Chief Architect and PLM Strategist - AF-PLM

Position Summary:The Chief Architect and PLM Strategist for AF-PLM will serve as the technical and strategic leader responsible for designing, aligning, and delivering the architectural vision of the U.S. Air Force Product Lifecycle Management (AF-PLM) enterprise. This role bridges strategy, technology, and mission outcomes, guiding the transformation of lifecycle data and digital thread integration across platforms, programs, and functional domains. The Chief Architect will ensure alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) digital engineering and data-centric acquisition priorities while fostering agile, scalable, and interoperable PLM solutions across Air Force acquisition, sustainment, and operational communities.

Key Responsibilities:* Enterprise Architecture Leadership: Develop and maintain the AF-PLM enterprise architecture and ensure alignment with the Air Force Data Strategy.

• PLM Strategy Development: Define and drive a comprehensive PLM strategy that enables digital thread, authoritative source of truth (ASOT), and full lifecycle data management across Air Force systems and platforms.
  
• System Integration & Interoperability: Oversee integration strategies that link PLM solutions with enterprise systems and ensure compliance with DoD open system architecture principles.
  
• Mission Alignment: Translate operational and acquisition needs into PLM system capabilities that support readiness, cost reduction, and modernization objectives. Align PLM roadmap with Air Force priorities and AFMC/SAF/AQ initiatives.
  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the principal advisor to senior stakeholders across SAF/AQ, AFLCMC, AFNWC, AFSC, and industry partners. Lead cross-functional collaboration across engineering, acquisition, and sustainment communities.
  
• Innovation & Thought Leadership: Evaluate emerging technologies such as AI/ML, semantic data models, and digital twin frameworks for future incorporation into the PLM ecosystem. Represent AF-PLM at industry, academic, and DoD forums.
  

Required Qualifications:* Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with similar experience in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.

• 15+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, PLM implementation, and digital engineering in a defense context.
  
• Deep knowledge of DoD acquisition frameworks, MBSE, and Siemens Teamcenter PLM.
  
• Proven experience with enterprise-level digital thread and data governance initiatives.
  
• Familiarity with Air Force mission systems and lifecycle sustainment environments.
  

Preferred Qualifications:* Institute of Configuration Management CMII certification or similar.

• Siemens Teamcenter Professional Certification.
  
• Program/Project Management or Agilist Certification.
  
• Experience with AF-PLM or major USAF/DoD/OEM transformation efforts.
  
• Prior experience supporting AFLCMC, AFNWC, or similar USAF centers preferred.
  

Work Location:Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton, OH) or Hill AFV (Ogden, UT) with travel to stakeholder sites as required.

Clearance Requirement:Must be eligible for and maintain a DoD Secret clearance or higher.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
  
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
  
• Ethics: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
  
• Strategic Thinking: Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
  
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritize and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
  
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
  
• Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
  
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, proposals, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and general public.
  
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
  
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to question activities and issues in all functional areas and make sound business decisions based on that data.
  
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, type or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
  
• Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment.
  

Salary and Benefits

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The range for this position is between $XXXXX and $XXXXX. Actual salary will be negotiated with this position’s Hiring Manager and can vary depending on the following factors: Billable contract and labor category, experience, skills, education /certifications/ licenses & geographic location.

Sabel Systems is committed to offering all employees a competitive benefits and compensation package that is comprehensive enough to meet their goals and needs. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and one of Sabel Systems largest financial investments is our benefits program. As a valued member of the organization, employees are provided with a host of benefits to include healthcare; financial assistance in the event of illness, injury, disability, loss of work, or death; health savings accounts; retirement plans; paid time off; paid holidays; education and training program reimbursement, to name a few.

EEO Statement

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Sabel Systems is an equal opportunity employer. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business need. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind across all employment practices within our organization. Sabel Systems participates in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.