Solutions Architect, High Security Operations Mission IT - Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Are you passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve critical challenges in national security? Join Sandia National Laboratories' MIT services Department as a Lead IT Solutions Architect. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and architectural expertise to a team of embedded professionals working in a high-security environment. You will design, prototype, and implement innovative IT solutions that enable mission success while ensuring robust security and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the research, design, and implementation of IT architectures supporting mission-critical systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements and develop effective solutions.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance on system performance, integration, and lifecycle management.
• Develop strategic IT solutions that optimize cost, performance, and future scalability, including cloud-based architectures.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies balancing performance, cost, and schedule.
• Evaluate and test system functionality to ensure compliance with requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Facilitate cross-program collaboration to define system interfaces and integration points.
• Ensure IT solutions comply with cybersecurity frameworks and standards such as RMF, JSIG, and NIST SP 800 series.
• Lead implementation of Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to maintain system security posture.
• Stay current with industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies relevant to mission IT systems.
• Help implement and manage Public Clouds for High Security Operations.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related discipline, plus five or more years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Proven experience leading complex IT architecture design and integration efforts.
• Hands-on experience administering virtual environments using Hypervisors (e.g., VMware, Hyper V or AHV).
• Strong knowledge and practical experience with cybersecurity practices including Risk Management Framework (RMF), Joint Special Access Program Implementation Guide (JSIG), and NIST SP 800-53.
• Must have experience implementing Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
• Active DOE Q level security clearance (or DOD equivalent) and ability to obtain and maintain SCI clearance (polygraph may be required).

• Demonstrated expertise in cloud infrastructure configuration, administration, and maintenance, specifically with Azure or AWS.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Cloud Administrator certification (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator).
• Experience managing Nutanix systems and hyperconverged infrastructure.
• Proficiency with Print Server configuration and Group Policy Object (GPO) creation and implementation.
• Familiarity with HTML, IIS, PowerShell scripting, SQL databases, and TCP/IP networking.
• Experience working in government-sponsored air-gapped or highly secure environments.
• Experience with the Intelligence Community, and/or Special Access Programs
• 8140 Certification (e.g., SEC+, CISSP)

High Security Operations (HSO) performs high-impact, national security work for a broad segment of the Intelligence Community (IC) and other high level security customers. Mission IT is a specialized IT team dedicated to the delivery of innovative solutions to support Sandia mission-critical partnership with other government agencies (OGAs). We deliver tailored IT services and project expertise that align with unique needs and goals of special operations conducted at Sandia National Laboratories.

Our team's deep understanding of operations and regulations enables us to navigate complex solutions. We take great pride in our ability to conceive, construct, and execute technology solutions that make a substantial impact on enhancing national security initiatives.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.