Principal Cyber Security Architect

Principal Cyber Security Architect Location : MD, NJ or MN.   12 months contract   This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days remote work.    We are looking for a Cyber Security Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Virtusa’s Client Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. You will serve as a senior cybersecurity architect responsible for defining the security architecture across a large-scale hybrid cloud platform supporting national air traffic operations. We are building with an AI-first engineering mindset, embracing emerging AI capabilities and modern development practices to accelerate delivery, improve software quality, and continuously evolve how we design and build mission-critical systems. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.   What You'll Do ·         Define and maintain the cybersecurity architecture for the L-CAP platform ·         Develop and execute the FedRAMP compliance strategy across cloud environments ·         Lead Authority to Operate (ATO) planning and execution activities ·         Conduct threat modeling and vulnerability assessments across platform components ·         Design and implement zero trust architecture principles across the enterprise ·         Establish and govern the security controls framework aligned to NIST 800-53 ·         Integrate security practices into DevSecOps pipelines and CI/CD workflows ·         Provide cybersecurity governance across four Agile Release Trains (ARTs) ·         Define security requirements for platform services and application teams ·         Perform risk assessments and recommend mitigations for emerging threats ·         Define security architecture for distributed real-time ATC services including inter-service communication protection and API gateway security ·         Establish software supply chain integrity controls including SBOM generation, artifact signing, and dependency vulnerability management ·         Design security patterns for cloud-native service communications protecting mission-critical ATC data flows ·         Champion an AI-first engineering culture by identifying and applying AI-assisted development capabilities, automation, and emerging software engineering practices that improve developer productivity, code quality, testing, and delivery.   Core Technical Qualifications: ·         Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of cybersecurity experience ·         Demonstrated cybersecurity architecture experience for enterprise platforms ·         Deep knowledge of FedRAMP authorization processes and requirements ·         Expertise in NIST 800-53 security controls and Risk Management Framework (RMF) ·         Experience leading ATO efforts for federal information systems ·         Knowledge of zero trust architecture principles and implementation patterns ·         Experience with safety-critical systems security requirements ·         Cloud security expertise across AWS and/or Azure environments ·         Understanding of distributed systems security challenges and solutions ·         Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; ship required; subject to government background investigation ·         Experience securing distributed real-time services and microservice communication patterns ·         Knowledge of software supply chain security practices (SLSA, SBOM, artifact signing, dependency scanning) ·         Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust ·         Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer   Preferred / Desired Qualifications ·         CISSP, CISM, or equivalent cybersecurity certifications ·         FAA or aviation-sector cybersecurity experience ·         Penetration testing and red team experience ·         SIEM architecture and security operations design ·         Mission assurance and continuity of operations experience ·         DoD or federal civilian agency cybersecurity programs ·         Experience securing real-time operational systems in aviation or air traffic control environments