SME Data Architect - USASOC CDAO

Overview
Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities.
By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones.
Kentro is hiring for a SME Data Architect to support a Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) data and analytics initiative leveraging the Palantir Foundry platform. The Data Architect will provide senior-level technical leadership in the design, development, integration, and governance of enterprise data architectures that enable advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and operational decision-making.
The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in enterprise data architecture and hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry, including data integration, data modeling, ontology development, data pipelines, and governance. This individual will work closely with government stakeholders, data engineers, software engineers, data scientists, and mission partners to translate complex operational requirements into scalable and secure data solutions.
Location: Onsite in Fayetteville, NC
This Job Description reflects the primary duties of the role; however, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. Team members may be asked to take on additional responsibilities in alignment with customer expectations, business needs, and Kentro's culture of collaboration and adaptability.
Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical authority and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for enterprise data architecture supporting CDAO mission objectives.
• Design and implement scalable, secure, and interoperable data architectures supporting analytics, AI/ML, and operational use cases.
• Develop and maintain enterprise data models, data flows, schemas, data products, and architectural standards.
• Design and implement data solutions within Palantir Foundry, including data pipelines, datasets, transformations, and Ontology-based data models.
• Develop and maintain Palantir Ontology structures that accurately represent mission-relevant entities, relationships, actions, and business processes.
• Integrate data from diverse structured and unstructured sources across enterprise, cloud, and operational environments.
• Define data ingestion, transformation, integration, storage, and distribution patterns.
• Evaluate existing data architectures and identify opportunities to improve scalability, performance, interoperability, data quality, and accessibility.
• Establish and enforce data architecture principles, standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Collaborate with data engineers and software developers to ensure architecture is translated effectively into production solutions.
• Partner with data scientists and AI/ML teams to ensure data architectures support model development, experimentation, deployment, and operationalization.
• Support development of data products that provide trusted, reusable, and discoverable data to mission users and applications.
• Develop strategies for data governance, lineage, metadata management, quality, security, and access control.
• Ensure data solutions align with DoD cybersecurity, security classification, data governance, and enterprise architecture requirements.
• Support integration of data across multiple organizations, mission systems, and security domains.
• Translate complex technical and mission requirements into practical architectural solutions and implementation plans.
• Produce architecture diagrams, technical documentation, interface specifications, data models, and other engineering artifacts.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to data engineers, developers, and other technical personnel.
• Brief technical solutions and recommendations to senior government and contractor leadership.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline is required
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in data architecture, enterprise architecture, data engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Technical Skills:
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures.
  • Strong hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry and its data architecture capabilities.
  • Experience developing or implementing Palantir Ontology and ontology-driven data solutions.
  • Strong understanding of data modeling, including conceptual, logical, and physical data models.
  • Experience designing data pipelines and integrating data from multiple heterogeneous sources.
  • Strong knowledge of modern data architecture patterns, including data lakes, data warehouses, data lakehouses, APIs, event-driven architectures, and distributed data systems.
  • Experience with cloud-based data platforms and architectures, preferably AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
  • Experience with SQL and one or more programming languages commonly used in data engineering, such as Python, Java, or Scala.
  • Experience with data governance, metadata, data lineage, data quality, and data security.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate mission and business requirements into technical architecture.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience working in Department of Defense, Federal Government, or other highly regulated environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting DoD CDAO programs or other DoD data/AI initiatives.
• Experience supporting Palantir Foundry deployments within DoD environments.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) data architectures.
• Experience developing data products and reusable data services.
• Experience with Palantir AIP (Artificial Intelligence Platform) and/or AI-enabled workflows.
• Experience with Kubernetes, containers, APIs, microservices, or distributed systems.
• Familiarity with DoD data standards, enterprise architecture frameworks, and interoperability requirements.
• Experience with classified or controlled-access environments.
• Experience working with data across multiple security classifications or enclaves.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture and data security principles.
• Experience with DevSecOps and CI/CD practices.
• Experience with data cataloging, metadata management, and enterprise data governance platforms.
• Palantir certifications or demonstrated advanced Palantir platform expertise.

Clearance Requirement:

• Active TS clearance required

Benefits
The Company
We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let's solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.
We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015), two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC) and CMMC Level 2 Certification.
Industry Recognition
Growth | Inc 5000's Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.
Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner - Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor's HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award
Benefits
We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more. We invest in our employees - Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development. Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.
We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities - virtual and in-person - e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.
Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA
Kentro is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.
As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.
We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
How to Apply
To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the job link and then click the blue "Apply" button at the top right of Job Description. Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must fully submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position. If you need alternative application methods, please email and request assistance.
Accommodations
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email .
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