Senior Systems Architect

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Senior Systems Architect to join our rapidly growing and innovative cybersecurity team. This role owns the operational, technical, and informational architecture for the client's cybersecurity systems within the Cybersecurity Services Division. The architect translates strategic business and technical requirements into secure, scalable, cloud-native solutions aligned with enterprise standards, Zero Trust principles, and Executive Order 14028.

About the role

The Senior Systems Architect produces Engineering Design Documents, blueprints, and control mappings that govern how cybersecurity capabilities—including SIEM, SOAR, CDM, TDSP, EDR, AWS GovCloud services, and identity platforms—integrate across the client environment. Named one of the Best Places to Work in the Washington DC area for 12 consecutive years, Valiant is proud of our employee-centric culture and commitment to excellence.

Location: 100% telework. Remote work requires adherence to Valiant’s Remote Work Policy and a high level of trust in employees.

U.S. Citizenship is required due to federal contract obligations, and applicants must successfully pass a federal background investigation to obtain and maintain a Non-Sensitive / High Risk (Public Trust) security clearance, Tier 4/6c.

Responsibilities

• Own the operational, technical, and informational architectures supporting client's cybersecurity systems and services.
• Discern customer requirements, validate architecture models, and confirm technical requirements and quality attributes before designs move forward.
• Develop and explain IT solutions grounded in client's strategic business and technical requirements, defining structuring approaches for applications and technology use.
• Design and validate enterprise security architectures aligned with Zero Trust principles and NIST SP 800-207, including identity-centric access control, micro-segmentation, continuous monitoring, and least-privilege enforcement.
• Lead development of Engineering Design Documents (EDDs), architecture blueprints, control implementation matrices, current/target state diagrams, data flow diagrams, and security zone definitions.
• Design, integrate, and govern enterprise cloud architecture solutions on AWS GovCloud, focusing on EKS, ECS, and containerized environments.
• Design and maintain security controls supporting CI/CD and DevOps infrastructure, integrating with client's DevSecOps pipelines.
• Direct integration of SIEM, SOAR, CDM, TDSP, EDR, AWS cloud-native services, and identity platforms across the client cybersecurity tool portfolio.
• Manage IT applications projects, including design, development, and implementation of architecture components, and oversee solution roadmaps from vision through execution.
• Develop and communicate architectural proposals, including comparative analyses, implementation roadmaps, cost, risk, and operational impact.
• Develop and coordinate IT strategy, overseeing implementation of integrated systems and modernization of legacy solutions per lifecycle management strategy.
• Collaborate with business owners, analysts, engineers, development teams, and infrastructure services to define and communicate application and data architecture standards, policies, and directions.
• Design, validate, and implement scalable system infrastructure, evaluating complex systems for performance and efficiency improvements.
• Maintain and evaluate current equipment, recommending modernization, cloud migration, and secure system design approaches.
• Manage cloud design efforts, ensuring designs address organizational goals, security requirements, and FedRAMP-approved cloud package use.
• Participate in architecture governance boards, technical working groups, the Engineering Review Board, and the Change Control Board, providing briefings and technical input to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Twelve or more years of experience supporting cybersecurity information technology.
• Three or more years of experience supporting cloud-based solutions.
• AWS Solution Architect certification (required).
• Experience planning, managing, and coordinating multiple concurrent tasks with strict deadlines for large-scale cybersecurity designs integrated with business-critical systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of the software development, enhancement, and maintenance lifecycle.
• Ability to perform complex technical tasks.
• Strong technical understanding of cybersecurity deployment, functionality, and operation of capabilities including SIEM, EDR, CDM, penetration testing, DevSecOps, Identity and Access Management, and AWS GovCloud systems.
• Experience with EKS, ECS, and containerized environments.
• Strong knowledge of recent technological advances in computer science and engineering.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional AWS certifications such as AWS Certified Security – Specialty, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, or AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty.
• Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, NIST SP 800-160 Vol. 1 (Systems Security Engineering), NIST SP 800-207 (Zero Trust Architecture), OMB M-22-09, and Executive Order 14028.
• Experience with FedRAMP-approved cloud service provider integration in federal environments.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation) and policy-as-code frameworks.
• Familiarity with the client Technology Standards and Products Guide and client Lifecycle Management Methodology (LMM).

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions is a security-focused IT solutions provider serving public clients nationwide. Named one of the fastest-growing privately held companies by Inc. 5000, Washington Technology’s Fast 50, and Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the D.C. area, Valiant prides itself on providing employees with great benefits and career development opportunities. We are committed to growing careers as much as building world-class IT solutions, all while maintaining an unparalleled work-life balance.

We seek individuals whose talents and accomplishments contribute to a thriving company, who demonstrate the character to support their capacity, and who can positively impact our culture. Alongside our talented team, you’ll expand your personal and professional skill set, learn to think quickly on your feet, and challenge yourself to grow as a practitioner in the fast-paced IT security industry. Our management team inspires new perspectives and trusts employees to deliver results leveraging their expertise.

Benefits

• Valiant pays 99% of Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for full-time employees.
• Valiant contributes 25% toward health coverage for family and dependents.
• 100% paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance for full-time employees.
• 100% paid certifications.
• 401K matching up to 4%.
• Paid Time Off and paid federal holidays.
• Wellness & Fitness Program.
• Valiant University – Online Education and Training Portal.
• FSA programs for Medical Costs, Dependent Care, Transit, and Parking.
• Referral Bonuses.

Remote Work Policy

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in employees. To ensure performance, all telecommuting employees must:

• Maintain a quiet, distraction-free workspace with adequate internet.
• Dedicate full attention to job duties during working hours.
• Align schedules with core business hours to match coworkers and clients.
• Keep cameras on during virtual video conferences, as encouraged or required.

Employees must disclose any current or future outside employment engagements and obtain written approval. Outside business activities may not be conducted during core business hours.

Physical Demands

• Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods and consistent computer operation.
• Frequent communication via electronic means, phones, and in person.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving of moderate weight, typically less than 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.