Data Architect (Cleared)

Overview 

We are seeking a Data Architect to support federal government trade, analytics, and mission transformation priorities by planning, designing, and guiding data architectures that enable advanced analytics, business intelligence, reporting, machine learning, and operational decision support across complex data environments. This role will support the development of integrated data structures, data models, database designs, and platform recommendations that help transform high-volume data into reliable, accessible, and actionable information for government stakeholders. 

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with enterprise data architecture, data modeling, database design, cloud-based data structures, business intelligence platforms, data acquisition, data governance, and secure analytical solution delivery. This role requires a technical leader who can evaluate current and future architecture needs, recommend appropriate hardware and software infrastructure, define data standards and structures, and work closely with data scientists, engineers, analysts, developers, UX/UI designers, and project managers to deliver scalable and mission-focused data capabilities. 

Location 

This role will primarily support work in the Washington, DC Metro area, with work expected at or near the client site in Ashburn, VA as required by the contract. Telework may be permitted only with prior government approval. 

Security Requirement 

Must be a U.S. Citizen with a recent DHS Public Trust, DoD Secret, or DoD Top Secret clearance, and must be able to obtain and maintain a CBP background investigation or other required government suitability determination. 

What You Will Do 

• Plan, design, analyze, and develop specifications for systems, databases, and data architectures that support end-user analysis, reporting, business intelligence, and advanced analytics 

• Evaluate and recommend computer systems architecture, data platforms, business intelligence tools, and supporting infrastructure to meet mission, operational, and analytical requirements 

• Develop and maintain an understanding of current architecture, future IT plans, enterprise standards, and emerging technology trends to recommend appropriate hardware and software infrastructure 

• Define physical and cloud-based data structures, data models, attributes, nomenclature, and database designs to satisfy stakeholder and analytical requirements 

• Support the design and implementation of integrated, shared software and database systems that enable data science, machine learning, reporting, visualization, and operational decision support 

• Develop strategies for data warehouse implementation, data acquisition, data access, data integration, data archiving, and data recovery 

• Build conceptual, logical, and physical data models and define the structure, attributes, relationships, and naming conventions for data elements 

• Evaluate new data sources for adherence to organizational quality standards, integration feasibility, and suitability for analytical use 

• Provide expertise in system architecture, system design, data architecture, database design, and systems management processes 

• Assist with recommendations for platforms, end-user business intelligence tools, design standards, quality assurance standards, and performance standards 

• Perform functional and data requirements analysis and translate requirements into scalable data architecture designs and implementation recommendations 

• Analyze customer requirements and provide solution recommendations that align with enterprise architecture, security, data governance, and analytical needs 

• Support development of organization-wide data architecture for integrated, shared software and database systems 

• Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, data analysts, application developers, UX/UI designers, project managers, and government stakeholders to deliver end-to-end analytical capabilities 

• Support quality assurance, performance review, troubleshooting, issue resolution, and continuous improvement of data architecture and analytical platform components 

• Create and maintain architecture documentation, data models, data dictionaries, standards, interface specifications, data flows, and technical design artifacts 

• Participate in Agile delivery activities, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, task estimation, demonstrations, technical reviews, and issue resolution 

What This Role Requires 

• U.S. Citizenship required due to federal contract requirements 

• Recent DHS Public Trust, DoD Secret, or DoD Top Secret clearance required 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a CBP background investigation or other required government suitability determination 

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in data architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline in applied data science research or big data analytics 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Architecture, Data Science, Analytics, or another related technical discipline
• Analyze business, functional, and data requirements and recommend solutions

• Cloud, data architecture, enterprise architecture, AWS, Azure, Databricks, Agile, or related technical certifications 

Professional Skills 

• Strong architecture and technical problem-solving skills with the ability to design practical, scalable, secure, and maintainable data solutions 

• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain data architecture concepts, technical tradeoffs, risks, standards, and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders 

• Detail-oriented with a focus on data quality, architecture consistency, standards, documentation, performance, security, and maintainability 

• Ability to translate stakeholder requirements and analytical needs into data structures, architecture designs, models, standards, and implementation recommendations 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in an Agile environment 

• Collaborative and proactive with the ability to work effectively with data engineers, data scientists, analysts, developers, project managers, security teams, and end users 

• Self-motivated with the ability to work under little or no supervision and provide expertise on complex architecture projects 

• Mission-focused with a commitment to delivering reliable, secure, and high-quality data architecture that improves government decision-making and operational outcomes

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.