Sr. Security Architect & Engineer

Location: Tyson's Corner, VA

Department: 56219060 - AFS Cyber Strategy Risk and Architecture

As a Sr. Security Architect & Engineer, you will lead security architecture and hands-on security engineering in a fast-moving environment where the mission requires immediate execution, not policy theater. The program operates on two tracks: sustaining a legacy system while simultaneously designing and delivering a next generation replacement. This role provides the clarity, structure, and technical horsepower needed to make both tracks succeed. The position demands someone who can independently convert ambiguity into plans, stabilize compliance workflows, and guide engineers who may have inconsistent security experience. The role blends RMF modernization, DevSecOps integration, identity enforcement, and practical architecture leadership. Responsible integration of AI-supported components is included within broader security engineering duties, ensuring these elements follow established access patterns, monitoring expectations, and compliance requirements without shifting the role into data science. The focus remains on strong artifacts, repeatable processes, and steady cross-team alignment.

Required Qualifications

• 8 years in security engineering, security architecture, or mission-aligned cybersecurity roles.
• Proven ability to execute the full RMF lifecycle in complex and high-risk environments.
• Hands-on engineering experience in areas including infrastructure hardening, application security, automation, scripting, secure configuration, and continuous monitoring.
• Strong background integrating security into CI/CD pipelines.
• Deep experience with identity architecture, access enforcement, privileged access, and zero-trust-aligned patterns.
• Ability to lead without formal authority and create clarity in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, including diagrams, runbooks, and engineering-ready guidance.
• Familiarity with security considerations for AI-supported features, including secure integration, monitoring, and documentation under responsible AI policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience navigating programs with political tension, shifting leadership, or multi-contractor environments.
• Familiarity with vulnerability management operations, SOC processes, and incident response workflows.
• Experience working in high-security or mission-critical environments with strict accreditation timelines.
• Experience guiding teams with uneven or developing security skill levels.

Clearance

• An active TS/SCI with polygraph is required