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Information Technology Specialist (Development and Analysis) Senior Solutions Architect (GS-14)

Defense Contract Audit Agency

Irving, TX · $137k–$187k a year · Posted October 9, 2026

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Pay compared with the market

This listing pays about $161,915 a year. Across 49 open information technology specialist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $108,500 to $140,000 and the median is $122,500. That is 32% above the median, above the middle half of those listings.

Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.

Information Technology Specialist salaries by state · Check your own pay

About the job

Summary

Reemployed annuitant: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants.

Duties

Serves as Senior IT Specialist (Applications Software) and Senior Solution Architect, delivering enterprise architecture to design, modernize, integrate, and sustain secure software solutions in the DCAA enclave. Coordinates with cyber, privacy, data, records, 508, legal, and acquisition stakeholders to embed compliance requirements into solution delivery. Supports, but does not replace, determinations assigned to responsible officials. Provides authoritative technical guidance on application technologies, integration approaches, platform tooling, database services, and supporting technologies used to deliver enterprise solutions. Researches, pilots, and evaluates approved cloud, automation, and AI platforms; delivers implementation recommendations covering technical feasibility, security, privacy, accessibility, performance, and mission value. Designs and integrates secure, scalable enterprise applications using workflow/portfolio management platforms (such as ServiceNow), cloud native services, modern frameworks (such as C#/.NET, Node.js, Python, R), containers (Podman, Docker), and APIs.

Qualifications

All qualification and time-in-grade (if applicable) requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp Basic Requirement: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. For vacancies below the full-performance level of the position, the basic requirement will be evaluated on a developmental basis. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process. Attention to Detail- experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data and have been asked by others to review their work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. Customer Service- experience maintaining relationships with customers, assessing current information technology needs of customers, and developing or identifying information technology products and services that are tailored to meet customer needs. Oral Communication- briefing mid-level management and IT staff on the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of technical information to a non-technical audience. Problem Solving- identifying alternatives to address complex information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from a variety of sources that provide a number of potential solutions. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have one year specialized experience at the GS-13 or equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as: leading or performing enterprise software modernization, integration efforts; delivering software using modern programming languages, cloud-native, containerized, or comparable platforms; and collaborating with stakeholders to integrate applicable cybersecurity, privacy, or data-governance requirements into technical specifications and solution designs. communicating architectural decisions, technical trade-offs, and customer solutions to diverse audiences. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

How you will be evaluated

Your application will initially be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum eligibility and qualifications requirements. If you are qualified, you will then receive a numeric score based on the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities for the position listed below. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications, you will be assigned a rating commensurate with your background. Your final score will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates. Competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Information Management Interpersonal Skills Oral Communication Problem Solving Teamwork Technical Competence Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dcaa.belvoir.hq.mbx.ask-lmer@mail.mil

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Other information

DCAA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security and thrift savings; health, life and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. DCAA employees enjoy our business-casual dress code, flexible work schedules, and transit subsidies. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov). Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Background Investigation: All selectees will be subject to a personnel security investigation which must be favorably adjudicated for occupancy of a sensitive position and/or access to classified information. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be subject to a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). For a critical sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret level. For a special sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level AND you will be subject to a random counterintelligence scope polygraph. Drug Testing: If you are given access to classified information, you will be subject to random drug testing. If you are selected for a special sensitive position, you will be placed in a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to such a position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment. Additional Vacancies: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions within 120 days of the certificate issuance date. Performance Appraisal: If you are a current Federal employee, you must be rated fully successful or higher on your current performance rating to be eligible for promotion. You may be asked to provide a copy of your performance appraisal during the evaluation and selection process. Telework: This position may be eligible for situational telework. Telework approval will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency's telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA). Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.