Zero Trust Architecture Team Lead

Job Description

Description

SAIC is seeking qualified applicants to support a cutting-edge data, analytics, and AI platform. The Zero Trust Architecture Team Lead is a critical SME role in the gap analysis, roadmap, and resource planning for Zero Trust task assignments to 10+ cyber teams who are also working with other task areas that handle customer relationships, service portfolio and catalog management, software engineering & development, data/AI engineering, IT systems operations, and use case intake and analytics for DoW enterprise-scale mission objectives expected in Spring/Summer 2026.

Positions are contingent pending contract award.

The work will be performed in the Alexandria, Virginia. Some work may be performed remotely, subject to Government approval.

Job Responsibilities:

* Serve as the lead Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) consultant reporting to the CISO, advising cyber, engineering, and mission teams on design patterns, reference architectures, and implementation strategies aligned to enterprise objectives.

* Conduct enterprise-level gap analyses against DoW Zero Trust Roadmap targets, activities. Utilize engineering principles and maturity models, translating findings into prioritized, architecture-driven recommendations.

* Develop and evolve the Zero Trust roadmap with a focus on capability integration, emerging technologies, and long-term architectural coherence rather than day-to-day task execution.

* Guide integration of AI/ML capabilities into Zero Trust use cases (e.g., behavioral analytics, adaptive access control, anomaly detection), ensuring alignment with security and data governance requirements.

* Collaborate with data/CONMON/AI engineering teams to identify opportunities for automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent decision support within Zero Trust frameworks.

* Influence system design and development efforts by embedding Zero Trust principles into application architectures, data pipelines, and infrastructure solutions.

* Provide strategic advisory support to leadership, including architectural tradeoffs, technology evaluations, and risk-informed decision-making.

* Promote innovation and continuous improvement by incorporating emerging Zero Trust, AI, and cybersecurity technologies into the enterprise architecture vision.

* Collaborate closely with CMDB engineers, AI Agent Skill engineers, and Zero Trust engineers unify decision-point data with a normalized attribute model of the environment, maintaining data quality and environment observability.

Qualifications

* Bachelors & 14+ years of related experience, Masters & 12+ years of experience, or PhD or JD & 9+ years of experience

* Active TS/SCI Clearance is required.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and

Competencies:

* Deep understanding of Zero Trust Architecture frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-207) with the ability to apply them in complex, enterprise-scale cloud environments.

* Experience in cybersecurity architecture consulting, including development of reference architectures, design patterns, and technology evaluations.

* Familiarity with AI/ML applications in cybersecurity, such as user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), automated threat detection, and adaptive policy enforcement.

* Ability to influence and guide cross-functional teams (cyber, software engineering, data/AI, IT operations) without direct operational authority.

* Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity environments, including RMF, impact levels (IL2-IL6), and data protection considerations (preferred).

* Relevant DoD 8140 (or 8570 equivalent) certification required; advanced certifications (e.g., CISSP, CCSP) and exposure to AI/ML or data engineering concepts preferred.

Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

SAIC is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit  For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.