AWS Cloud Security Architect

Work Model: Hybrid Onsite 3 days per week

Position Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced AWS Cloud Security Architect to support enterprise cloud security initiatives across multiple applications and platforms. This role focuses on designing secure, scalable AWS architectures aligned with enterprise security standards and industry best practices.
The ideal candidate will bring deep; hands-on AWS expertise combined with strong security architecture experience. This is not purely an engineering role the architect will be responsible for defining security strategies, influencing architectural decisions, and ensuring consistent implementation of security controls across complex cloud environments.
This position will support multiple initiatives simultaneously, requiring strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities
Design and implement secure AWS architectures aligned with enterprise security standards and AWS security best practices.
Define and implement security controls across cloud, network, data, application, and API layers.
Apply least privilege and Zero Trust principles across AWS environments.
Participate in architecture reviews and provide security guidance for new and existing applications.
Support security architecture for CI/CD pipelines, automation frameworks, and shared cloud platforms.
Identify and mitigate security risks in modern application architectures, including Gen AI-enabled solutions.
Collaborate with engineering, security, and business teams to influence and drive secure design decisions.
Support Architecture Review Board processes across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Required Qualifications
AWS Cloud Expertise
Deep, hands-on experience with AWS services in enterprise environments.
Strong experience with:
IAM policies and access management
AWS networking and account structures
AWS data services and storage architectures
AWS security pillars and best practices
End-to-end secure cloud architecture design

Security Architecture Experience
Proven experience designing and implementing cloud security architectures.

Experience implementing security controls across:
Cloud infrastructure
Network security
Data protection

Application and API security
Logging, monitoring, and observability
Strong understanding of modern security principles including least privilege and Zero Trust.

Architecture Experience
Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex architectures and apply appropriate security controls.
Candidates may come from strong AWS engineering backgrounds with evolving architecture responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and secure delivery architectures.
Understanding of Generative AI concepts and associated security risks.
Experience designing security controls for AI/ML or Gen AI-enabled applications.
AWS Professional or AWS Security Specialty certification.
CISSP or equivalent security certifications.

Soft Skills & Working Style
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to influence architectural and security decisions across teams.
Comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Able to thrive in a fast-moving environment with continuous architecture reviews.

Role Environment
Architects support multiple applications and initiatives rather than a single project.
Engagements typically run between 2 6 weeks.
Requires rapid adaptation to established AWS account structures and security models.

Interview Process
Technical Interview (40 45 minutes)
Architecture whiteboarding
Deep dive into AWS security, networking, and design decisions
Onsite Interview
Technical and general assessment
Strong preference for onsite interview (Reston or Plano)

Top 3 Skills (Hiring Manager Priority)
Strong hands-on AWS cloud experience
Proven experience leading security initiatives and implementing security controls
AWS security architecture experience across complex environments