Chief Architect and Tech Lead in Herndon, Virginia at NetCentrics Corporation

NetCentrics is seeking a highly accomplished Chief Architect and Tech Lead to drive engineering strategy, solution architecture, and technical execution supporting mission-critical initiatives aligned to the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and the Palantir / Maven ecosystem.

This role will serve as the senior technical authority responsible for designing, leading, and delivering advanced operational platforms leveraging technologies such as Palantir Foundry, Gotham, Maven Smart System, AI-enabled analytics, sensor integration, data fusion, and mission software engineering.

The selected candidate will lead high-performing engineering teams, advise executive leadership, engage directly with government stakeholders, and architect solutions that deliver measurable operational impact across DoD and national security missions.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Serve as lead architect across Palantir / Maven-related programs and initiatives.
• Define end-to-end system architecture for operational AI, data platforms, mission systems, and real-time decision support tools.
• Translate customer mission requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Establish engineering standards, reference architectures, security baselines, and delivery frameworks.
• Guide technical roadmaps for future growth and capability expansion.

• Lead implementation efforts involving Palantir Foundry, Gotham, Apollo, Workshop, Ontology, and Maven-related systems.
• Architect data pipelines integrating ISR feeds, sensor data, imagery, logistics systems, and operational datasets.
• Oversee deployment of AI/ML models into operational environments.
• Design solutions for targeting workflows, intelligence exploitation, predictive analytics, and mission planning.

• Lead cross-functional teams of software engineers, data engineers, DevSecOps engineers, and solution architects.
• Provide hands-on technical direction in Python, APIs, cloud-native systems, Kubernetes, and distributed environments.
• Conduct architecture reviews, code quality governance, and performance optimization.
• Remove blockers and accelerate delivery timelines.

• Act as trusted technical advisor to CDAO and government stakeholders.
• Participate in technical briefings, demos, strategy sessions, and roadmap planning.
• Support capture efforts, proposals, ROMs, and technical solutioning for new opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive technical leadership experience.
• 5+ years architecting large-scale defense, intelligence, or federal mission systems.
• Experience with one or more Palantir platforms: Foundry, Gotham, Apollo, Maven, or adjacent ecosystems.
• Strong software engineering background in:
  • Python
  • Java / TypeScript / Go
  • APIs / Microservices
  • Cloud-native systems
  • CI/CD pipelines
• Strong data engineering experience:
  • SQL
  • ETL / ELT
  • Spark
  • Kafka
  • Real-time streaming systems
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, Linux, Infrastructure as Code.
• Active Secret Clearance minimum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• TS/SCI Clearance.
• Prior experience supporting CDAO, DIU, NGA, SOCOM, JSOC, CENTCOM, or intelligence agencies.
• Experience with computer vision, NLP, LLM integrations, or MLOps.
• Experience integrating ISR, GEOINT, FMV, drones, or sensor fusion platforms.
• Familiarity with RMF, STIGs, DISA controls, and Zero Trust architecture.
• Prior military service strongly valued.