Principal System Architect Jobs in Chantilly, VA
Principal System Architect jobs in Chantilly, Virginia concentrate in the Route 50 corridor, Westfields Corporate Center, and the innovation clusters near Dulles Town Center, where defense, intelligence, and federal IT contractors drive steady demand for senior architects. Employers hiring right now include VTG Defense, SAIC, and AT&T. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Clearance: An active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI Poly is required. Candidates who do not meet these clearance requirements will not be considered.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree and 5 years work experience, Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of work experience or equivalent; Associates Degree and 12 years of work experience or equivalent
- Thorough understanding and application of network security principles, practices, and implementations.
- Working knowledge of cross-functional integration of information systems into a physical security environment.
- Working knowledge of system functions, security policies, technical security safeguards, and operational security measures.
- Understanding of system methodologies including but not limited to client server, web hosting, web content servers, policy servers, directory servers, firewalls, WAN, LAN, switches, and routers.
- Familiarity with detecting and preventing computer security compromises in a networked environment.
- Working knowledge of configuration management; system maintenance; and integration testing.
- Proficient in the use of tools used to prevent and/or negate malicious code.
- Understanding of COTS tools that scan at the physical layer of all removable and fixed media types including but not limited to: (CDs, hard drives, thumb drives, Zip/Jazz, etc.).
- Ability to decipher and explain in clear language Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 503.
- Ability to support forensics and evidentiary preservation.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical configurations and make recommendations on the protection of classified and sensitive data.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical information and information technology jargon into plain English.
- Ability to apply a risk management philosophy when faced with security challenges and the ability to articulate the pro’s and con’s in a clear concise manner.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the following computer operating systems (e.g. Microsoft Windows, LINUX, UNIX, Mac OS, etc.).
- Analytical ability to decipher complex technical configuration management documents.
- Demonstrated proficiency with database maintenance.
- Strong ability to elicit, articulate, and document information in a well-organized manner.
- Demonstrated ability to work independent of close supervision.
- Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Working knowledge of all applicable IC, DoD policies, procedures and operating instructions related to Information Technology, Information Assurance, Information Management (IT/IA/IM).
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills to engender rapport with the military personnel, civilians, and other contractors at all levels.
- An ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines, and to manage the workflow of the ISSO team.
- Demonstrated ability to correlate audit results between various systems and/or users and notify the ISSM of any discrepancies.
- Expertise with configuration management; system maintenance; and integration testing.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical configurations and make recommendations on the protection of classified and sensitive data.
- Expert in the use of tools used to prevent and or negate malicious code.
- Expert in detecting and preventing computer security compromises in a networked environment.
- Expertise in forensics chain of custody and evidentiary preservation.
- Demonstrated proficiency in successfully guiding complex information systems through assessment and authorization control gates.
- Analytical abilities to decipher complex technical configuration management documents.
- Proficient in maintaining databases.
- Thorough working knowledge of all applicable IC, DoD policies, procedures and operating instructions related to Information Technology, Information Assurance, Information Management (IT/IA/IM).
- Demonstrated ability to work independent of close supervision.
- Expert ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships with government and contractor program managers, security professionals, and mission partners.
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000
See All 38 Principal System Architect Jobs in Chantilly
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Find JobsPrincipal System Architect Job Market in Chantilly
Who's Hiring
- VTG Defense4

- SAIC3

- AT&T2

- Noblis2

- Booz Allen Hamilton2

Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
Principal System Architect Jobs in Chantilly: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a principal system architect job in Chantilly?
The strongest path into a principal system architect role in Chantilly runs through the defense and intelligence contracting community that anchors Westfields Corporate Center and the Dulles corridor. Employers here prioritize candidates with active security clearances, enterprise system design experience, and familiarity with government IT architectures. Targeting prime contractors and their subcontractors in the federal IT and C4ISR space gives you the sharpest competitive edge locally.
Which companies hire principal system architects in Chantilly?
Chantilly principal system architect roles are posted by VTG Defense, SAIC, and AT&T and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The local employer base skews heavily toward large defense primes, federal IT integrators, and intelligence community contractors that maintain significant campuses along the Route 28 and Route 50 corridors.
Are there remote principal system architect jobs in Chantilly?
Yes, though with limits, since principal system architect roles tied to classified government programs in Chantilly frequently require on-site or cleared facility access. About 17% of principal system architect openings tied to Chantilly are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those flexible arrangements tend to apply to unclassified commercial and cloud architecture work rather than cleared defense or intelligence programs.
How can I get a principal system architect job in Chantilly with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chantilly is through a systems engineer or senior solutions architect role at one of the area's many mid-tier defense subcontractors, where smaller teams give junior architects exposure to full system design cycles early. Pursuing a Secret clearance before applying dramatically improves your odds locally. Entry-level positions within government IT modernization programs, particularly those aligned with intelligence community initiatives, regularly open doors to advancement into principal-level architecture work.
Which industries hire the most principal system architects in Chantilly?
Most principal system architect openings in Chantilly sit in Telecommunications and Consulting & Professional Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Chantilly's position inside the national security corridor, with close proximity to multiple intelligence agency campuses and major DOD programs, makes those sectors the dominant and persistent source of senior architecture demand in this market.
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