Zero Trust Architect - Data

Overview

The Zero Trust Architecture Senior Technical Expert (STE) serves as the senior advisor and technical authority supporting the CIO’s Zero Trust program. The role is responsible for providing expertise in the design, integration, and implementation of Zero Trust principles across large enterprise IT environments, ensuring compliance with DoD, IC, and federal cybersecurity mandates. The STE will provide expert guidance on Zero Trust strategy and architecture while enabling secure digital transformation across multi‑cloud, hybrid, and mission‑critical systems and data management.

• Program Leadership & Strategy – Provide expertise to the Government ZT Program Manager on Zero Trust adoption strategies, roadmaps, and policy integration; support planning, coordination, and oversight of ZT implementation; assess current IT strategies, recommend action, operationalize Cyber IT Strategy; drive maturity assessments, gap analyses, and remediation strategies.
• Architecture & Technical Expertise – Provide expertise on ZT design and develop ZT reference architectures, conduct technical assessments across identity, device, network, application, and data layers; integrate ZT capabilities into enterprise networks, cloud, hybrid environments, and Dev Sec Ops  pipelines; support engineered ZT solutions such as cloud, data engineering, ICAM, micro‑segmentation, encryption, continuous monitoring, software‑defined perimeters.
• Governance & Compliance – Assist in developing and maintaining IT governance frameworks and SOPs aligned to ZT objectives; ensure compliance with NIST SP 800‑207, DoD Zero Trust Strategy, CISA ZT Maturity Model, RMF integration requirements; provide recommendations for mitigation and remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
• Stakeholder Communication – Collaborate with senior leadership, acquisition teams, engineers, and mission stakeholders; respond to ZT‑related data calls, executive reports, presentations, policy updates; serve as the primary technical liaison for Zero Trust engagements.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• High emotional intelligence and strong teamwork.
• Analytical skills to use data and metrics to drive decisions.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in dynamic environments.
• Risk anticipation and mitigation to maintain a resilient cybersecurity posture.
• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related discipline (preferred).
• 12+ years in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years dedicated to Zero Trust architecture, enterprise security design, and systems integration.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and deploying ZT solutions in large‑scale or government environments.
• Expertise in cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), network segmentation, endpoint protection, and hybrid IT.
• Familiarity with RMF (NIST SP 800‑37, SP 800‑53) and DIA/DoD accreditation processes.
• Certification:
  DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level III required; CISSP, CASP+, CE, CCSP or equivalent.
• Preferred: ZT vendor certifications (Palo Alto ZTNA, Microsoft SC‑300/SC‑100, Okta, AWS Security Specialty, Kubernetes Security).

Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility.