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