Data Architect - Subject Matter Expert; SME - Northern, VA Area; TS​/SCI Cl

Data Architect - Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Bethesda, MD

Full-Time | On-site

Join Synertex LLC and bring your expertise to a mission that matters. We're looking for a Data Architect SME with a background in developing data governance models, ensuring consistency in data standards and system interoperability to support critical government and intelligence initiatives. If you're passionate about data architecture and governance and thrive in an independent, mission‑driven environment - this opportunity is for you.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader in technical area, specializing in Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and associated platforms and tools.
• Perform complex systems architecture and engineering to define, architect, design, engineer, and implement enterprise‑wide IT systems and solutions across the technology stack, focusing on federal government multi‑cloud initiatives and AI integration.
• Develop design concepts that are consistent with the Enterprise Architecture guidance, federal standards, security compliance (e.g., FedRAMP, NIST 800‑53 Rev 5, FISMA, CNSSI), and industry best practices to address new requirements, ensure regulatory compliance, accommodate changes in the technical environment, and/or enhance performance.
• Provide technical expertise in creating, updating, maintaining, and visualizing architecture data, including multi‑cloud environments, AI/ML model life cycles, and enterprise data management.
• Serve as a technical liaison with regard to system architecture focusing on performance, efficiency, availability, redundancy, data protection, information security, cloud interoperability, and AI/ML integration.
• Collaborate with federal government customers to evaluate mission drivers, identify challenges, define mitigation strategies, assess applications, develop transition plans, and craft business cases supporting multi‑cloud, AI adoption, and other enterprise IT initiatives.
• Assess emerging technologies, including AI tools, cloud‑native tools, and data science tools that can be used for transforming the organization's infrastructure/processes and aligning with cloud adoption and future initiatives.
• Analyze, convey, and lead architectural progress toward goals and objectives, including the organization's multi‑cloud and AI/ML strategy, to optimize operations, improve efficiencies, and drive innovation in alignment with federal government priorities.
• Support the formulation, documentation, and continuous improvement of an Enterprise IT Architecture roadmap for federal agencies, ensuring alignment with mission‑critical goals, federal IT mandates, and scalable infrastructure requirements.
• Develop technical white papers, briefings, and recommendations for executive leadership in the federal government, providing actionable insights for decision‑making regarding multi‑cloud, AI, data governance, and enterprise IT strategies.
• Facilitate the evaluation and implementation of enterprise‑wide platforms and services, including multi‑cloud platforms, AIOps tech stack, containerization/orchestration solutions, and Dev Sec Ops  pipelines, ensuring alignment with CIO office priorities and directives.
• Conduct risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and security audits to ensure compliance with federal information security standards and guidelines, safeguarding sensitive data and mission‑critical systems.
• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams during the development, testing, and deployment of innovative enterprise IT solutions, promoting collaboration between stakeholders, developers, and solution architects.
• Advise the federal government CIO office on strategies related to AI operationalization, multi‑cloud operations & cost optimization, technology refresh cycles, and emerging technology integration to advance mission success.

• TS/SCI clearance required (includes additional security screenings)
• Level Requirements

Full Performance / Journeyman Level

• High School Diploma/GED with 8 years of relevant experience, OR
• Associate's Degree with 6 years of relevant experience, OR
• Bachelor's Degree with 4 years of relevant experience, OR
• Master's…