Senior Cloud Security Engineer

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Cloud Security Engineer to design, implement, and safeguard robust AWS cloud environments for our top-tier client in Washington, DC. In this high-visibility role, you will bring 7+ years of broad IT expertise—including 5+ years specializing in AWS infrastructure—to architect secure, highly resilient cloud solutions, establish security guardrails, and lead DevSecOps integration. You will serve as a subject matter expert in cloud threat modeling, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure automation, ensuring multi-account AWS environments adhere to Zero Trust principles while mentoring junior engineering staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Strategy: Design and implement secure, multi-account AWS cloud architectures, landing zones (Control Tower), and identity/access management solutions using AWS IAM and IAM Identity Center based on least-privilege principles.
• Security Guardrails & Governance: Define cloud security standards, governance frameworks, and automated guardrails; lead threat modeling, risk assessments, and security architecture reviews across cloud applications and infrastructure.
• Network & Perimeter Defense: Configure robust network security controls, including VPC architecture, network segmentation, private connectivity, AWS WAF, and security group policies.
• Automation & DevSecOps: Drive end-to-end security automation using Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation) and partner with development and operational teams to embed DevSecOps controls into CI/CD pipelines.
• Posture Management & Operations: Oversee vulnerability management, cloud security posture management (CSPM), SIEM integrations (such as Microsoft Sentinel), and threat remediation efforts using native tools like Security Hub, GuardDuty, Config, CloudTrail, KMS, and Secrets Manager.
• Compliance & Leadership: Align cloud environments with industry frameworks (NIST, CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI, HIPAA), mentor junior cloud security engineers, and provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 7 years of broad IT experience across infrastructure, networking, and OS management, with at least 5 years of hands-on expertise dedicated to AWS cloud infrastructure and application security.
• AWS Core Expertise: Deep knowledge of AWS security services, containerization security (ECS, EKS), Zero Trust architecture principles, and multi-account management.
• Automation & Scripting: Strong hands-on proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or CloudFormation) and scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, or Bash).
• Compliance & Governance: Demonstrated experience implementing and enforcing compliance standards such as NIST, CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI, or HIPAA.
• Soft Skills: Proven ability to work independently, manage priority issues with urgency, drive collaborative solutions across integrated teams, and clearly communicate complex security concepts to key stakeholders.