Senior Cloud Security Architect

About GuidePoint Security

GuidePoint Security is a leading cybersecurity solutions and services firm enabling federal government organizations to make smarter security decisions that minimize risk. With more than 800 vetted technology vendor partnerships and deep practitioner expertise across every major cybersecurity domain, GuidePoint serves more than half of the U.S. Government’s cabinet-level agencies across Civilian, DoD, and Intelligence Community segments, as well as Federal System Integrators and major defense prime contractors. We are growing our federal presales engineering team and looking for technically exceptional engineers who thrive at the intersection of federal mission and cybersecurity technology.

As a Senior Cloud Security Architect, you will lead the strategic vision for protecting our multi-cloud ecosystem. You are responsible for designing the security blueprints that govern our entire digital footprint—from identity perimeters to AI-driven threat detection. This role requires a "Security as Code" mindset, where you build automated guardrails that empower developers to move at speed without compromising the safety of our data or infrastructure.

REMOTE (Work will be remote with candidates located in Morrisville, NC; Falls Church, VA; or Eagan, MN given preference. Non-local support will be considered for highly qualified candidates)

Responsibilities

• Security Architecture Vision: Lead the design of a global Zero Trust architecture, ensuring robust identity governance (IAM), network micro-segmentation, and data encryption across AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• AI-Native Security Strategy: Architect specialized security frameworks for AI/ML pipelines, focusing on data privacy for training sets, model integrity, and securing LLM-integrated applications against emerging attack vectors.
• Automated Guardrails (Policy as Code): Develop and enforce enterprise-wide security policies using Terraform, etc., ensuring that non-compliant infrastructure is automatically remediated or blocked from deployment.
• Cloud Posture Management: Design and oversee the integration of CNAPP and CSPM tools to provide real-time visibility into misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and excessive permissions.
• Threat Modeling & Resilience: Conduct deep-dive threat modeling for complex cloud-native systems, simulating advanced persistent threats (APTs) and "blast radius" scenarios to strengthen system resilience.
• Security Consultancy: Act as the lead security advisor for the Cloud Architecture team, bridging the gap between DevOps agility and rigorous regulatory compliance (SOC2).

Requirements

• Security Platforms - Mastery of cloud-native security suites (e.g., AWS Security Hub, Azure Defender, GCP Security Command Center
• Identify and Access - Expert knowledge of Identity-First Security, including CIEM, Just-In-Time (JIT) access, and complex OIDC/SAML flows.
• Automation - Proficiency in Python, Go, or Bash to build custom security automations and integrate with SOAR platforms.
• DevSecOps - Deep experience embedding automated security testing (SAST/DAST/SCA) directly into CI/CD pipelines.
• Cloud Networking - Advanced understanding of secure connectivity, including SD-WAN, Cloud WAF, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
• Embraces emerging technologies, including AI tools, to work smarter, solve problems, and drive better business outcomes

Preferred Experience

• 12+ years in Cybersecurity, with at least 6 years focused on architecting secure cloud environments at scale.
• Certifications: Top-tier credentials.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related engineering field preferred. BS degree from an accredited College/University in the applicable field of services is required, or four additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a college degree. If the individual's degree is not in the applicable field, then four additional years of related experience is required.
• Soft Skills: Strong ability to bridge the gap between "Speed of DevOps" and "Rigors of Security" while communicating clearly with executive leadership
• Leadership: Proven ability to influence technical roadmaps and present security risks clearly to C-suite stakeholders.

Core Objectives

• Zero Standing Privilege: Help Transition the organization to a "Zero Standing Privilege" model for all production environments.
• Automated Compliance: Help Achieve automated auditing for core compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, CIS Benchmarks).
• Mean Time to Detect (MTTD): Utilize AI-driven monitoring to reduce the detection time of anomalous cloud activity to minimum

Additional Provisions:

• Pass a client mandated clearance process to include drug screening, criminal history check and credit check.
• Once candidate’s resume is approved and interview passed, the agency is responsible for providing drug screening. Failure to submit the drug screening results will delay the security clearance process.
• If a candidate is given an interim clearance, continuation of employment is then based on the candidate receiving a sensitive clearance.
• All candidates must be a US Citizen or permanent status Green Card holder.
• Cannot have more than 6 months travel outside the United States within the last five years. Military Service excluded. (Exception does not include military family members.)
• All overtime must be pre-approved in writing by the client manager or his/her designated representative.
• Agency will not be reimbursed for overtime charges without previous written authorization. Authorized overtime will be reimbursed at straight time.
• The enforced dress code is business casual, i.e., collared shirt with slacks for men, no skirts above the knee for women.

“Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.”