Overview

Steampunk is seeking a Senior Technical Architect to lead our efforts on a DHS Headquarters opportunity. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enterprise systems and solutions and will serve as a key leader in driving technical strategy and implementation across DHS HQ projects. This individual will also build and maintain trusted relationships with DHS HQ senior technical leaders and become a trusted advisor to client leadership and their staff. 

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership: 

• Serve as the primary technical architect for the DHS HQ BPA, providing strategic vision and leadership for all technology-related initiatives. 

• Lead the design and implementation of enterprise systems and solutions that align with DHS’s mission, objectives, and technical environment. 

• Ensure the successful integration and alignment of solutions with DHS HQ’s enterprise architecture, security policies, and technical standards. 

• Design and architect wholistic technical solutions including: applications, data, cloud, DevSecOps automation, and SaaS/PaaS platforms. 

• Select appropriate technologies, framework, and tools to meet business and technical requirements efficiently and cost effectively. 

• Design cloud environments and demonstrate technical cloud architectural knowledge, playing a vital role in the design of production, staging, QA, and development of cloud infrastructures running in 24×7 environments. 

• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand user needs, business needs, and challenges when defining human-centric requirements. 

• Test and validate new technologies or frameworks through PoCs to evaluate their effectiveness before adoption. 

• Coach and mentor other technical leaders and team members. 

 

Client Engagement & Trusted Advisor: 

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with DHS HQ senior technical leaders, providing expert guidance and advisory services on system architecture, modernization strategies, and emerging technologies. 

• Act as a trusted advisor to DHS HQ client leadership, helping them to navigate technical challenges and make informed decisions that align with their strategic goals. 

• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. 

• Lead the design of scalable, secure, and resilient enterprise solutions, ensuring that they meet DHS HQ’s operational and mission-critical needs. 

• Provide oversight and guidance to technical teams throughout the solution development lifecycle, from requirements gathering through implementation, testing, and deployment. 

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineers, developers, cybersecurity experts, and program managers to ensure seamless project execution. 

• Mentor and guide junior architects and technical team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. 

 

Strategic Growth & Innovation: 

• Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements within DHS HQ’s technology ecosystem. 

• Stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in technology, recommending new tools, frameworks, and methodologies that can enhance DHS’s technical capabilities. 

• Play a key role in expanding Steampunk’s presence within DHS by identifying new business opportunities and driving the successful execution of the BPA. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Experience with DHS Enterprise Systems: Minimum of 10+ years of experience working with DHS enterprise systems and solutions, with a focus on large-scale IT initiatives. 

• Client Relationships: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with DHS HQ senior technical leaders and client staff. 

• Technical Expertise: Expertise in enterprise architecture, cloud solutions, security frameworks (e.g., FISMA, NIST), and emerging technologies. 

• Leadership: Proven experience leading technical teams and managing the full lifecycle of large-scale system implementations. 

• Communication Skills: Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Clearance and Education: U.S. Citizens only. Active TS security clearance and bachelor’s degree  

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in managing and overseeing technical strategy and implementation on large BPA or IDIQ contracts. 

• Familiarity with DHS HQ’s technical environment, including experience with mission-critical systems. 

• Certifications such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or similar.