Data Chief Architect

Core4ce is seeking a highly skilled Chief Architect to define and govern the overall technical solution architecture in support of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Data Governance program. The ideal candidate will serve as the technical authority, responsible for establishing architectural standards, canonical data and metadata models, and integration patterns aligned with program objectives. This role will guide architectural decisions across all phases of execution to ensure the solution is scalable, secure, and aligned with DHA enterprise data needs.

• Serve as the technical authority for the program’s architecture and design decisions.
• Define and govern the overall solution architecture, including:
  • Interim centralized repository architecture.
  • Canonical metadata models and standards.
  • Automation and harvesting approaches.
  • Federated metadata exchange design.
• Ensure architectural consistency and technical alignment across all SOO objectives.
• Guide design decisions related to:
  • APIs and integration patterns.
  • Security and access models (in coordination with ISSO Engineer).
  • Evidence, provenance, and auditability constructs.
• Lead and/or participate in architecture reviews, design working sessions, and technical decision logging.
• Support development of Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and future-state roadmaps.
• Collaborate closely with:
  • Program Manager and RTE on execution planning.
  • Integration / Software Engineers and Dev Sec Ops  Engineers on implementation feasibility.
  • Data Governance Analysts on standards and stewardship models.
• Provide technical guidance during milestone readiness reviews and Government engagements.

* This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise and solution architecture supporting Federal IT programs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
• Proven experience designing secure, scalable data architectures in regulated environments.
• Strong background in data architecture, metadata management, and data governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience defining:
  • Canonical data and metadata models.
  • Integration and interface standards.
  • Data quality and stewardship constructs.
• Familiarity with DoD security and RMF considerations, including secure system design and control inheritance.
• Experience working within Agile / SAFe delivery models while supporting milestone-driven execution.
• Familiarity with healthcare and clinical data standards and exchange frameworks, such as HL7, FHIR, OMOP, ICD-10, and related vocabularies.

• Active Secret clearance preferred.
• Prior experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
• Defense Health Agency (DHA) or health IT experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with enterprise data catalogs, metadata repositories, or governance platforms.
• Familiarity with fixed-price, milestone-based Federal contracts.
• Experience operating within ISO 9001 / ISO 20000 / ISO 27001 process environment.
• Experience designing federated or enterprise data ecosystems.
• Exposure to health data standards, analytics platforms, or enterprise reporting environments.
• Prior involvement in programs delivering data governance frameworks or operating models.

Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance war fighting outcomes.

We offer:

• 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, withimmediatevesting
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce
• Unlimited access totrainingand certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development
• Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses
• Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules
• Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing.

Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status.