System Architect

Job Summary

Aptive is seeking a System Architect with experience in enterprise architecture and assisting organizations efforts to enhance Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Programs.

ZTA is an enterprise cybersecurity architecture composed of Zero Trust concepts focused on component relationships, workflow planning, and access policies. This VA program aligns to the Office of Information & Technology (OIT) Vision for Digital Transformation focused on the priority of achieving operational excellence through implementing a discipline of security excellence at VA.

The team shall build on the initial ZTA assessment conducted at VA and build conceptual, logical, and implementation/engineering plans for use cases across all Zero Trust pillars including Identity, Device, Network, Application, Data, Architecture, Automation, and Visibility. They shall support the governance pillar in creating, implementing, and providing support for the necessary requirements and outcomes of the ZTA assessment and above-mentioned mandates.

The team shall provide iterative updates for pillar use cases while accounting for a risk based and dependency-based priority of capabilities and shall provide direct support to the VA ZTA Program Management Office (PMO), as well as shall work with ZTA Pillar Leads to implement capabilities in VA operational environment, starting with VA's most critical information systems, while minimizing disruption to move VA's assessed implementation from Traditional to Advanced, then to Optimal capabilities per OMB, CISA directives and DoD guidance.

This position is remote or onsite at Aptive Headquarters, in Alexandria, VA with normal operating hours of 0800 - 1700 EST Monday to Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager, Government PM and Director in scoping, preparation, assessing, risk management, and consulting on best practices.
• Analyze monthly Zero Trust assessments of VA against CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model and assist with creation of a Maturity Dashboard for the Monthly Maturity Scorecard showing each of the pillars' capability grouping measurements.
• Produce a Quarterly Maturity Detailed Report based upon the assessment results using the CISA/DoD Zero Trust Maturity Models assessment approach. Provide an Assessment Summary detailing capability challenges and recommendations to achieve greater maturity.
• Produce a Gap Analysis and a ZTA Roadmap Capability Weighted Prioritization to target ZTA with overall recommendations.
• Lead technical working groups to assess, design, and architect roadmaps towards implementation of ZTA solutions covering least-privileged access, continuous trust verification, continuous security inspection, protection of all data, and security for all applications.
• Provide technical recommendations for ZTA initiatives by integrating new architectural features into existing infrastructures, designing cybersecurity architectural artifacts, providing architectural analysis and evaluating existing system to future needs and trends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Math, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience working as a System Architect or Engineer.
• 3+ years of technical experience with specific experience architecting cybersecurity systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to interact effectively with IT management, software development and test teams, and infrastructure teams, and with business partners.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Experience preparing, editing, and reviewing project documentation, reports, briefs, meeting materials, analysis, graphics, best practice presentations, benchmark info, interim and final deliverables.
• Experience in communicating detailed and technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain public trust clearance.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Zero Trust Architecture and assessing, aligning, and implementing such architecture within the federal government (or similar industry experience).
• Capability to research, identify, track, and advise on emerging cybersecurity technologies, tools, models and directives.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize, and work well with others.
• Ability to communicate thoughts, ideas, and solutions logically, written, graphically and orally.

About Aptive

Aptive is a modern federal consulting firm focused on human experience, digital services, and business transformation. We harness creativity, technology, and culture to connect people and systems to impact the world. We're advisors, strategists, and engineers focused on people, above all else.

We believe in generating success collaboratively, leaving client organizations stronger after every engagement and building trust for the next big challenge. Our work inspires people, fuels change and makes an impact. Join our team to be part of positive change in your community and our nation.

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.