Software Engineering Lead and Application Architect - TS/SCI with Polygraph

Type of Requisition: Regular Clearance Level Must Currently Possess: Top Secret SCI + Polygraph Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Top Secret SCI + Polygraph Public Trust/Other Required: None Job Family: IT Infrastructure and Operations Job Qualifications: Skills: Applications Architecture, Architecture Principles, DevSecOps Certifications: None Experience: 10 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required: Yes Job Description: We are seeking a Lead Engineer to drive the end-to-end software engineering function for mission and enterprise applications across classified environments. This role is accountable for application architecture, secure development standards, the full development lifecycle, and the overall technical health of the application portfolio, including management of technical debt, code quality, integration patterns, and production readiness. Key Responsibilities Own application architecture principles, reference patterns, technology standards, coding standards, API/event patterns, UI practices, and technical exception decisions. Lead software teams delivering web, backend, API, workflow, data-integrated, ServiceNow-adjacent, and AI-enabled mission capabilities. Establish repository, branching, code review, automated testing, dependency, security scanning, release, documentation, and definition-of-done standards. Translate approved requirements and acceptance criteria into solution designs, increments, technical backlogs, estimates, risks, and production-ready releases. Design integration and modernization approaches for legacy systems using adapters, APIs, events, strangler patterns, feature flags, and graceful degradation. Ensure applications implement identity/access, data classification, validation, audit/logging, error handling, accessibility/usability, resilience, and performance requirements. Partner with Platform/DevSecOps, Security, Data, AI, ServiceNow, Requirements, and Service Operations on lifecycle gates and operational handoff. Manage technical debt, architecture drift, defect trends, test coverage, vulnerability remediation, performance, and reliability improvement. Hire, lead, mentor, assign, review, and develop software personnel; address performance issues and create progression paths. Brief Government and program leadership on delivery status, technical risk, alternatives, product quality, and roadmap decisions. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or approved equivalent experience. Location: Onsite Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph 12+ years of professional software development experience, including 5+ years leading development teams and 3+ years in application architecture or technical-lead authority. Deep production experience in at least two enterprise language stacks, such as Python, Java, C#/.NET, TypeScript/JavaScript/Node, Go, or C++. Strong experience with web/API architecture, relational and non-relational data, integration, authentication/authorization, testing, observability, and production operations. Experience establishing secure SDLC/DevSecOps practices with Git, peer review, automated testing, CI/CD, dependency/container scanning, artifact promotion, and release controls. Experience modernizing or integrating legacy enterprise systems under uptime, security, and compatibility constraints. Working knowledge of containers, Kubernetes/OpenShift, Azure/government cloud, internal artifact management, and disconnected development. Strong understanding of RMF/STIG, secure coding, data handling, auditability, vulnerability remediation, and production-readiness evidence. Demonstrated people leadership, hiring, delegation, mentoring, performance management, conflict resolution, and cross-team delivery. Experience briefing Government customers and translating mission outcomes into executable application plans. Preferred Qualifications Experience with AI-enabled application patterns, RAG integration, ServiceNow development/integration, workflow automation, or operational analytics. Experience with microservices and modular monoliths, event-driven architecture, API gateways, message queues, and contract/schema governance. Experience with SRE practices, performance testing, resilience, feature flags, progressive delivery, and accessibility. CSSLP, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, DevOps Engineer Expert, and relevant architecture/agile/SAFe credentials Prior DoW/IC application delivery in a disconnected environment. GDIT IS YOUR PLACE At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do. Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY Explore an enterprise IT career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your desire to drive operations forward. #GDITcareers #OpportunityOwned #WeAreGDIT #transitioningmilitary #clearedjobs #veterans #Autobots #IntelligenceEngineered The likely salary range for this position is $161,500 - $218,500. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Travel Required: None T elecommuting Options: Onsite Work Location: USA VA Chantilly Additional Work Locations: Total Rewards at GDIT: Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, d