Solutions Architect, Defense Unicorns
$148.8-201.3k
Software for national security systems
Open for applications
Software for national security systems
101-200 employees
Open for applications
$148.8-201.3k
101-200 employees
Company mission
To create software to solve the unique challenges experienced by the government.
Role
Who you are
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years of experience in systems engineering or solution architecture, ideally within the Department of Defense or defense industrial base
- Demonstrated experience with data center compute/storage/networking, virtualization (VMware or KVM), and Kubernetes-based software deployments
- Experience modernizing legacy applications or deploying legacy applications onto modern infrastructure
- Strong technical writing skills with experience producing formal documentation for government or acquisition programs
- Understanding of DoD cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., RMF, STIGs) and familiarity with the ATO process
- Experience integrating systems in contested, classified, or degraded operational environments
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI or eligibility preferred
What the job involves
- The Solution Architect supporting the Navy Domain plays a key role in advancing the modernization of afloat and ashore networks for the U.S. Navy. This individual is responsible for designing and documenting integrated hardware/software solutions, guiding prototype development, and translating mission needs into scalable, secure, and resilient systems that operate in tactical and enterprise environments
- With experience in data center infrastructure, software deployment pipelines, and defense IT environments, the ideal candidate will provide systems engineering rigor to ensure our solutions can transition from prototype to program of record at scale. This role requires strong technical writing, stakeholder engagement, and architectural foresight across complex Navy systems-of-systems
- Systems Architecture & Integration:
- Design and document integrated system architectures that combine data center hardware, virtualization layers, and modern containerized software
- Lead cross-functional collaboration between hardware vendors, software developers, delivery engineers, and cybersecurity teams
- Ensure architectures meet mission resilience needs, operate in disconnected or degraded environments, and comply with cybersecurity standards
- Prototype-to-Production Transition:
- Translate technical prototypes into scalable, sustainable configurations suitable for formal acquisition and fleet deployment
- Document system baselines, configuration details, and deployment patterns for sustainment and repeatability across operational units
- Identify gaps or risks in prototype architectures that could impede transition to scale or achieve ATO approval
- Systems Engineering & Requirements:
- Develop, document, and manage system requirements, interface definitions, and performance constraints across interconnected hardware and software systems
- Conduct or support technical reviews, interface control working groups, and configuration management processes with Navy stakeholders
- Technical Documentation & Writing:
- Create detailed technical documentation including:
- System Design Documents (SDD)
- Interface Control Documents (ICD)
- Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
- Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
- Technical Design Documentation (TDD)
- Installation Procedures
- Test Plans and Results
- Cybersecurity documentation (e.g., RMF artifacts, SSP inputs)
- Ensure documentation is structured to support Navy acquisition reviews, technical evaluation, and operational deployment
- Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment:
- Act as the technical face of delivery to Navy customers and mission partners—translating engineering decisions and trade-offs clearly and confidently
- Support test events, onboard installations, and technical exchanges with system integrators, field engineers, and program offices
- Prototype solutions are technically sound, thoroughly documented, and ready for scaling into Navy acquisition channels
- Systems integrate seamlessly across ashore, afloat, and cloud environments with clear operational guidance and supportability
- Technical documentation accelerates approval processes and builds stakeholder confidence in solution readiness
- Engineering and delivery teams are aligned around a clear, scalable system architecture that meets mission needs
- What We Work On:
- Kubernetes
- Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure)
- Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi)
- Continuous Delivery and automation tooling
- GitOps
- Containers
- CNCF projects and open source products and packages
- Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping
- Building and improving security delivery
- Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications
Our take
Military defence technology is having to adapt at a quickening pace. However, innovations in the tech sector, outdated technology, varied compute environments and complex security and compliance issues create lags in new defence technology. Defense Unicorns is an open-source tech developer aiming to minimise this lag.
Founded by former Department of Defense software engineers, Defense Unicorns uses AI and innovative software to create military technology for various uses and combat landscapes. The company is particularly focused on tech that can be used in “air-gapped” areas - those that are disconnected from the internet.
In terms of the company's future position in the market, it's notable that the US annual defence budget specifically for IT and cyber has increased to just under $59 billion in 2024. This funding growth exemplifies a rapidly changing combat landscape set against an unpredictable global backdrop, one in which Defense Unicorns has the chance to be an important player.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Feb 2024
$35m
SERIES A
Oct 2022
$0.5m
SEED
Total funding: $35.5m
Company benefits
- Medical/Dental/Vision (premiums are 100% company paid)
- Health reimbursement account
- Life insurance & disability insurance
- 401k with employer contribution (regardless of employee contribution)
- Company stock options
- Home office setup budget
- Unlimited paid time off, with a mandatory 10 days off on top of 11 federal government holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
- Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)
Company HQ
Southeast Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO
Leadership
Robert Slaughter
(Co-Founder & CEO)Works as a Trainer at Project Blue. Previously the Director of DoD Platform One, a Counselor at SpaceCAMP, and worked in DevOps for the US Airforce.
Andrew Greene
(Co-Founder & Engineer)Previously worked for DoD Platform One. Was also a Software Engineer at Omitron and at SGT.
Jeff McCoy
(Co-Founder)Previously Co-Founder and CTO at Platform One, Was also CTO at SpaceCAMP, Senior Software Engineer at Defense Innovation Unit, and Co-Founder at DDS Rogue Squadron.
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