Chief ISR Architect

Join Peraton's mission-critical team supporting secure, real-time ISR data delivery across complex operational environments in direct support of our nation's warfighters. If you are driven by national security and energized by cutting-edge C2ISR capabilities, sensor integration, and resilient data transport solutions, we invite you to join our team.

We are seeking a TS/SCI cleared Chief ISR Architect - SME based in the Tampa, Florida area. This is the senior-most technical leadership role on the program, responsible for defining the enterprise ISR architectural vision, chairing the Modernization and Innovation Cell (MIC), and driving continuous innovation and modernization of global C2ISR transport infrastructure in support of special operations forces.

Responsibilities:

As the Chief ISR Architect, you hold ultimate accountability for ISR architectural vision, policies, and strategic direction across the program. You work alongside the Program Manager and Director of Engineering to continually innovate and modernize ISR transport capabilities, collaborating directly with senior Government stakeholders, industry partners, research labs, OEMs, and ISR consumers.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Define and own the overarching ISR architectural vision, enterprise policies, and strategic direction across all program task areas; establish long-range goals that ensure ISR architectural excellence drives mission-critical objectives and quality across the global C2ISR transport infrastructure.
• Chair the Modernization and Innovation Cell (MIC); build and sustain the Innovation Consortium and Partner Network, bringing together ISR architects, corporate research labs, commercial innovators, FFRDC lab partners, OEMs, and ISR consumers to evaluate emerging technologies and accelerate delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter.
• Lead the MIC's full innovation lifecycle including quarterly reviews and continuous intake of proposals across commercial solutions, Government Lab-to-Warfighter initiatives, and ISR consumer insight programs; gather inputs from operational data, FSR lessons learned, market research, and vendor demonstrations; rank, prioritize, and develop recommendations for Government consideration.
• Apply a vendor-agnostic Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) approach to evaluate emerging ISR transport technologies including commercial space (PLEO/MEO), SDN, 5G/6G integration, intent-based networking, and cloud architectures; produce vetted, feasibility-analyzed recommendations that keep the enterprise ahead of hardware and software lifecycle compatibility challenges.
• Serve as the principal authority on complex ISR architectural challenges including sensor-to-shooter latency, data overload, cross-domain data fusion, and transport path resilience; develop advanced mitigation strategies and guide program leadership on critical architectural decisions affecting C2ISR capabilities.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and Director of Engineering to innovate and modernize ISR transport capabilities; interface with senior Government stakeholders across operations, intelligence, acquisition, and logistics functions on architectural policies, resource allocation, and technical standards.
• Conduct comprehensive ISR architectural reviews across the program; identify systemic risks and integration challenges across distributed sensor networks, transport layers, and data dissemination systems; integrate proactive, innovative solutions into overall program management and execution.
• Lead vendor-agnostic technology scouting activities; conduct commercial industry outreach, coordinate market research, and engage with industry partners to identify modernization opportunities aligned to validated mission requirements and operational priorities.
• Direct all ISR architectural initiatives and teams, holding ultimate responsibility for strategic planning, resource allocation, process methodologies, and ensuring all architectural efforts contribute to mission-critical objectives; interface downward to the MIC team and upward to the Program Manager and senior Government stakeholders.
• Support integration of future technologies such as PLEO/MEO multi-orbit transport and proactive network monitoring solutions into the enterprise architecture; ensure modernization proposals are aligned to mission objectives and introduced with controlled, low-risk insertion approaches.

Required:

• Previous experience as a Chief ISR Architect or equivalent enterprise-level technical authority supporting a DoD program at the CCMD level, with demonstrated work on C2ISR transport infrastructure, AISR sensor data systems, or SATCOM enterprise architecture.
• Minimum of 16 years' experience with a BS/BA degree, or 14 years' experience with an MS/MA, or 10 years' experience with a PhD; OR 20 years without a degree; OR 18 years with an AS/AA.
• A current, active DoD security clearance at the TS/SCI level.
• US citizenship is required.
• DoD 8140 compliance based on functional role for Work Role Code (WRC) 651 Enterprise Architect, Advanced Level; or ability to obtain within six months of assignment.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise ISR architectural activities for DoD, including technology modernization strategy and innovation program management at the CCMD or equivalent level.
• Deep subject matter expertise in AISR transport infrastructure including ground entry points, SATCOM gateways, data dissemination architectures, cross-domain solutions, and multi-orbit transport (GEO/MEO/LEO/PLEO).
• Proven ability to lead innovation programs and industry engagement activities including vendor-agnostic technology scouting, Analysis of Alternatives, and Lab-to-Warfighter technology transition.

Desired:

• DoD-approved IA baseline certification for ADP-III/IT-III based on the IAT level and CE/Operating System (OS) certificate; must be obtained within six months of assignment if not already held.
• Familiarity with C2ISR governance processes including Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), and Test Readiness Review (TRR) Charters.
• Experience with DoDAF-compliant architecture modeling and Digital Engineering Frameworks in a DoD program of record environment.
• Prior experience in a senior technical role supporting a SOF-aligned program in the Tampa, FL area.

Work Environment:

• Location: Tampa, FL area
• On-site expectations: Full-time on-site presence required.
• Travel: May require regular travel to CONUS and OCONUS sites to engage engineering teams, support gateway installations, and participate in operational readiness and technology demonstration events.

#C2ISR