Security Architect

About the role

The Security Architect SME will lead the development of security architecture guidance, standards, and reference diagrams for on-premise and cloud platforms and systems. This role supports the design of Zero Trust security architectures and their associated guidance, working in iterations to tighten least privilege access controls and automate Zero Trust controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop and align system security architectures with organizational cybersecurity guidelines, including defining security boundaries, documenting system categorization, and analyzing user needs and requirements.
• Develop focused guidance for specific security mechanisms such as encryption for data at rest.
• Assess and evaluate security postures, reviewing candidate architectures, identifying protection needs, and determining how new systems or interfaces impact enterprise security.
• Identify and document security and privacy requirements, including types of personal information, stakeholder interests, and data that require protection, ensuring proper allocation at both system and organizational levels.
• Support acquisition and procurement efforts by providing input on security requirements for statements of work, project costs, and translating proposed capabilities into technical specifications.
• Contribute to risk management and compliance, performing architecture reviews, identifying security gaps, supporting RMF activities, and maintaining documentation throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Provide high-quality technical, engineering, analytical, and planning support to meet the organization's requirements.
• Perform architectural review and analysis, developing strategic enterprise solutions that address the evolving business requirements and changing cybersecurity threat landscape.
• Develop and deliver reports (e.g., reference architectures, white papers, roadmaps, architecture risk analysis) to facilitate the following, including but not limited to:

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience designing security architectures by referencing NIST security controls, agency policy, and government-wide security requirements. This experience must include the design of on-premise and cloud security fabrics for all layers of the system (application down to CSP).
• 2+ years of experience designing Zero Trust Architectures to secure cloud and on-premise systems.
• Experience designing security architectures hosted in Microsoft Azure, using a combination of Azure-native services and COTS tooling.
• Experience assessing/reviewing security architectures, writing reports with detailed explanatory findings, and providing briefings on your findings.
• Developing security architecture guidance to include policy language, Standard Operating Procedures, and as-code hardening standards.
• Extensive knowledge of NIST 800-53rev5 and other NIST Special Publications.
• Current knowledge of government-wide security mandates and CISA Directives.
• Ability to define and document system security boundaries and categorize systems based on security and privacy requirements.
• Skilled in analyzing user needs to inform and guide secure architecture planning.
• Proven ability to assess and evaluate enterprise security postures and identify impacts from new systems or interfaces.
• Experience developing technical documentation, including written documents and diagrams.
• Experience developing presentation slide decks and presenting to technical and non-technical personnel.
• Experience identifying and documenting system and organizational security and privacy requirements, including personal data handling.
• Familiarity with identifying and protecting enterprise and system-level security data.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and translate functional needs into technical security requirements.
• Ability to support cost estimation and technical guidance related to secure system design and changes.
• Skilled in identifying gaps in security architecture and contributing to the development of security risk management plans.
• Proficiency in documenting and updating security architecture throughout the system development and acquisition lifecycle.

Skills

• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
• CompTIA Cloud Essentials
• Comptia Cloud+
• Comptia Security+
• EC-Council Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)
• EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON)
• GIAC Security Expert (GSE)
• ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• ISC2 CISSP Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)
• ISC2 CISSP Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP-ISSEP)
• ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Benefits

Valiant pays 99% of the Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage for Full-time Employees. Valiant contributes 25% towards Health Coverage for Family and Dependents. 100% Paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance Policy for Full-time Employees. 100% Paid Certifications. 401K Matching up to 4%. The salary for this role is expected to be in the $150,000 - $160,000 range. Benefits also include a wellness & fitness program, FSA programs for: Medical Costs, Dependent Care, Transit, and Parking, and referral bonuses.

Pay

The salary range for this position is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. It has been benchmarked in relation to the scope of the role, market rate, and internal equity. The salary for this role is expected to be in the $150,000 - $160,000 range.

Schedule

This position allows for 100% remote work. Remote work requires a high level of trust in our employees, and we strictly adhere to the details outlined in our Remote Work Policy below.