Early-Career Information Systems Architect - Technical Security Systems, 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.

The Technical Systems Security Department (9246) is seeking an Information Systems Architect to translate complex Technical Security Systems requirements into secure, high-performance hardware and software solutions. This role will lead end-to-end system design, integration, and testing, as well as feasibility studies, requirements gathering, and technology evaluations to enhance and modernize our Intrusion Detection and Access Control Systems.

Partnering closely with cross-functional teams, you will develop detailed specifications, assess technical alternatives, and recommend improvements that ensure scalability, reliability, and operational efficiency across the organization. You will also provide technical leadership and guidance to drive strategic initiatives and foster collaboration.

On any given day, you may be called to:

• Translate business needs into technical solutions and define solutions to business problems through reasoned application of information technology.
• Determine integrated hardware and software architecture solutions that meet performance, scalability, reliability, and security needs.
• Design, develop, and analyze overall architecture of internal systems, including hardware and software.
• Work with stakeholders and staff to conduct high-level investigations for strategy studies, requirements specifications, and feasibility studies, and communicate requirements to management.
• Coordinate design and integration of information systems, including subsystems such as networking, virtual machines, and traditional servers/workstations across all SNL sites.

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

$87,400 - $168,800

*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.

• Bachelors degree in Information Systems / Management Information Systems (MIS), Computer Science or Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Preferred Skills & Expertise:

• Masters degree in Info Systems, MIS, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Tech Management (IT/Enterprise Architecture track), or related fields like Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing.
• Research and recommend tech to improve systems, tackle emerging threats, and boost innovation.
• Develop/modify info systems by analyzing needs, documenting requirements, and updating configurations.
• Manage and maintain system architecture for peak performance.
• Troubleshoot system issues to minimize downtime and keep systems solid.
• Configure settings, run tests (unit, integration, acceptance), and ensure DOE compliance.
• Use industry tools to monitor, analyze, and fix system problems, maintaining efficiency and security,
• Document system architecture and procedures to support knowledge sharing and future upgrades.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Enterprise/Solution Architecture Frameworks: TOGAF, Zachman, FEAF, DoDAF,
• Cloud Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Architect,
• Security Certifications: CISSP, CISM, SABSA.
• IT Service & Governance: ITIL, COBIT.
• Agile & DevOps: SAFe Architect, Scrum (PSM/CSM).
• Systems Design & Integration: Systems engineering, data modeling, database management.
• Networking & VM Architecture: Network design, VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, KVM.
• Cybersecurity Basics: Secure architecture, threat modeling, risk management.
• Software Dev Life Cycle: DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, automation tools.
• Business/IT Alignment: Requirements analysis, project management, stakeholder communication.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Technical leadership, cross-team coordination, mentoring.

The Technical Security Systems (TSS) department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) provides a secure, robust, and sustainable electronic security system in support of Sandia's critical missions. The department is responsible for sustaining this security system at an acceptable level that meets Department of Energy (DOE) requirements. This is achieved by implementing high level standards and configuration control to the security systems followed by structured, preventive, and corrective maintenance processes. The TSS department interfaces and integrates with other departments within the Safeguards and Security Center which include Physical Security, Personnel Security, and the Protective Force. In addition to supporting the electronic security systems at SNL-NM, TSS provides program and technical support to several remote sites within the US.

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.

Sandia is required by DOE 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 obtain and 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.