Automation Architect -SME

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) program. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe and connected. We’re looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world’s most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission you’ll define it. Lead the work that keeps America flying safely.

Help shape the future of U.S. airspace safety and efficiency. We are seeking an Automation Architect -SME to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The ideal candidate will lead the design, implementation, and oversight of automation strategies supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

Work Location:

• This position is 100% on-site, located in Herndon, VA.
• Travel, as needed

In this position, you will:

• Perform end-to-end systems engineering across the full lifecycle: requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Drive the development of cloud concepts, architectures, trade studies, and system analyses to optimize performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure objectives are achieved and requirements are met.
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation, reports, and presentations to clearly communicate findings and recommendations.
• Contribute to trade studies and analyses
• Participate in system-level reviews and provide hands-on support for integration and testing activities.
• Analyze the current technical environment to identify and provide a solution for integration gaps, inconsistencies, risks, dependencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead technical working groups, integration meetings, design reviews, engineering teams, and stakeholder discussions.
• Present complex technical information and recommendations to engineering teams as well as senior/executive-level leadership.
• Communicate technical issues in a clear manner that allows both technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand impacts, options, and recommended courses of action.
• Support project planning, resource coordination, schedules, milestones, and execution of integration activities.
• Provide technical leadership to projects and teams, including coordinating activities across multiple organizations.
• Lead and contribute to trade studies and analyses.
• Ensure integration activities remain aligned with customer mission objectives, technical requirements, program priorities, and applicable FAA processes.
• Establish strong working relationships with customers, solution providers, internal engineering organizations, and program leadership.
• Participate in system-level reviews and provide hands-on support for integration and testing activities.

Why This Role Matters

Your work will directly impact national transportation safety and innovation—helping develop and refine systems used by millions of travelers and aviation professionals every day. You’ll collaborate with top engineers, analysts, and FAA stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet the highest performance standards.

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance
• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years experience or Masters degree and 10 years experience or Associate’s degree and 14 years years experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 16 years experience
• Systems Engineering experience supporting complex, integrated Cloud software systems.
• Hands-on experience integrating COTS products into government environments.
• Hands-on experience migrating message services
• Hands-on experience of federal cybersecurity requirements (NIST RMF, FedRAMP, Zero Trust) and integration.
• Hands-on experience with automated testing frameworks for performance, scalability, and security validation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trade studies, system analyses, and performance evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience executing full lifecycle systems engineering for cloud and non-cloud-based systems, including developing, analyzing, tracing, and managing technical requirements; defining system interfaces; developing and maintaining architecture and design documentation; and supporting system integration, verification, and validation (V&V).
• Proficiency in software languages (i.e., Java, Python, PowerShell, Bash)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NAS Automation Systems and strategies
• Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise automation initiatives for large-scale, mission-critical programs.
• Familiarity with National Airspace System (NAS) architecture, radar systems, surveillance technologies, or air traffic management systems.
• Knowledge of FAA modernization initiatives (e.g., NextGen).
• Experience using systems modeling tools such as MBSE, SysML, DOORS, Cameo, or similar requirements management platforms.
• Familiarity with safety-critical systems engineering and compliance-driven environments.
• Experience supporting system certification, readiness reviews, or operational deployment.
• Professional certifications such as INCOSE ASEP/CSEP, PMP, or related credentials.
• Degree in Systems Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience in cloud security engineering within a cloud environment
• AWS Certification (Solutions Architect, Security, Data Analytics, etc)

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