ABOUT CDN
Creative Defense Network (CDN) works with the Department of War to enable acquisition transformation on the front lines. We work with acquisition executives and professionals to shape strategies and provide them with leading tools and training to succeed.
We’re focused on enabling the DoW to deliver better capabilities faster by applying novel approaches and working closely with industry and operators. We’re running one of the defense community's most widely read publications with over 16,000 subscribers. We’re a small startup have a big impact on transforming Department operations.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Principal Integration Architect, you will advise government programs on the design and integration of modular, interoperable defense capabilities across complex systems and multi-vendor environments. You will evaluate system architectures and vendor solutions, select key interfaces for systems, help create architecture decision frameworks, assess compliance with MOSA and relevant open standards, identify integration risks, and facilitate collaboration among government stakeholders, prime contractors, integrators, and industry consortium members.
You'll report directly to the executive team and work across CDN's full portfolio of client engagements and internal initiatives. This role will shape a strategic opportunity to transform the defense industry and acquiring defense tech solutions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Interoperability and Composability Advisory
→ Advise government offices on interoperability requirements across systems-of-systems.
→ Define and assess composability strategies, including modular open systems approaches.
→ Support rationalization of interface standards, data models, and integration patterns.
→ Evaluate vendor solutions for plug-and-play compatibility and integration risks.
Architecture Decision Support
→ Develop and maintain architecture decision frameworks and tooling that enable informed trade studies and detailed decision matrices.
→ Support requirements decomposition into technical architecture constraints.
→ Evaluate and incorporate solutions from innovative companies that support accelerated modeling / digital twinning of industry solutions.
Standards and Compliance
→ Interpret and apply relevant DoW and industry open standards including Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Government Reference Architecture (GRA) constructs.
→ Support conformance assessment and compliance verification processes.
→ Ensure traceability between contract requirements and technical standards.
Industry Engagement
→ Coordinate with primes, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure alignment with open architecture goals.
→ Facilitate technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and cross-industry collaboration.
→ Support governance models for shared architectures and reference implementations.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required
→ 5–10+ years of experience in systems engineering or architecture roles.
→ Demonstrated experience with interoperability standards, integration challenges, or application of open systems architectures.
→ Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related field
→ Familiarity with defense acquisition processes and systems engineering practices.
→ Deep understanding of MBSE tools and practices across multiple approaches (SysML, Cameo and CATIA).
→ Experience working in multi-stakeholder environments and have the technical and interpersonal skills to overcome resistance to architect a viable solution.
→ Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
→ Strong written and verbal communication skills. Able to brief senior executives and produce clear, concise analysis.
→ Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
→ Mission-driven and entrepreneurial. Comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-moving startup environment.
→ U.S. Citizenship.
Preferred
→ Deep knowledge of defense acquisition policies and practices.
→ Direct experience on a Major Defense Acquisition Program or other large acquisitions.
→ Involved with systems engineering reforms to improve the delivery speed of critical warfighting capabilities.
WHY CDN
CDN is remote-first, with most meetings in the Northern Virginia / DC area. Expect up to 10% travel for in-person engagements. You'll be joining a small team with a big footprint requiring close coordination with leadership, real ownership of your domain, and direct visibility into the full business.
This is a senior role with direct access to CDN leadership, a meaningful stake in how the company grows, and work that has real consequences for how the DoD acquires and delivers warfighting capabilities. If the appeal of being embedded in a large firm with layers of oversight and approvals has worn off, CDN is a different kind of organization.