CSfC Principal SME & Lead Systems Architect

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Job Description:

Serves as the principal subject matter expert and lead systems architect for Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) pathway assessments and secure systems engineering efforts. Provides technical leadership and strategic guidance on capability-package alignment, layered-encryption independence, component-selection strategy, system architecture, and preparation for government engagement.

Leads the decomposition of mission and security requirements into scalable, defensible architectures. Defines system boundaries, analyzes operational and technical dependencies, develops system and operational graphics, and allocates components across the solution architecture. Acts as the primary technical authority for CSfC-related architecture decisions, customer briefings, technical reviews, government-facing engagements in pursuit of CSfC certification and RMF-based accreditation.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Serve as the principal technical authority for CSfC pathway assessments and secure solution architecture.

• Advise program, engineering, cybersecurity, and customer stakeholders on: Capability-package alignment, Layered-encryption independence ,Component-selection strategy, Architecture alternatives and tradeoffs, Security boundaries and system dependencies and Government-engagement preparation.

• Lead the decomposition of mission, operational, functional, system, and cybersecurity requirements.

• Translate requirements into compliant, supportable, and operationally viable CSfC architectures.

• Define system boundaries, enclave boundaries, trust relationships, interfaces, data flows, and component responsibilities.

• Conduct architecture analyses to identify technical risks, integration challenges, capability gaps, and compliance considerations.

• Lead the allocation of commercial components and security functions within the overall system architecture.

• Develop operational views, system graphics, architecture diagrams, data-flow diagrams, interface views, and component-allocation models.

• Evaluate architectural independence between encryption layers and identify potential common-cause dependencies.

• Develop and maintain architecture narratives, technical baselines, decision briefs, and supporting design documentation.

• Prepare technical teams and stakeholders for government reviews, briefings, assessments, and engagement activities.

• Serve as the lead technical representative during customer meetings, architecture reviews, design discussions, and government engagements.

• Coordinate with systems engineers, cybersecurity professionals, product teams, compliance personnel, and program leadership to maintain architectural consistency.

• Provide senior-level recommendations regarding technical feasibility, implementation risk, operational impact, cost, schedule, and long-term maintainability.

• Mentor and guide technical staff in CSfC architecture, requirements analysis, systems engineering, and technical communication practices.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• 10+ years of related professional experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline; additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

• Extensive knowledge of CSfC concepts, capability packages, and secure commercial solution architectures.

• Deep understanding of layered encryption, cryptographic independence, network security, and secure systems engineering.

• Demonstrated experience leading requirements decomposition and architecture analysis for complex systems.

• Ability to define system boundaries and communicate technical architectures through clear written and graphical products.

• Experience evaluating commercial products and allocating components within secure, mission-focused architectures.

• Experience supporting government customers, technical reviews, authorization activities, or compliance-related engagements.

• Strong executive-level briefing, technical writing, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to operate as a senior technical advisor while also leading detailed architecture and systems-engineering activities.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Experience with Department of Defense, federal, intelligence-community, or other classified-environment mission systems.

• Familiarity with government cybersecurity policies, security control frameworks, certification and authorization processes and authorities (e.g. NIAP, FIPS, CSfC, RMF)

• Experience with systems engineering methodologies and architecture frameworks.

• Professional certifications in systems engineering, cybersecurity, cloud security, or enterprise architecture.

• Experience developing architecture products using modeling, diagramming, or technical visualization tools.

Security Clearance Requirement:

None

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range: $134,100.00 - $241,400.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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About Us

Parsons is a digitally enabled solutions provider focused on the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. With nearly 75 years of experience, Parsons is uniquely qualified to deliver cyber/converged security, technology-based intellectual property, and other innovative services to federal, regional, and local government agencies, as well as to private industrial customers worldwide.

Parsons is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/LGBTQ+.

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