Enterprise Architect

Edgewater Federal Solutions is a member of a Joint Venture (JV) that is seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to support the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center to provide high-level scientific and technical expertise. The ideal candidate must reside in, or be willing to relocate to Sioux Falls, SD and be available for occasional travel to USGS stakeholder locations. 

The Enterprise Architect will play a key leadership role in designing, implementing, and maintaining the enterprise IT architecture for the USGS EROS Center. The Enterprise Architect will ensure alignment between the organization’s goals and technological strategies, focusing on scalability, interoperability, and support for satellite data reception, processing, archiving, and distribution systems. This role requires close collaboration with USGS stakeholders, contractors, and external agencies. 

Enterprise Architecture Development: 

• Lead the development and maintenance of EROS-wide enterprise architecture frameworks. 

• Establish architectural standards, policies, and procedures for information technology infrastructure, satellite systems, and data management solutions. 

• Develop roadmaps for current and future state architectures to support mission-critical projects. 

• Create strategic plans describing the gaps between current and target state. 

• Define models, including solution patterns, to guide solution decisions. 

Systems Integration and Technology Alignment: 

• Ensure integration of cloud computing, storage infrastructure, network systems, and software platforms. 

• Identify and implement solutions for seamless interoperability between EROS systems and ground stations, as well as other federal or international partners. 

• Support systems related to satellite telemetry, data acquisition, processing, archiving, and distribution. 

• Focus on improving current IT infrastructure, optimizing IT operations, and setting the direction and approach for integrating information applications and programs. 

• Determine and develop architectural approaches and solutions by conducting IT reviews, documenting current systems, and developing recommendations at the capability level. 

• Evaluate current architecture and lead analysis of the current technology environment to detect critical deficiencies and recommend solutions for improvement. 

Project and Program Support: 

• Collaborate with program managers and stakeholders to align IT strategy with scientific missions such as remote sensing, hazard early warning, and environmental monitoring. 

• Provide end-to-end technical leadership for large IT projects including development, testing, and deployment. 

• Support task plan development and execution through common architecture, tools, and technologies. 

• May lead or support TOs as needed. 

• Provide technical assistance to implementation teams. 

Governance and Compliance: 

• Ensure all IT systems meet federal requirements, including Section 508 compliance, green acquisitions policies, and cybersecurity standards (e.g., NIST and FIPS). 

• Oversee Earned Value Management (EVM) to track and report project performance in alignment with applicable standards. 

Innovation and Future Technology Evaluation: 

• Research and recommend emerging technologies, such as AI/ML, advanced satellite imaging tools, and cloud-based platforms, to enhance the EROS mission. 

• Develop prototypes and conduct trade studies to assess technology solutions' potential. 

• Introduce new technologies and innovations. 

• Primary interface to Innovation Council. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: 

• Collaborate with USGS stakeholders, interagency engineers, and other partners to develop interoperable solutions and drive joint technical initiatives. 

• Coordinate with federal agencies, vendors, and third-party contractors to ensure consistent architectural vision. 

• Facilitate communities of practice across disciplines. 

• Supports USGS EROS in enterprise architecture activities. 

Documentation and Training: 

• Create documentation and training related to applications and integrations. 

• Participate in detailed analysis to align requirements and equipment configurations with defined system specifications. 

• Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field required; Master’s degree desired. 

• BS degree in Information Technology or related field preferred. 

• PMP certification desired. 

• PMP and CSM licensed preferred. 

• Experience: 

• Minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience in related areas of work responsibility. 

• 12+ years of work experience in system architecture and Agile Management processes. 

• Proven experience with enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies (waterfall, agile). 

• Previous experience with federal contracts, particularly in the field of earth science or satellite operations, is a plus. 

• Expertise in cloud computing, data management, and enterprise network systems. 

• Knowledge of GIS, satellite systems, and remote sensing data processing. 

• Strong understanding of NIST cybersecurity frameworks and federal IT governance policies. 

• Experience with CMMI and RMF. 

• Experience with multiple Software Development Lifecycle frameworks including Waterfall and Agile. 

• Experience establishing legacy modernization and migration roadmaps for large-scale applications. 

• Skills: 

• Strong communication skills such as presentation, elicitation, workshop facilitation, critical reasoning, and complex issue delivery to a broad audience. 

• Excellent problem-solving and strategic planning skills. 

• Ability to communicate technical solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Experience in modeling and graphic representations. 

• Other: 

• Participation in regular status meetings and timely submission of reports as required by the contract. 

• Experience working in multidisciplinary environments, including interactions with government agencies such as NOAA, NASA, USGS, or the Department of the Interior. 

• Ability to travel occasionally to partner sites (e.g., NASA GSFC, Jet Propulsion Lab). 

• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card) and be able to pass a background investigation to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. 

• Desired Qualifications 

• Knowledge of environmental regulations, land management practices, or climate science. 

• Familiarity with machine learning models and artificial intelligence applications in geospatial sciences. 

• Experience working with federal agencies or large research organizations. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. 

• Possess the ability to fulfill any and all office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies. 

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds 

• May require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position 

• Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding) 

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• May work prolonged or irregular hours. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

• Exposure to general office conditions while conducting office duties. 

About Us: 

Edgewater Federal Solutions is a privately held government contracting firm located in Frederick, MD. The company was founded in 2002 with the vision of being highly recognized and admired for supporting customer missions through employee empowerment, exceptional services and timely delivery. Edgewater Federal Solutions is ISO 9001, 20000-1, 270001 certified, appraised at CMMI Level 3 Maturity for Development and Services, and has been named in the Top Workplaces in the Greater Washington Area Small Companies for 2018 through 2024.

It has been and continues to be the policy of Edgewater Federal Solutions to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, and/or other statuses protected by applicable law.