Principal Security Architect — Private AI Cloud Infrastructure

Security Architecture
· Private AI Cloud
· Reston / McLean, VA

Not a traditional cloud security role. Design and secure the private cloud infrastructure used to train and operate large-scale AI systems — from GPU compute clusters and networking layers to cryptographic controls protecting sensitive models and research data.

We are partnering with a well-funded AI research organization building advanced machine learning systems that require extremely secure and resilient infrastructure. They are seeking a Principal Security Architect to lead the design of a private cloud environment used to train and operate large-scale AI systems.

“This is not a traditional cloud security role. The focus is designing and securing the infrastructure itself — at the architectural level.”

• Design Secure Infrastructure Architect a private cloud environment designed to protect highly sensitive machine learning systems and datasets.
• Network & Compute Isolation Develop security architecture for distributed GPU compute clusters — hardened networking, segmentation, and zero-trust communication between services.
• Security Architecture Define how identity, cryptography, and infrastructure controls interact across compute, storage, and networking layers.
• Threat Modeling Design systems assuming persistent adversarial pressure and build architectures that remain resilient under compromise scenarios.
• Infrastructure Automation Work with platform engineering teams to implement secure infrastructure deployments using IaC and immutable infrastructure principles.

• Thinks about infrastructure security at the architectural level, not the tool level
• Has experience securing large distributed systems at scale
• Understands both defensive security and real-world attacker behavior
• Enjoys solving difficult systems problems — not managing tools or processes

Strong candidates typically have experience with several of the following:

• Linux systems security at depth
• Kubernetes and container orchestration security
• Cloud security architecture (AWS, GCP, or private cloud)
• Hardware-rooted security — HSMs, TEEs, and confidential computing
• Infrastructure automation — Terraform or Pulumi
• Systems programming in Go, Rust, or similar

The Organization

This role is with a confidential client operating in advanced AI research. The organization is building high-performance compute infrastructure designed to support next-generation machine learning systems.

You will work alongside world‑class engineers focused on distributed systems, machine learning infrastructure, and applied security. Selected applicants may be asked to sign an NDA prior to the interview process.