Application architect, IT​/Tech, Cloud Computing: Infrastructure & Operations

Koniag Emerging Technologies, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an Application Architect with a Secret security clearance to support KET and our government customer in Washington, DC.

We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.

As an Application Architect, you will help define and drive enterprise application architecture strategy across a complex portfolio of systems, teams, and modernization initiatives. You will operate at the intersection of architecture, engineering, security, and delivery, ensuring applications are scalable, maintainable, secure, and aligned with enterprise standards and mission outcomes. You will guide modernization efforts, enforce architectural governance, and coordinate across multiple vendors, technical teams, and stakeholders.

This role requires someone who can balance long-term architectural vision with practical execution, particularly in environments transitioning from legacy systems to open-source, cloud-native platforms.

• Design and oversee enterprise application architectures that align with Department of State IT strategy, security requirements, and interoperability standards.
• Develop technical roadmaps and reference architectures for new applications, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and compliance with federal and Department IT policies.
• Lead architectural reviews, establish standards, and enforce best practices and design patterns across development teams to ensure consistency, quality, and reduced technical debt.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), and program managers to translate mission requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Enable Dev Sec Ops  practices through architecture that supports CI/CD automation, security validation, and infrastructure-as-code.
• Ensure architecture aligns with federal security and compliance requirements, including NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, Zero Trust, MFA, secure SDLC, and Authority to Operate (ATO) support processes.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies, cloud platforms, and integration patterns to modernize Department applications and support digital transformation initiatives.
• Conduct system integration analysis to ensure new applications interoperate effectively with existing Department systems (e.g., data exchanges, APIs, identity management).
• Guide the modernization of legacy, on-premises systems into modern, cloud-enabled applications.
• Mentor developers and engineers on architectural principles, coding standards, and secure SDLC practices.
• Produce and maintain architectural documentation, including interface diagrams, system diagrams, data flow models, and technical specifications, to support governance and audit requirements.
• Actively troubleshoot and resolve complex application and data issues, working hands-on with development and operations teams to diagnose root causes and implement effective fixes.
• Maintain a deep understanding of multiple technology stacks across UX, middle-tier, and database platforms.
• Maintain working knowledge of multiple software development methodologies, understanding the benefits and trade-offs of each.
• Engage in hands-on development, including writing scripts, steering and reviewing AI-generated code, building proofs of concept, and unblocking teams as needed.
• Treat AI as a core part of the engineering toolkit, incorporating coding assistants and agentic tooling into everyday workflows and promoting adoption across teams.

• US Citizenship with a Secret clearance or higher.
• 15+ years of…