Chief Engineer / Technical Director

This role owns solution integrity and engineering governance across enterprise architecture, systems engineering, network and cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and mission applications, ensuring secure, reliable delivery of services within the Joint Virtual Environment (JVE). The position requires executive-level advisory capability, leading cross-functional engineering teams, directing design reviews, and translating enterprise strategy into executable technical roadmaps aligned to DoDAF and program priorities.

Description:

Quantum Sky is searching for a Chief Engineer / Technical Director that serves as the technical authority for a large, multi-site Department of Defense IT and Cybersecurity program in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO). This role owns solution integrity and engineering governance across enterprise architecture, systems engineering, network and cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and mission applications, ensuring secure, reliable delivery of services within the Joint Virtual Environment (JVE).

 

The position requires executive-level advisory capability, leading cross-functional engineering teams, directing design reviews, and translating enterprise strategy into executable technical roadmaps aligned to DoDAF and program priorities. Onsite presence in Arlington, VA is required; travel may be necessary to support CONUS/OCONUS sites. 

 

Responsibilities:

• Own the technical baseline, architecture standards, and exception decisions; chair design reviews and Technical Review Boards to maintain solution integrity. 
• Lead enterprise architecture development and maintenance, delivering “as-is” and “to-be” artifacts, roadmaps, and accurate network diagrams in compliance with DoDAF and TOGAF practices. 
• Direct systems engineering lifecycle activities including requirements traceability, interface management, configuration control, risk management, test planning, verification, and validation. 
• Integrate cybersecurity into engineering decisions, aligning with RMF/JSIG; ensure continuous monitoring with ACAS, STIGs, and ESS; govern POA&M management within eMASS. 
• Oversee NOSC-aligned operations engineering for confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical/less-critical services; drive automation for detection and response. 
• Establish engineering metrics, SLAs/SLOs, KPIs and operational dashboards; analyze trends and lead corrective actions and continual service improvement (CSI). 
• Guide infrastructure modernization (hybrid cloud, zero trust, observability, automation), application modernization and data migration/repatriation initiatives. 
• Advise senior executives; convert complex technical concepts into actionable plans and investment priorities; communicate risks, trade-offs, and decisions transparently. 
• Ensure accurate configuration baselines and remediation of configuration drift; embed change management and knowledge management throughout the lifecycle. 
• Support place-of-performance needs across Arlington, VA and distributed Tier 1–3 sites; enable readiness for special projects and emerging capability requests.

Performance Metrics & Success Criteria:

• Service Availability: Critical services 95% monthly uptime; less-critical services 90% during operational hours (excluding external outages). 
• Continuous Monitoring: ACAS scan rate 98% monthly; ESS 95% in all measured areas at least 90% of the time; STIG reviews conducted quarterly. 
• Risk Governance: POA&M updates weekly with quarterly artifact uploads in eMASS; Security Dashboard updated weekly meeting 75% update compliance (monthly measure). 
• Quality & Satisfaction: Accurate, complete, on-time deliverables; rapid corrective actions; open communications across COR/TPOC governance. 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Education: MA/MS; substitution allowed with BA/BS and 12+ years of relevant experience. 
• Certifications: Cisco CCNP or equivalent (CompTIA Network+) 
• Experience: 10+ years leading enterprise architecture, systems engineering, or technical integration for complex enterprise IT environments. 
• Demonstrated prior experience owning the technical baseline, establishing architecture standards, and making exception decisions; must have previously chaired design reviews and Technical Review Boards to ensure solution integrity. 
• Proven track record leading enterprise architecture development and maintenance, including delivery of “as-is” and “to-be” artifacts, roadmaps, and accurate network diagrams in compliance with DoDAF and TOGAF practices. 
• Previous experience directing systems engineering lifecycle activities such as requirements traceability, interface management, configuration control, risk management, test planning, verification, and validation. 
• Prior involvement integrating cybersecurity into engineering decisions, aligning with RMF/JSIG; must have overseen continuous monitoring with ACAS, STIGs, and ESS, and governed POA&M management within eMASS. 
• Experience overseeing NOSC-aligned operations engineering for confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical/less-critical services; must have driven automation for detection and response. 
• Established record of setting engineering metrics, SLAs/SLOs, KPIs and operational dashboards; must have analyzed trends and led corrective actions and continual service improvement (CSI). 

Desired:

• Modernization: Hybrid cloud, zero trust, enterprise networks, automation, observability, and legacy system modernization.  Previous experience with TOGAF and DOD Architecture Framework.
• CCIE, CISSP, INCOSE Certification
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA‑C03) or AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP‑C02) 
• Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification 
• ITSM/CSI: Metrics-driven service improvement, CAB/TRB governance, and platform experience (Helix preferred). 

Clearance:

• Top Secret at time of submission (SCI eligibility may be required).

Location:

• Arlington, VA; onsite presence required with willingness to travel to CONUS/OCONUS sites as needed (estimated 25%). 

About Tyto Athene:

Compensation:

• Compensation is unique to each candidate and relative to the skills and experience they bring to the position. The salary range for this position is typically between 200-240K. This does not guarantee a specific salary as compensation is based upon multiple factors such as education, experience, certifications, and other requirements, and may fall outside of the above-stated range.

Benefits:

is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, [sexual orientation, gender identity,] national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any characteristic protected by applicable law.