Enterprise Architect

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter . Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.!

The Space Systems Group (SSG), part of SPA 's Space and Intelligence Division, provides timely and objective assessments and recommendations integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis. We focus on our key clients in the Space community including the US Space Force's Space Systems Command (USSF/SSC), one of the three designated Field Commands under USSF. We work tirelessly to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command. We provide clear and consistent analysis and recommendations which are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while balancing the ability to execute on time and on budget within the technical communities. Come join an organization responsible for being a key enabler of Spacepower!

SPA has an immediate need for a Enterprise Architect/Deputy Chief Engineer.

Responsibilities

The Enterprise Architect/Deputy Chief Engineer is responsible for the execution, coordination, and operational effectiveness of the Systems Engineering Division. Supporting the Chief Engineer, this role ensures the platform's technical vision is translated into actionable plans, executed with discipline, and delivered on time.

While remaining technically grounded, the Deputy Chief Engineer focuses on organizing, integrating, and driving execution across all systems engineering functions, including Platform Architecture, Platform Test, Cybersecurity, Account Management Services, and Configuration & Data Management. This role ensures that priorities are clear, work is aligned, and teams are operating efficiently to meet mission and program objectives.

The Deputy Chief Engineer leads the day-to-day management of the division, holding teams accountable to standards, timelines, and outcomes. This role is essential to maintaining engineering rigor, ensuring obligations are met, and enabling the Chief Engineer to focus on technical direction and stakeholder engagement.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Systems Engineering Division workforce, overseeing personnel, workload distribution, and execution across all branches
• Translate the Chief Engineer's architectural vision and technical priorities into executable plans, schedules, and tasking across the division
• Establish and enforce execution discipline, ensuring all engineering activities are tracked, aligned, and completed on time and to standard
• Manage division-wide backlog, priorities, and tasking, ensuring resources are focused on the highest-value efforts aligned to program needs
• Drive accountability across teams, ensuring commitments are met and performance expectations are upheld
• Oversee quality control of engineering outputs, including documentation, trade studies, test artifacts, and configuration management deliverables
• Optimize workflows, processes, and coordination across branches to improve efficiency, reduce friction, and enhance overall team performance
• Ensure all systems engineering rigor is consistently applied, including requirements traceability, verification and validation, and configuration control
• Manage administrative and operational aspects of the division, including tooling, licenses, access, integration support, and external dependencies
• Coordinate cross-functional integration with Platform Operations and other stakeholders to ensure engineering efforts are executable and aligned
• Maintain visibility into division performance, risks, and progress, providing clear status and actionable insights to the Chief Engineer and Platform PM
• Foster team development, engagement, and growth, maximizing the effectiveness and potential of all personnel within the division

Expected Outcomes

• Systems Engineering operates as a disciplined, high-functioning organization, consistently delivering on commitments and priorities
• Engineering work is well-organized, tracked, and executed, with minimal ambiguity, missed deadlines, or uncoordinated effort
• The Chief Engineer's vision is effectively translated into action, with clear alignment between strategy and execution
• Engineering outputs are high quality, complete, and compliant with standards, requiring minimal rework or correction
• Backlogs and priorities are actively managed and aligned to mission needs, ensuring focus on the highest-value activities
• Workflows and processes are efficient and continuously improving, reducing overhead while maintaining rigor
• Administrative and integration requirements are proactively managed, preventing delays or disruptions to engineering execution
• The division demonstrates strong accountability and ownership, with teams consistently meeting expectations and delivering results
• Cross-functional coordination enables seamless integration between engineering, operations, and stakeholders
• The Systems Engineering Division scales effectively, maximizing team performance without loss of quality or control

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited institution
• 10 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing multi‑disciplinary systems engineering teams, including workload planning, execution oversight, and performance accountability
• Proven ability to translate technical direction or architectural vision into structured plans, schedules, tasking, and measurable execution outcomes
• Hands‑on background applying systems engineering rigor, including requirements management, verification and validation, configuration control, and quality assurance of engineering artifacts
• Experience optimizing engineering workflows and cross‑team coordination, ensuring alignment, timely delivery, and efficient integration with operations and stakeholder organizations
• Established track record managing engineering backlogs, risks, dependencies, and administrative enablers (tooling, licenses, access), ensuring uninterrupted engineering execution