Chief Engineer/Architect — Chantilly, VA

Responsibilities We are seeking a highly experienced Chief Engineer / Chief Architect to provide technical leadership for a complex, mission-focused software and technology platform supporting highly secure government environments. The Chief Engineer will own the technical vision, architecture, engineering standards, and technical execution strategy across cloud, AI/ML, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, software engineering, and platform integration. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who can translate complex architecture into executable engineering plans, defend technical decisions to senior stakeholders, identify risks early, and align diverse engineering teams around a common technical strategy. Key Responsibilities Technical Vision & Architecture • Own the overall technical vision, architecture, and engineering strategy for a complex, multi-platform software environment. • Define and govern a platform-of-platforms architecture , including architectural boundaries, interfaces, integration patterns, and technical standards. • Develop scalable, cloud-agnostic, hybrid, multi-region architectures capable of operating across multiple security environments. • Lead architecture reviews and establish common engineering standards across multi-company, geographically distributed, and multi-cleared engineering teams. • Identify and manage technical dependencies, architecture risks, integration challenges, and schedule constraints. Cloud, DevSecOps & Cybersecurity • Provide technical leadership for DevSecOps, CI/CD, cybersecurity, Zero Trust, container security, and secure software development . • Integrate cATO, RMF, NIST controls, security evidence, and compliance requirements directly into platform architecture and delivery. • Lead the integration of security scanning, monitoring, vulnerability management, and compliance tooling into continuous delivery pipelines. • Ensure security, scalability, and architectural integrity are maintained while enabling rapid, incremental delivery of MVP capabilities. AI/ML & Emerging Technologies • Provide architectural leadership for AI/ML and Generative AI capabilities , including AI governance, security, data protection, guardrails, evaluation, and human oversight. • Translate emerging technologies and research capabilities into practical, production-ready solutions . Engineering Leadership & Execution • Translate complex architecture and technical strategy into executable engineering plans . • Guide rapid, incremental delivery of MVP capabilities while maintaining architectural integrity, security, and scalability. • Bring diverse engineering teams together around a common technical strategy and execution approach. • Mentor senior architects, engineers, and technical leads while fostering a collaborative, high-performing engineering organization. Stakeholder Engagement • • Communicate and defend technical decisions to senior Government, customer, and technical stakeholders . • Provide clear technical direction and recommendations across complex architectural and engineering decisions. • Identify technical risks early, communicate tradeoffs, and develop practical mitigation strategies. Location: This position is fully onsite in Chantilly, VA. Qualifications Required • 15+ years of experience in software engineering, systems architecture, enterprise architecture, or a related technical discipline, including significant technical leadership experience. • Demonstrated experience architecting and delivering large-scale software or platform environments . • Strong experience with cloud architecture, hybrid/multi-cloud environments, distributed systems, and cloud-native technologies . • Demonstrated experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD, secure software development, and cybersecurity architecture . • Experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST security controls, cATO/ATO , or comparable authorization frameworks. • Strong understanding of Zero Trust, container security, identity, network segmentation, and application security . • Experience providing technical leadership for AI/ML or Generative AI capabilities , preferably in secure or regulated environments. • Experience with AI governance, data protection, model security, evaluation, guardrails, and human-in-the-loop controls . • Demonstrated experience leading multi-company, geographically distributed, and/or multi-cleared engineering teams . • Excellent technical communication skills, including the ability to brief and defend architecture decisions to senior stakeholders . • Demonstrated ability to identify technical risks, communicate tradeoffs, and develop practical mitigation strategies. • Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly . Desired • Experience with cloud cost-saving strategies in conjunction with Kubernetes (K8s) and Open Container Initiative (OCI) concepts. • Experience with AWS GovCloud, classified/high-side cloud environments , or comparable Government cloud platforms. • Experience with Amazon Bedrock or comparable enterprise Generative AI platforms. • Experience architecting secure AI-enabled developer environments or coding assistants . • Experience with Platform One, Iron Bank, Certificate to Field (CtF) , or comparable DoD software factory frameworks. • Experience supporting OCONUS or multi-region deployments across multiple security environments. • Experience transitioning emerging technologies or R&D capabilities into production . • Experience delivering MVPs on compressed timelines in classified or highly regulated environments. • Experience supporting GEOINT, Intelligence Community, or DoD mission environments . • Experience with Rust or other systems-level programming languages . • Experience with cloud cost optimization, infrastructure efficiency, and technology tradeoff analysis . Peraton Overview Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure. Target Salary Range $146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. EEO EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.