloud transformation, data architecture, and zero‑trust security, ensuring our corporate IT ecosystem is modern, resilient, compliant, and aligned to business and mission‑support objectives.

This role leads a high impact team of enterprise, business, and solution architects and is responsible for evolving a complex legacy environment into a scalable, cloud‑ready, data‑driven, zero‑trust‑aligned IT landscape.

What You’ll Lead & Deliver

Modernize and Evolve the Enterprise Architecture Practice

  • Define and continuously refine EA’s charter and operating model to prioritize secure cloud adoption, data‑centric design, and zero‑trust principles.
  • Champion architecture as the engine of IT modernization—accelerating digital transformation, improving resiliency, and enabling advanced analytics across the business.
  • Ensure alignment with defense‑relevant compliance frameworks (DFARS, NIST 800‑171/53, CMMC, RMF) and the secure handling of controlled data environments.

Lead a High Performing IT Architecture Organization

  • Develop architecture talent across cloud engineering, data architecture, identity architecture, platform engineering, and integration.
  • Build a team skilled in zero‑trust design, cloud reference architectures, modern data patterns, and secure‑by‑design practices.
  • Foster a culture of innovation balanced with disciplined compliance and governance.

Accelerate Cloud Adoption & Platform Modernization

  • Lead enterprise cloud strategy spanning SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, hybrid and multi‑cloud environments.
  • Oversee cloud‑centric modernization efforts—application rationalization, platform consolidation, cloud migration planning, and cloud‑native architectural patterns.
  • Ensure cloud designs incorporate zero‑trust capabilities, identity modernization, encryption standards, and automated guardrails.

Elevate Data as a Strategic Asset

  • Define enterprise data architecture standards, data governance patterns, and modern data‑platform strategies.
  • Drive the adoption of secure data platforms and analytics capabilities to unlock actionable insights, improve business operations, and strengthen cyber visibility.
  • Ensure data architectures support CUI protection, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.

Embed Zero Trust Across the IT Ecosystem

  • Lead the architecture of zero‑trust identity, access, network segmentation, device posture, and continuous monitoring frameworks.
  • Partner with cybersecurity teams to ensure architecture governance reinforces zero‑trust maturity, threat‑informed design, and proactive risk reduction.
  • Integrate zero‑trust principles into roadmaps, cloud deployments, and enterprise platforms.

Connect Technology Investments to Business & Mission Outcomes

  • Drive alignment between IT investments, business strategy, and value-driven outcomes.
  • Guide leaders on cloud economics, data‑driven opportunities, modernization tradeoffs, and technology‑enabled business capability improvements.
  • Ensure enterprise roadmaps and value streams are cloud‑ready, data‑powered, and cyber‑resilient.

Operate EA as a Strategic Partner to IT Leadership

  • Lead architecture review boards and governance forums that integrate cloud, data, and zero‑trust standards into decision‑making.
  • Deliver consumable, actionable architecture guidance to executives and delivery teams.
  • Balance agility with compliance—empowering teams to innovate while maintaining strong controls and audit readiness.

What You Bring

  • 10+ years of enterprise‑scale IT architecture leadership experience with substantial depth in cloud strategy, data architecture, and cybersecurity frameworks.
  • Strong track record modernizing legacy IT environments using cloud platforms, shared services, and enterprise data strategies.
  • Expertise in zero‑trust architecture, identity modernization, secure cloud design, and regulated data environments (CUI, ITAR/EAR).
  • Exceptional communication, influence, and consulting skills across technical and executive audiences.
  • Ability to translate long‑term technology vision into executable, measurable roadmaps.

Who You Are

  • A respected IT architecture leader with deep experience in cloud, data, and cyber‑secure modernization.
  • Collaborative, pragmatic, and trusted by executives, cyber leadership, and IT delivery teams.
  • Forward‑thinking, detail-oriented, and committed to enabling secure, scalable business operations.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, engineering, information systems, or a related field; equivalent professional experience accepted in place of a degree.
  • Minimum of 10 years of enterprise‑scale IT architecture leadership experience.
  • Proven depth across at least three architecture domains, such as enterprise, business, data, solution, cloud, integration, or security architecture.
  • Demonstrated success modernizing complex, legacy IT environments—especially within secure, regulated, or compliance‑driven industries.
  • Strong expertise in cloud strategy, data architecture, cybersecurity frameworks, and identity modernization.
  • Hands‑on experience working with regulated data environments (CUI, ITAR/EAR) and defense‑aligned frameworks such as NIST 800‑171/53, DFARS, RMF, and CMMC.
  • Ability to convert long‑term architecture vision into actionable, measurable roadmaps driving business and mission outcomes.
  • Exceptional communication and influence skills, with a track record of guiding senior leaders and technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a technical or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of combined experience across enterprise architecture, IT engineering, and operations leadership.
  • Experience with enterprise architecture methodologies (e.g., TOGAF).
  • Broad IT infrastructure understanding with fluency in governance, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and cloud operations.
  • Experience leading architecture review boards, governance committees, or IT investment oversight forums.
  • Deep experience with AWS and/or Azure, including hybrid and multi‑cloud strategies, cloud‑native architectures, and modernization playbooks.
  • Strong understanding of zero trust design, network segmentation, device posture, and secure‑by‑design principles.
  • Experience building and maintaining enterprise architecture standards, reference models, and technical repositories.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $169630 - $288370

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits

At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered:

  • health, dental, and vision insurance
  • health savings accounts
  • a 401(k) savings plan
  • disability coverage
  • life and accident insurance
  • employee assistance program
  • a legal plan
  • other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance.

Our leave programs include:

  • paid time off
  • paid holidays
  • paid parental leave
  • military leave
  • bereavement leave
  • any applicable federal and state sick leave.

Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc.

BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Skills

AWSAzureCMMCCloudData ArchitectureDFARSIdentity ManagementIaaSITAR/EARNIST 800-171/53PaaSRMFSaaSSecurity ArchitectureZero Trust

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