IT Architectural Engineering Specialist

Overview

We are seeking an experienced IT Architectural Engineering Services Specialist to design, develop, and implement advanced IT infrastructure architectures that support the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Military Health System (MHS) mission. This role involves translating functional and technical requirements into scalable, secure, and interoperable enterprise solutions, ensuring full alignment with DoD architectural standards and DHA enterprise frameworks.

The specialist will lead efforts to define and document technical architectures, validate system requirements, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders to ensure cohesive integration across enterprise environments.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Design & Development

• Develop architectural and technical designs for IT infrastructure systems and solutions that meet or exceed identified functional and technical requirements.
• Create guidance, strategies, and frameworks for building MHS/DHA system architectures.
• Conduct research and innovation in computer and information science to advance DHA s IT capabilities.
• Develop forward-looking solutions addressing challenges in hardware, software, and IT service delivery.

Requirements Management & Validation

• Validate that all technical requirements align with functional requirements captured in DHA Requirements Worksheets (RW) or through Governance processes.
• Manage and maintain technical requirement artifacts throughout the service design and engineering phases of the project life cycle.
• Receive and analyze RW packages; coordinate validation and initiate feasibility assessments.
• Identify and assign business analyst resources to support RW reviews and CRM assessments.
• Refine and manage evolving requirements throughout the project lifecycle in accordance with Project Management Plans.

Technical Architecture Implementation

• Perform Technical Architecture activities ensuring adherence to standard architectural and engineering practices.
• Promote interoperability across business practices, systems, and technologies.
• Ensure all engineering documentation is detailed and consistent with the DHA Enterprise Architecture (EA) framework.
• Support integration of architecture documentation into the broader DHA EA repository.

Governance & Coordination

• Participate in and provide technical input for Initial Request Analysis Meetings (iRAMs), Request Analysis Meetings (RAMs), and Customer Request Review Team (CRRT) sessions.
• Coordinate project funding, requirement clarification, and timeline validation activities.
• Facilitate the technical options selection process, engaging stakeholders, SMEs, and IA representatives.
• Identify and remediate architectural or procedural gaps in engineering and requirements processes.
• Leverage requirements gathered through governance and SME collaboration to produce detailed technical documentation that supports solution engineering efforts.

Design Review & Quality Assurance

• Review, assess, and provide input on all incoming architecture and configuration documentation from engineering teams.
• Verify that proposed designs and technical architectures align with established requirements.
• Recommend approval, modification, or disapproval of engineering deliverables and other SME documentation as appropriate.
• Ensure all solutions meet DHA/MHS functional, security, and performance standards.

Testing, Evaluation, and Acquisition Support

• Develop comprehensive Test and Evaluation Strategies (TES) that define technical, operational, and programmatic test criteria.
• Ensure all system requirements are measurable and testable.
• Provide technical input for acquisition and procurement activities as required by MHS/DHA.
• Support validation and verification processes through collaboration with test and QA teams.

DoD Architecture Framework & Integration

Design and deliver documentation and artifacts compliant with the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF).

• Integrate architectural and technical designs into existing production environments.
• Provide field-level re-architecting and re-engineering of products to meet the real-time operational needs of Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs).
• Ensure architectural updates support continuity, scalability, and mission assurance.

Collaboration & Innovation

• Collaborate with federal agencies, industry partners, and technical working groups on joint architectural, engineering, and remediation efforts.
• Promote innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies that enhance DHA s enterprise infrastructure.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that drive modernization, optimization, and standardization across DHA IT ecosystems.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience in enterprise IT architecture, systems engineering, or solution design within a DoD or large federal environment.
• Strong understanding of DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), ITIL, and systems engineering lifecycle processes.
• Expertise in infrastructure design, system integration, cloud architecture, and network interoperability.
• Proficiency in developing technical requirements, architecture documentation, and engineering artifacts.
• Experience supporting DHA, MHS, or other DoD IT programs preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills with the ability to coordinate across cross-functional teams.

Preferred Certifications

• DoD 8570/8140 Baseline Certifications such as:
• Security+ CE, CASP+, CISSP, or equivalent
• TOGAF, DoDAF, or Certified Solutions Architect (AWS/Azure) certification
• ITIL v4 Foundation or higher certification desirable

Education & Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in IT architectural design, systems engineering, or enterprise architecture within the DoD or federal sector.
• Clearance Required: Active Secret (or higher, as applicable)