Leidos is looking for a Database Architect to provide leadership on a mission-critical program supporting assigned division within Passenger Systems Program Directorate (PSPD) in Customs and Border Protection (CBP). PSPD supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP critical missions, specifically screening and processing travelers at the ports of entry (POEs) into the United States.
The Database Architect plays a key role in Enterprise Architecture team with primary focus on the assigned portfolio. He/She will work closely with Chief Engineer and Chief Architect on the program and assist in development of system engineering documentation for the portfolio applications, such as System requirements, capabilities, and interface control documents, using Confluence and other collaboration and architecture tools.
**This position REQUIRES the candidate to be in Ashburn, VA, twice a week**
Primary Responsibilities
The Database Architect is responsible for the architectural design and development of various portfolio databases for multiple applications.
Defines system solutions based on user/client needs, cost, and required integration with existing applications, systems, or platforms.
Works with Architecture team and assists in development of policies for standardizing systems, development tools and security practices.
Coordinates with application architects to valuate and recommend new technologies, infrastructure options, and methodologies to enhance DB systems and to foster innovation.
Design, model, document, and guide the logical and conceptual relationship of data and database changes for complex applications.
Identifies requirements, researches options, designs and implements solutions at a leadership level for the program application teams.
Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk assessments.
Must be a self-starter, strong leader, and have the ability to work independently with little supervision.
Basic Qualifications
8+ Years of experience in database design and modeling with a strong understanding of data modeling principles (relational, dimensional, NoSQL) and ability to design efficient, scalable, and secure database architectures.
5 - 7 years’ experience of proficient administration, maintenance, and optimization of a variety of DBMS, including PostgreSQL, Oracle, and various NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).
Designing and implementing data warehouses, data lakes, and robust ETL/ELT pipelines using tools like dbt and Airflow.
Implementing data governance frameworks, including Master Data Management (MDM) to create a single source of truth and ensuring data quality, consistency, and security.
Data Security and Compliance: Implementing robust security measures, audit, access controls, and adherence to compliance regulations.
Performance Tuning and Optimization: Identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in database systems, including utilizing techniques like partitioning and indexing in systems like Delta Lake on Databricks.
Cloud Platform Expertise: Experience designing and implementing data solutions on at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
ETL: Designs and implements the data extraction, data load, and database synchronization routines and functions.
Resiliency: Designs and implements viable database backup, recovery, and high availability strategies and mechanisms.
Observability: Monitors and optimizes database instance using database administration tools, SQL scripts, and database utilities.
US Citizen.
Must be able to maintain and obtain a CBP Background Investigation prior to start
BS/BA degree with a minimum of 12+ years of relevant experience or 10+ years of relevant experience with Masters Degree; OR 4 years of directly related experience in lieu of degree
Preferred Qualifications
Conversion: Experience in decoupling logic from DB's, and/or decomposition of PL/SQL or PG/SQL stored procedures and triggers into requirements for code.
Databricks and Delta Lake: Architecting and implementing data solutions on Databricks, leveraging the features of Delta Lake for data lakes and ensuring data reliability and quality.
NoSQL Databases: Experience with various NoSQL database types (document, key-value, graph, etc.) and understanding their use cases (e.g., MongoDB for flexible schema and Cassandra for high write throughput).
OpenMetadata: Familiarity with OpenMetadata for data cataloging, discovery, lineage, and data governance.
Programming Languages: Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data architecture, such as Python, Scala, Java, or SQL.
Big Data Technologies: Experience with big data frameworks like Apache Spark, Hadoop, and Kafka.
At least one nationally recognized database vendor certification.
Active CBP BI.
CBP experience.
Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.
We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”
Original Posting:July 28, 2025For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:Pay Range $126,100.00 - $227,950.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.